A O Smith Corp vs Colgate-Palmolive Company — how do they compare? A O Smith Corp trades at $63.65 (market cap $8.65B), while Colgate-Palmolive Company trades at $92.17 (market cap $73.59B). The key difference: Colgate-Palmolive Company is far larger — about 8.5× A O Smith Corp's market cap, and Colgate-Palmolive Company pays the higher dividend (2.3%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AOS | CL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.65B | $73.59B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $80.47 | $99.14 |
52-Week Low | $55.78 | $74.98 |
Enterprise Value | $9.15B | $80.07B |
Dividend Yield | 2.26% | 2.3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AOS trades at $62.41, down 2.45% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and key support at $60. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.03, beating estimates, driven by North America strength. Revenue remains stable at $3.83B for 2025, with strong profitability margins including a 38.59% gross margin and 14.26% net income margin. Recent leadership transition saw Kevin Wheeler retire as Executive Chairman, with Stephen Shafer taking over.
The stock offers a 7.8% upside to the $67.25 consensus price target, supported by solid cash flow and a dividend yield. Risks include exposure to input cost pressures and weaker China demand, as noted in Q2 results. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 33% buy ratings, but institutional selling by Amundi in Q1 2026 warrants monitoring for momentum shifts.
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at $93.15, down 0.13% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.99, beating estimates, with 4.9% sales growth driven by emerging markets. However, North American weakness persists, and valuation ratios like P/E of 36.34 and P/B of 311.81 appear elevated. Cash flow remains positive, and a dividend of $0.53 is scheduled for August 2026.
Outlook is mixed: strong brand presence and dividend sustainability support the stock, but high valuation and domestic challenges pose risks. Analyst consensus price target is $99.10, implying modest upside, with 42% buy ratings. Key risks include competitive pressures and margin compression from inflation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →Since its founding in 1806, Colgate-Palmolive has grown to become a leading global consumer product company. In addition to its namesake oral care line, the firm manufactures shampoos, shower gels, deodorants, and home care products that are sold in over 200 countries (international sales account for about 70% of its consolidated total, including approximately 45% from emerging regions). It also owns specialty pet food maker Hill's, which sells its products through veterinarians and specialty pet retailers.
Read more on CL →