Compare Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Colgate-Palmolive Company vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Colgate-Palmolive Company trades at $92.22 (market cap $74.26B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.54 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4.3× Colgate-Palmolive Company's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.6%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $74.26B | $323.00B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $99.14 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $74.98 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $80.74B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 2.6% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at $93.27, up 0.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.99, exceeding estimates, driven by strong margins and organic growth in emerging markets, though North American performance remains weak. Operating cash flow remains robust at $4.2 billion in 2025, supporting shareholder returns.
Outlook is mixed: valuation appears stretched with a P/E of 36.72, but analyst consensus targets $99.10. Risks include competitive pressures in North America and high debt levels. The stock offers a stable dividend, but growth concerns and insider selling warrant caution.
MRK trades at $130.90, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional buying interest. The stock shows robust fundamentals with revenue of $65.01B in 2025 and net income of $18.25B, though a high P/E of 104.74 indicates premium valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $139.90, offering ~7% upside, supported by 67.57% analyst buy ratings. Risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and patent expirations, but strong cash flow and dividend payments provide stability. Investors may find value in Merck's market leadership and pipeline expansion, though valuation metrics warrant caution.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Colgate-Palmolive Company
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
