Colgate-Palmolive Company vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Colgate-Palmolive Company trades at $90.95 (market cap $72.84B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.43 (market cap $1.41B). The key difference: Colgate-Palmolive Company is far larger — about 51.7× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (7.55%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CL | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $72.84B | $1.41B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $99.14 | $11.33 |
52-Week Low | $74.98 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $79.48B | $5.23B |
Dividend Yield | 2.33% | 7.55% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at $93.21, up 1.05% with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with 60.06% gross margins and 822.05% ROE, though valuation metrics appear elevated with a P/E of 36.13. Recent dividend declarations and positive analyst coverage (42% buy rating) support the defensive stock's appeal amid market rotation into stable cash flow names.
Outlook remains positive with a $97 consensus price target representing 4% upside, though premium valuation and North American segment softness present headwinds. The company's 64-year dividend growth streak and global diversification provide stability, while inflation pressures and competitive threats require monitoring for sustained outperformance.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.50, down 0.66% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and recent meme-driven momentum. The stock shows strong valuation metrics with a P/E of 9.74 and P/S of 0.65, but faces declining net income margins, falling to 7.58% in 2025. Recent earnings beats and a 7.1% dividend yield attract income investors, while Project Fresh initiatives aim to counter traffic and cost pressures.
Outlook remains mixed: low valuation and retail enthusiasm offer upside, but margin compression and high debt pose risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with a $7.96 price target, suggesting limited near-term growth. Key catalysts include Q2 2026 results on August 7 and international expansion progress, though competitive and inflationary headwinds persist.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →