Colgate-Palmolive stock holds below $90 after Q2 beat
Published on 08/22/2026 at 11:26 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Colgate-Palmolive (US1941621039) stock closed at $89.69 on August 20, 2026, after the company reported second-quarter EPS of $0.99 on July 31, 2026 and revenue of $5.36 billion. The shares still trade below the $90 mark while the latest quarter keeps the earnings story front and center.
Profit beat, but the bar stayed high
MarketBeat's summary of the July 31, 2026 results said the company beat consensus by $0.04 per share, with revenue up 4.9% from $5.11 billion a year earlier to $5.36 billion. The same update put the market cap at $71.49 billion and the consensus price target at $99.00, which leaves the stock below both that target and its own 52-week high of $99.33.
The comparison is clear: a $0.99 quarterly EPS print and $5.36 billion in sales were enough to extend the company's earnings record, but not enough to lift the shares back toward the year-high range. That gap matters because valuation still leaves little room for a stumble.
Margin gains support the outlook
A separate August 21, 2026 analysis said base-business operating profit rose 5% to $1.1 billion and operating margin improved to 21.4%, even as management kept advertising elevated and flagged higher second-half raw-material and tariff costs. It also said the 2026 sales framework remains net sales growth of 2% to 6% and organic sales growth of 1% to 4%.
For investors, the key detail is that the quarter improved by multiple measures at once: EPS of $0.99, revenue of $5.36 billion, and operating margin of 21.4% all point in the same direction. The harder question is whether those gains can outpace the cost pressure now expected later in the year.
Oral care remains the anchor
Colgate-Palmolive's core lineup still starts with oral care, led by Colgate toothpaste and related everyday products that anchor the company's household and personal-care reach. That mix helps explain why the stock is often treated as a defensive consumer staple rather than a growth compounder.
Shares stay in range
Colgate-Palmolive shares last changed hands at $89.69 on August 20, 2026, with a 52-week range of $74.54 to $99.33 and a market cap of $71.49 billion. The stock sits below its 52-week high, but the latest quarter and the raised 2026 profit view keep the debate centered on execution rather than the brand portfolio alone.
Fact box
Company: Colgate-Palmolive Company
ISIN: US1941621039
Ticker: CL
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 20, 2026, 3:59 p.m. ET): $89.69 USD
Market cap: $71.49 billion (as of August 20, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Consumer Staples / Household Products
Index membership: S&P 500
More on Colgate-Palmolive stock
Colgate's scale still rests on daily-use brands and a high recurring purchase rate, which gives it a steadier earnings base than many consumer names. The latest quarter shows why the stock keeps drawing income and defensive buyers even when valuation looks demanding.
