Colgate-Palmolive Company EV/EBITDA
Data as of June 01, 2026
EV/EBITDA
16.06
Enterprise Value
$79.02B
EBITDA (TTM)
$4.92B
Sector
Consumer Defensive
How It's Calculated
16.06 = $79.02B ÷ $4.92B
What This Means
Colgate-Palmolive Company's EV/EBITDA of 16.1 is in a moderate range for Consumer Defensive.
About Colgate-Palmolive Company
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in Household & Personal Products. With a market capitalization of about $72.12B, it ranks as a large-cap stock — a major established company.
Shares recently traded near $90.13, within a 52-week range of $74.55 to $99.33 (-9.3% from the high, +20.9% from the low). Beta of 0.30 indicates relatively lower volatility versus the market.
Trailing profit margin is about 10.0%, signaling a solid profit margin for its industry.
Understanding This Metric
EV/EBITDA is widely used when comparing companies with different debt loads because enterprise value includes net debt while EBITDA approximates operating cash earnings power. For Colgate-Palmolive Company, the ratio should be read with growth, capex needs, and cycle position in Consumer Defensive. Pair EV/EBITDA with free cash flow yield and net debt metrics before drawing conclusions — especially when EBITDA is depressed or boosted by one-time items.
Using This Number in Practice
Near 16.06x EV/EBITDA, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) carries an elevated EV/EBITDA multiple that may embed growth expectations or scarcity within its peer set. Enterprise value of about $79.02B and EBITDA near $4.92B form the ratio — adjust for one-time items before treating the headline multiple as comparable.
Credit and LBO workflows often sort names on EV/EBITDA before drilling into free cash flow and maintenance capex. Pair this view with the EV/EBITDA calculator and the CL metrics hub for related valuation pages.
Sector Comparison
Among Consumer Defensive names on our S&P 100 coverage, Colgate-Palmolive Company's EV/EBITDA of 16.06 can be compared with peers such as WMT (22.14), COST (30.63), KO (22.31). Sector context helps interpretation, but each company's growth profile and balance sheet differ — use multiple metrics before drawing conclusions. View all Consumer Defensive stocks.
Key Takeaways
- CL is grouped in the Consumer Defensive sector for peer comparisons.
- Recent beta of 0.30 suggests lower-than-market price sensitivity.
- Trailing profit margin of 10.0% provides context for how much earnings support the headline multiple.
Related Tools & Guides
Explore calculators and guides connected to this metric, or view all metrics for CL.
Other CL Metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CL's EV/EBITDA?
EV/EBITDA compares enterprise value to operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Colgate-Palmolive Company's ratio is about 16.06 — common for comparing leveraged companies in Consumer Defensive.
Is 16.06 high or low vs peers?
Among Consumer Defensive peers (e.g. COST (30.63), KO (22.31), WMT (22.14)), CL's 16.06 should be read with growth, capex, and debt levels.
When is EV/EBITDA misleading?
EBITDA ignores capex, working capital, and stock-based comp; negative or tiny EBITDA makes the ratio meaningless. Cross-check with free cash flow and net debt.
Calculate the ev/ebitda for any stock with our free calculator.
Open EV/EBITDA Calculator →