Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) Q3 2026 Earnings
Base Business EPS excludes Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges of $30 million pre-tax ($26 million after tax, $0.03 per diluted share); GAAP diluted EPS was $0.94
How Did CL Stock React to Q3 2026 Earnings?
Did CL Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results
Yes. Colgate-Palmolive Company reported Q3 2026 earnings of $0.97 a share on Oct 30, 2026, beating the $0.93 consensus estimate by 4.8%. Revenue was $5.4B against a $5.3B estimate.
Colgate-Palmolive delivered a convincing third quarter, with adjusted EPS of $0.97 beating the $0.93 consensus estimate by 4.83%, marking six consecutive quarters of topping Wall Street's EPS expectations. Revenue rose 4.6% year over year to $5.37 billion, edging past the $5.33 billion consensus, as organic sales growth of 3.6% was powered by 1.7% volume gains and 2.0% in pricing. The single most compelling driver was the breadth of the beat, with CEO Noel Wallace noting net sales and organic sales grew across all four product categories and four of five geographic divisions, including a standout 12.5% net sales surge in Latin America. Base Business gross margin expanded 90 basis points to 60.3%, even as advertising spending climbed to $775 million, a further double-digit increase. <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/10/26/is-this-safe-haven-stock-overvalued-the-hidden-risk-facing-colgate-palmolive-on-oct-30/">Questions about valuation</a> heading into the report have not dimmed management's confidence; the company raised its full-year Base Business EPS growth guidance to 5% to 7% and now expects gross margin to expand on both a GAAP and adjusted basis, versus a prior forecast of roughly flat.
- Organic sales up 3.6%, driven by 1.7% volume growth and 2.0% pricing
- Fourth consecutive quarter of sequential improvement in worldwide volume growth
- GAAP gross margin up 80 bps to 60.2%; Base Business gross margin up 90 bps to 60.3%
- Latin America organic sales up 6.0%, with operating profit up 17%
- Hill's Pet Nutrition organic sales up 5.7%, with operating profit up 5%
- Emerging Markets organic sales up 5.4%
- Global toothpaste share of 41.4% and manual toothbrush share of 33.1% year to date
- Advertising increased to $775 million from $674 million
“Our growth momentum continued, delivering another strong quarter of broad-based top- and bottom-line growth with net sales and organic sales increasing in all four categories and in four of five divisions. We were particularly pleased to have delivered our fourth quarter of sequential improvement in worldwide volume growth, while delivering strong pricing growth in the third quarter.”
Colgate-Palmolive Company CEO, on the earnings call
What Is Colgate-Palmolive Company's Outlook?
For full year 2026, based on current spot rates: - Net sales are now expected to grow 4% to 5% (previously 2% to 6%), including a low-single-digit positive FX impact. - Organic sales growth is expected to be broadly in line with nine-month performance (previously 1% to 4%), including the impact of the exit from private label pet food. - On a GAAP basis, gross profit margin is now expected to be up (previously roughly flat), advertising is expected to rise in dollars and as a percentage of sales, and EPS growth is expected to be double-digit. - On a Base Business basis, gross margin is now expected to be up (previously roughly flat), advertising is expected to rise in dollars and as a percentage of sales, and EPS growth is now expected at 5% to 7% (previously mid-single-digit).
CL YoY Financials
| Metric | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Year over year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $5.4B | $5.1B | +4.6% |
| Gross Profit | $3.2B | $3.0B | +6.0% |
| Operating Income | $1.1B | $1.1B | −0.8% |
| Net Income | $751.0M | $735.0M | +2.2% |
CL Revenue by Segment
CL Revenue by Geography
When Does Colgate-Palmolive Company Report Next?
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.