Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive (Colgate) makes and sells oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition products in more than 200 countries and territories. Its brands include Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Darlie, elmex, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, Protex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Suavitel and Tom's of Maine. Hill's Pet Nutrition sells Hill's Prescription Diet and Hill's Science Diet pet food, mainly through pet supply retailers and veterinarians. In Q3 2026, Latin America gave 25% of net sales, Hill's 22%, Europe, Middle East and Africa 21%, North America 17% and Asia Pacific 15%.

The company says that its global market share in toothpaste was 41.4% and in manual toothbrushes 33.1% in 2026 to date. The head office is in New York. Noel Wallace is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Colgate trades at a premium because investors pay for its steady sales, its strong brands in oral care and pet food, and its strong cash flow. In Q3 2026, net sales rose 4.6% to $5,369 million and organic sales rose 3.6%, with growth in volume and in price. Base Business EPS rose 7% to $0.97, and the company now expects Base Business EPS growth of 5% to 7% for 2026, against $3.69 in 2025. But North America sales fell 1.7% in the quarter, and the company spends more on advertising and on its Strategic Growth and Productivity Program, which it expects to cost $350 million to $550 million before tax through 2028.

For the premium to be earned, three things must be true. Organic sales growth must stay near 3% or more while category growth in many markets is slow. Gross margin must keep rising while tariffs and costs change. North America and the skin health business must return to growth.

The Q4 2026 report with the 2027 outlook, expected in late January 2027, is the next test. Steady growth over several years can hold the price, and a slowdown can make the premium smaller.

1. Oct 30, 2026Passed

   Q3 2026 results: organic growthOrganic sales growth near 3% or more with higher margins passes; a decrease in volume fails.Outcome: Organic sales rose 3.6% with volume up 1.7%, and the company raised its Base Business EPS guidance for 2026.
2. Jan 29, 2027 · est.Pending

   Q4 2026 results and 2027 outlookBase Business EPS growth of 5% to 7% in 2026 and a 2027 outlook with organic growth pass; a lower outlook fails.
3. Q2 2027 · est.Pending

   North America returns to growthPositive organic sales growth in North America passes; a further decrease fails.

Every passed and failed checkpoint across all picks

• October 30, 2026Colgate reported Q3 2026 results. Net sales rose 4.6% to $5,369 million, organic sales rose 3.6% and GAAP EPS rose 3% to $0.94. Base Business EPS rose 7% to $0.97. The company narrowed its 2026 net sales guidance to growth of 4% to 5% and raised its Base Business EPS guidance to growth of 5% to 7%.
• April 30, 2026The Board approved an expansion of the Strategic Growth and Productivity Program. The company expects pre-tax charges of $350 million to $550 million in total, mostly for employee costs, and expects to complete the program by the end of 2028.
• April 8, 2026The Board elected Betsy Fishbone as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary from June 1, 2026. Jennifer Daniels, who held the role since 2014, became Vice Chair before her retirement in 2026.

Last earnings

October 30, 2026 (8-K on sec.gov)

Next earnings

Expected about January 29, 2027. The company has not confirmed the date.

• 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Sep 30, 2026Filed October 30, 2026 · cl-20260930
• 8-KEarnings releaseFiled October 30, 2026 · cl-20261030
• 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Jun 30, 2026Filed July 31, 2026 · cl-20260630
• 8-KEarnings releaseFiled July 31, 2026 · cl-20260731
• 8-KShareholder vote resultsFiled May 13, 2026 · cl-20260508
• 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Mar 31, 2026Filed May 1, 2026 · cl-20260331
• 8-KEarnings release and Exit or restructuring costsFiled May 1, 2026 · cl-20260430
• 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled April 9, 2026 · cl-20260408
• 8-KOther company newsFiled March 17, 2026 · cl-20260317
• 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled March 12, 2026 · cl-20260312

Every filing on SEC EDGAR (CIK 21665)

• Category growth is slow in many markets, and competitors and private label products can take share. North America net sales fell 1.7% and its operating profit fell 11% in Q3 2026.
• Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific gave 61% of net sales in Q3 2026. A strong U.S. dollar lowers sales and profit in dollars, and currencies in Latin America change a lot.
• Tariffs and changes in trade rules can raise the cost of raw and packaging materials. The company may not be able to pass all of the costs to customers.
• The skin health business, mainly Filorga, caused impairment charges in 2025, and the company has not yet shown a return to growth there.
• Shareholders' equity was only $288 million at September 30, 2026, because of many years of buybacks. Debt is moderate against cash flow, but the company has less room for a large purchase.

Colgate funds itself with fixed-rate notes, commercial paper and cash flow. At September 30, 2026, total debt was $7,716 million: $532 million due within one year and $7,184 million of long-term debt. Read more

Dividend yield

2.2% (last 12 months, at today’s price of $97.94)

Paid per share

$2.11 in the last 12 months (4 payments)

Current annual rate

$2.12 ($0.53 × 4 a year)

Payout ratio

78% of the last fiscal year’s earnings (the year that ended December 31, 2025)

Latest ex-dividend date

October 20, 2026, $0.53 per share

Dividends per share by year

Over the last 5 years, the dividend grew by about 3.3% a year. Over the last 10 years, the dividend grew by about 3.1% a year.

Source: company filings and market data, read on November 10, 2026. The ex-dividend date is the first day a buyer no longer gets the next payment.