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CL vs KMB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Colgate-Palmolive (CL) vs. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Colgate-Palmolive (CL) delivered stronger year-to-date performance than Kimberly-Clark (KMB) through late July 2026, with YTD returns approximately 5-9 percentage points higher depending on the exact measurement period.
- Both companies reported solid organic sales growth in recent quarters, supported by innovation, productivity initiatives, and pricing power in the consumer staples sector.
- CL's second-quarter 2026 results showed net sales growth of 4.9% and base business earnings per share (EPS) growth of 8%, while KMB's first-quarter results highlighted volume and mix gains with reaffirmation of full-year outlook.
- Market sentiment for both stocks reflects defensive qualities amid macroeconomic uncertainty, with CL showing relatively better momentum in recent market activity.
- Risk factors include exposure to currency fluctuations, commodity costs, and competition in mature personal care and hygiene categories for both companies.
- Relative positioning favors CL in recent performance metrics, though both remain stable dividend payers with established global brands.
Introduction
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Kimberly-Clark (KMB) represent two established players in the consumer staples sector, offering investors exposure to essential personal care, oral hygiene, and household products. This comparison examines their recent stock behavior, operational developments, and relative positioning in the current market environment. Traders and investors focused on defensive equities, dividend consistency, and sector rotation within staples may find the analysis relevant for assessing diversification or tactical allocation opportunities between these two names.
CL Overview and Recent Performance
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) operates in oral care, personal care, home care, and pet nutrition through brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, and Hill's Science Diet. In recent market activity, the stock benefited from second-quarter 2026 earnings released on July 31, which showed net sales rising 4.9% and organic sales increasing 2.4%. Base business EPS grew 8% to $0.99, reflecting productivity gains and innovation despite a modest GAAP EPS decline. Broader sentiment has been supported by consistent organic growth and reaffirmed full-year guidance, contributing to outperformance versus peers in recent weeks.
KMB Overview and Recent Performance
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) focuses on tissue, personal care, and baby and child care products under brands including Kleenex, Huggies, and Kotex. Recent performance reflects first-quarter 2026 results from late April, which delivered organic sales growth of 2.5% driven by volume and mix improvements alongside productivity savings. The company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook amid ongoing macroeconomic pressures. In recent weeks, the stock has traded with measured stability, showing modest year-to-date gains but trailing broader market benchmarks on a longer-term basis.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Kimberly-Clark (KMB) share defensive business models centered on branded consumer essentials, yet differ in category focus—CL emphasizes oral and pet care while KMB centers on tissue and hygiene products. Growth drivers for both include innovation and operational efficiency, though CL’s recent earnings showed slightly stronger organic momentum. In recent market activity, CL has exhibited superior relative performance and trend consistency compared with KMB’s more measured trajectory. Risk factors overlap in currency translation, input costs, and retailer concentration, but sector exposure remains broadly similar within staples. Market sentiment has generally favored stability, with CL displaying modestly better positioning amid the latest reporting cycle.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including stronger year-to-date returns, recent earnings momentum, and relative trend consistency, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to Colgate-Palmolive (CL) over Kimberly-Clark (KMB). This assessment reflects CL’s edge in recent performance metrics without implying certainty or future outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CL is a Hold and KMB is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CL’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKMB’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- CL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KMB’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CL’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KMB’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CL’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KMB’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CL (@Household/Personal Care) experienced а -1.57% price change this week, while KMB (@Household/Personal Care) price change was +0.87% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Household/Personal Care industry was -1.22%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.84%.
Reported Earning Dates
CL is expected to report earnings on Oct 23, 2026.
KMB is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Household/Personal Care (-1.22% weekly)Household/Personal Care companies sell products for home cleaning and/or personal hygiene and grooming purposes. Products of this industry include detergents, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, fabric conditioners and infant care fragrances. Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Estee Lauder and Colgate-Palmolive are some of the biggest names in the business. A lot of the products become a necessary part of people’s daily routine, and therefore the industry is relatively less vulnerable to macroeconomic downturns. At the same time, product quality, consumer safety, and ease of use are extremely critical factors for a company to survive competition and earn recognition in this industry.
| CL | KMB | CL / KMB | |
| Capitalization | 72.4B | 36.1B | 201% |
| EBITDA | 3.84B | 3.21B | 120% |
| Gain YTD | 17.087 | 11.770 | 145% |
| P/E Ratio | 35.31 | 21.48 | 164% |
| Revenue | 21B | 16.6B | 127% |
| Total Cash | 1.37B | 542M | 253% |
| Total Debt | 7.86B | 7.08B | 111% |
CL | KMB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 75 | 76 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 93 Overvalued | 22 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 65 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 6 | 10 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 53 | 53 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 28 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 65 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
KMB's Valuation (22) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is significantly better than the same rating for CL (93). This means that KMB’s stock grew significantly faster than CL’s over the last 12 months.
CL's Profit vs Risk Rating (65) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KMB (100). This means that CL’s stock grew somewhat faster than KMB’s over the last 12 months.
CL's SMR Rating (6) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as KMB (10). This means that CL’s stock grew similarly to KMB’s over the last 12 months.
CL's Price Growth Rating (53) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as KMB (53). This means that CL’s stock grew similarly to KMB’s over the last 12 months.
CL's P/E Growth Rating (14) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as KMB (28). This means that CL’s stock grew similarly to KMB’s over the last 12 months.
| CL | KMB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 35% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 37% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 44% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 43% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 45% | 8 days ago 42% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 44% | 3 days ago 51% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 40% | 2 days ago 36% |
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KMB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KMB has been loosely correlated with CL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KMB jumps, then CL could also see price increases.