Quick verdict: CHD vs CL in 2026

In this detailed CHD vs CL stock comparison 2026, Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) appears to hold a discernible edge over Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) across several key metrics. CHD emerges as the growth leader with slightly higher revenue expansion, the value leader due to more attractive valuation ratios and greater discounted cash flow upside, and the margin leader with superior net and EBITDA profitability. Analysts also favor CHD, assigning a higher percentage of Buy ratings and a more optimistic price target upside. Not investment advice.

CHD vs CL: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of CHD and CL across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-05-07.

CHD vs CL valuation comparison

When considering the CHD vs CL valuation, Church & Dwight (CHD) appears to be more favorably valued compared to Colgate-Palmolive (CL) in 2026. CHD currently trades at a P/E ratio of 30.17x, which is lower than CL’s P/E of 33.53x, suggesting that investors are paying less for CHD’s earnings. This difference indicates that CHD might offer a better entry point for investors focused on earnings multiples within the consumer defensive sector.

Furthermore, the disparity in P/B ratios is substantial. CHD has a P/B ratio of 5.28x, while CL’s P/B stands at a significantly higher 482.54x. This vast difference implies that CHD’s market value is far less inflated relative to its book value, pointing to a much more attractive valuation from a book value perspective. Additionally, the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis suggests a greater upside for CHD at +51.9%, outperforming CL’s estimated DCF upside of +33.1%. Based on these metrics, CHD appears to be the cheaper stock with potentially more room for appreciation according to intrinsic value models.

CHD vs CL growth comparison

In terms of growth, Church & Dwight (CHD) exhibits a slight edge over Colgate-Palmolive (CL) based on their latest reported revenue figures. CHD posted a year-over-year revenue growth of +1.6%, marginally surpassing CL’s +1.4% revenue growth. While both companies operate in the mature consumer defensive sector, CHD’s slightly faster top-line expansion indicates a marginally stronger momentum in increasing sales. This modest lead in revenue growth suggests that CHD is currently more effective in expanding its market reach or increasing per-unit sales compared to its larger peer.

Looking beyond top-line growth, CHD also demonstrates stronger operational profitability, which can fuel future expansion. CHD boasts a net margin of 11.81% and an EBITDA margin of 20.62%. In contrast, CL’s net margin is 10.04% and its EBITDA margin is 18.84%. Although CL shows a higher gross margin at 60.06% compared to CHD’s 45.07%, CHD’s superior performance at the net and EBITDA levels highlights better cost management and efficiency in converting revenue into profit. This stronger operational efficiency, coupled with a slightly higher revenue growth rate, points to CHD having slightly stronger overall momentum in its financial performance in 2026.

CHD vs CL profitability

Examining the profitability of CHD vs CL, Church & Dwight (CHD) generally demonstrates superior margins, indicating more efficient operations. CHD reports a net margin of 11.81%, which is notably higher than Colgate-Palmolive’s (CL) net margin of 10.04%. This means that for every dollar of revenue, CHD retains more as profit after all expenses. Similarly, CHD’s EBITDA margin stands at a robust 20.62%, surpassing CL’s 18.84%. These figures underscore CHD’s effectiveness in managing its operating costs and generating higher profits from its core business activities.

However, when considering Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield, Colgate-Palmolive takes a slight lead. CL’s FCF yield is 5.38%, which is higher than CHD’s 4.82%. This metric suggests that CL generates more cash from its operations relative to its market capitalization, indicating strong cash generation capability that could be used for dividends, debt reduction, or share buybacks. Both companies have an N/A% for Return on Equity (ROE), preventing a direct comparison on this specific metric. Despite CL’s slightly better FCF yield, CHD’s higher net and EBITDA margins indicate a stronger overall command over its profitability at the operational level.

Analyst ratings: CHD vs CL

When we consider the analyst sentiment for CHD vs CL, Church & Dwight (CHD) appears to be the more favored stock among professional analysts. Out of 34 analysts covering CHD, 52.9% have issued a “Buy” rating. The consensus among these analysts is a “Buy” for CHD, with a target price of $103.8. This target price represents a potential upside of +11.0% from its current price of $93.51, reflecting a positive outlook on the company’s future performance.

In contrast, Colgate-Palmolive (CL) receives a slightly less enthusiastic reception from analysts. With 45 analysts covering CL, 42.2% recommend a “Buy,” which is lower than CHD’s percentage. The consensus for CL is a “Hold,” indicating a more cautious stance. Analysts have set a target price of $94.9 for CL, which implies an upside of +8.8% from its current price of $87.21. While both companies have a “B+” FMP rating, the higher percentage of buy ratings and greater price target upside for CHD suggest that analysts collectively view Church & Dwight as having a more compelling investment thesis at this time.

Should I buy CHD or CL stock in 2026?

Deciding whether should I buy CHD or CL stock in 2026 depends on an investor’s specific priorities, but a deeper dive into their fundamentals and valuation reveals distinct advantages for each. For growth-oriented investors, Church & Dwight (CHD) presents a compelling case. With a revenue growth rate of +1.6% compared to CL’s +1.4%, CHD exhibits slightly stronger top-line momentum. Furthermore, CHD’s superior net margin of 11.81% and EBITDA margin of 20.62% against CL’s 10.04% and 18.84% respectively, suggest better operational efficiency and profitability, which are crucial for sustainable growth.

For value investors, the CHD vs CL fundamentals and valuation comparison clearly favors Church & Dwight. CHD trades at a lower P/E ratio of 30.17x versus CL’s 33.53x, and an astronomically lower P/B ratio of 5.28x compared to CL’s 482.54x. This significant difference in valuation multiples, coupled with CHD’s substantially higher DCF upside of +51.9% (vs. CL’s +33.1%), indicates that CHD offers a more attractive valuation for investors seeking undervalued opportunities.

For income-focused investors, neither stock offers a particularly high yield, but Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has a marginally better dividend yield of 0.02% compared to CHD’s 0.01%. While this difference is minimal, it might sway investors prioritizing even a slight edge in dividend payouts. Overall, considering the stronger growth momentum, more attractive valuation metrics, and higher analyst favorability, Church & Dwight (CHD) appears to be the more appealing choice for many investors in 2026. This is not investment advice.

More CHD and CL comparisons

CHD full stock analysis · CL full stock analysis · All stock comparisons

FAQ: CHD vs CL