T vs. CL

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) and CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) are both stocks. T operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services), while CL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, T returned 2.10%/yr vs 4.55%/yr for CL. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. CL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, T achieves a -7.04% return, which is significantly lower than CL's 18.45% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed CL with an annualized return of 2.10%, while CL has yielded a comparatively higher 4.55% annualized return.

T

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 2.62%
• 6M: -2.84%
• YTD: -7.04%
• 1Y: -13.37%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 2.10%
• ALL TIME*: 9.35%

CL

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 3.33%
• 6M: 10.74%
• YTD: 18.45%
• 1Y: 8.51%
• 3Y*: 8.51%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 4.55%
• ALL TIME*: 10.30%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

T vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-7.04%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company	18.45%	-10.98%	16.57%	3.78%	-5.44%	2.08%	27.17%	18.60%	-19.19%	17.88%

Correlation

The correlation between T and CL is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 1984	0.31

Fundamentals

Market Cap T : $152.52B CL : $73.56B
EPS T : $3.05 CL : $2.59
PE Ratio T : 7.19 CL : 35.53
PEG Ratio T : 0.30 CL : 9.18
PS Ratio T : 1.25 CL : 3.57
Total Revenue (TTM) T : $125.65B CL : $20.80B
Gross Profit (TTM) T : $105.41B CL : $12.49B
EBITDA (TTM) T : $54.70B CL : $3.92B

Return for Risk

T vs. CL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 22
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
T Omega Ratio Rank: 20
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
T Martin Ratio Rank: 23

CL

CL Risk / Return Rank: 55
CL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
CL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
CL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

T vs. CL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	T	CL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.57	0.38	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	0.71	-1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.08	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.46	0.50	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.03	0.90	-1.94

T vs. CL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.57, which is lower than the CL Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T and CL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

T vs. CL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than CL's maximum drawdown of -58.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and CL.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	CL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-58.91%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.89%	-16.97%	-11.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.89%	-29.05%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-29.05%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-29.05%	-13.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.57%	-11.42%	-10.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-11.24%	-4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.94%	9.45%	+3.49%

Volatility

T vs. CL - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 9.59% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 7.69%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	CL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.59%	7.69%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.91%	17.58%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.72%	22.48%	+1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.38%	19.05%	+5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	19.86%	+4.06%

Dividends

T vs. CL - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, more than CL's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company	2.28%	2.61%	2.18%	2.40%	2.36%	2.10%	2.05%	2.48%	2.79%	2.11%	2.37%	2.25%
T AT&T Inc.	6.58%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and CL in my portfolio?

T and CL have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or CL?

T has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to CL (7.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs CL's -58.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.38 vs -0.57), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.