Colgate-Palmolive Company vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Colgate-Palmolive Company trades at $92.43 (market cap $73.59B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.5 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4.4× Colgate-Palmolive Company's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.59B | $321.77B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $99.14 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $74.98 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $80.07B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 2.3% | 2.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at $92.54, down 0.65% on the day, with neutral technical signals and strong fundamentals. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.99, beating estimates, with 4.9% revenue growth and margin expansion. Recent news highlights director share sales and mixed regional performance, particularly weakness in North America despite global strength.
CL offers stable dividend returns and consistent earnings but faces valuation concerns with a P/E of 36.34 and competitive pressures in key markets. Analyst consensus targets $99.10 with 42% buy ratings, suggesting moderate upside potential balanced against premium valuation and domestic market challenges.
MRK trades at $133.6, up 2.06% today, near its 52-week high. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving average support. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, with Q3 2026 expected at $2.27 EPS. The company's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while revenue growth remains steady at $65.01B in 2025.
MRK presents a positive outlook with a consensus price target of $140.36, indicating potential upside. Strong institutional buying and a 67.57% buy rating from analysts support bullish sentiment. Risks include rising debt-to-asset ratios and competitive pressures in the pharma sector. The dividend yield of $0.85 per half-year adds income appeal for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →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 →