Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Key Points

• Colgate reported a quarterly beat with $0.97 EPS versus a $0.95 consensus and revenue of $5.32B (up 8.4% YoY), driven by accelerated organic sales in emerging markets and outperformance at Hill’s pet care.
• Management flagged margin pressure from roughly $300 million of incremental raw‑materials and logistics costs and lowered full‑year gross‑margin expectations, while keeping EPS guidance intact and expanding its Strategic Growth and Productivity Program to target $200–$300M of annualized savings by end‑2028.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.53 (annualized $2.12, ~2.4% yield), the stock traded up about 2.1% on the print, and analyst views remain mixed with an average target near $95.56.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL - Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The company reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.02, Briefing.com reports. Colgate-Palmolive had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 353.72%. The business had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.22 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.91 earnings per share. Colgate-Palmolive's revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Colgate-Palmolive's conference call:

• Colgate delivered accelerated organic sales and volume growth, led by emerging markets (notably Asia Pacific and Latin America) with broad-based category strength and continued investment in advertising, digital and AI capabilities.
• Management added roughly $300 million of incremental raw‑materials and logistics costs (assuming oil around $110/barrel) and lowered full‑year expectations for gross margin, though EPS guidance was maintained.
• The Strategic Growth and Productivity Program (SGPP) savings target was updated to $200M–$300M of annualized savings by end‑2028, with most benefits expected in 2027–2028 to fund growth investments and support EPS.
• North America remains a laggard on volume—impacted by late shelf resets and delayed product shipments—with management outlining a multi‑initiative turnaround (innovation, RGM, promo changes) that should drive sequential improvement but will take time.
• Hill’s pet care outperformed, showing strong organic growth ex‑private label, volume gains in Prescription and Science Diets, and management expects private‑label headwinds to taper by the back half of the year.

Colgate-Palmolive Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of CL stock traded up $1.79 on Friday, hitting $87.15. The stock had a trading volume of 8,932,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,680,817. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.82, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The business has a 50 day moving average of $87.95 and a 200 day moving average of $84.06. Colgate-Palmolive has a 12-month low of $74.54 and a 12-month high of $99.33. The stock has a market cap of $69.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.34.

Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 20th will be issued a $0.53 dividend. This is an increase from Colgate-Palmolive's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 20th. Colgate-Palmolive's dividend payout ratio is currently 80.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on CL. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $88.00 to $79.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $100.00 to $95.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Monday, March 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $102.00 price objective on shares of Colgate-Palmolive in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Colgate-Palmolive presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $95.56.

More Colgate-Palmolive News

Here are the key news stories impacting Colgate-Palmolive this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 top‑ and bottom‑line beat — Colgate reported EPS of $0.97 vs. $0.95 consensus and revenue of $5.32B (up 8.4% YoY), driven by pricing and volume growth; organic sales rose and base business EPS increased. Colgate Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates on Pricing & Volume Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Strong international demand for core oral and personal care boosted results and topline momentum, a cited driver behind the beat. Colgate‑Palmolive beats Q1 estimates on strong international demand
• Positive Sentiment: Board expands strategic growth & restructuring program — management is accelerating a multi‑year program (approved July 2025) intended to drive growth and cost savings, which supports margin recovery expectations. Colgate‑Palmolive Expands Strategic Growth and Restructuring Program
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary and slides — the earnings call and slide deck provide detail on region‑level trends, pricing versus volume dynamics, and the timing of savings from the restructuring program. Review the transcript/slides for forward commentary. Colgate‑Palmolive Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts updated forecasts ahead of and after the print — some revisions were already in place heading into the quarter; keep an eye on any further changes to price targets or model assumptions. Colgate‑Palmolive Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure and one‑time/SGPP charges — GAAP EPS fell YoY (to $0.80) and gross profit margin slipped ~20 bps; management flagged costs and restructuring/SGPP charges that weighed on margins this quarter. These items are a watch point for near‑term profitability until savings materialize. Colgate Announces 1st Quarter 2026 Results

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Sally Massey sold 15,851 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total value of $1,506,320.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 13,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,306,757.53. This represents a 53.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider John Hazlin sold 20,989 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $1,978,213.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 17,645 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,663,041.25. This trade represents a 54.33% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 184,683 shares of company stock worth $17,486,693 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.43% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Colgate-Palmolive

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Jessup Wealth Management Inc purchased a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Triumph Capital Management lifted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 62.9% during the 4th quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 329 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Motiv8 Investments LLC purchased a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Kelleher Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Colgate-Palmolive during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 80.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Colgate-Palmolive Company Profile

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company with a long history in household and personal care categories. The business traces its roots to the early 19th century and has evolved into a multinational manufacturer and marketer of everyday consumer goods focused on health, hygiene and home care.

The company's core activities center on oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition. Its product portfolio includes toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash in oral care; soaps, body washes and deodorants in personal care; dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners and other household products in home care; and scientifically formulated pet foods under its pet nutrition business.

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