Results
Colgate-Palmolive Announces 3rd Quarter 2026 Results
Net sales increased 4.6%; Organic sales* increased 3.6%, including a 0.2% negative impact from lower private label pet food sales
4GAAP EPS increased 3% to $0.94; Base Business EPS* increased 7% to $0.97
7GAAP Gross profit margin increased 80 basis points to 60.2%; Base Business Gross profit margin* increased 90 basis points to 60.3%
Net cash provided by operations was $2,913 million for the first nine months of 2026
The Company’s leadership in toothpaste continued with its global market share at 41.4% year to date
The Company’s leadership in manual toothbrushes continued with its global market share at 33.1% year to date
6The Company narrowed its sales guidance and raised its gross profit margin and Base Business earnings per share guidance for full year 2026
*Indicates a non-GAAP financial measure.
Please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this release for definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and to “Table 6 - Geographic Sales Analysis Percentage Changes” and “Table 8 - Non-GAAP Reconciliations” included with this release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP measures.
New York, New York, October 30, 2026 …Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) today reported results for third quarter 2026.
Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Base Business third quarter results, “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.
As was the case last quarter, gross profit, gross profit margin, operating profit, operating profit margin, net income, earnings per share and free cash flow all increased year over year.
2“We remain focused on executing our 2030 strategy, with an emphasis on driving premium, science-based innovation, and we continue to invest behind our brands globally supported by another double-digit increase in advertising this quarter.
“Despite consumer uncertainty and ongoing macroeconomic volatility, our proactive focus on driving growth while building flexibility into our P&L gives us confidence we can navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver consistent, compounded earnings per share growth and drive long-term shareholder value.”
Full Year 2026 Guidance
Based on current spot rates:
5The Company now expects net sales to be up 4% to 5% (versus 2% to 6% previously), including a low-single-digit positive impact from foreign exchange.
3The Company now expects organic sales growth to be broadly in line with its nine-month performance (versus 1% to 4% previously).
This includes the impact from our exit from the private label pet food business.
On a GAAP basis, the Company now expects gross profit margin to be up (versus roughly flat previously) and still expects advertising to be up on both a dollar basis and as a percentage of net sales and double-digit earnings per share growth.
8On a non-GAAP (Base Business) basis, the Company now expects gross profit margin to be up (versus roughly flat previously) and still expects advertising to be up on both a dollar basis and as a percentage of net sales; it also now expects 5% to 7% earnings per share growth (versus mid-single-digit growth previously).
Divisional Performance
See attached "Table 6 - Geographic Sales Analysis Percentage Changes" and "Table 5 - Segment Information" for additional information on net sales and operating profit by division.
Table may not sum due to rounding.
(1) The Company has recast its historical geographic segment information to conform to the reporting structure effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Recast historical geographic segment information can be found on the Company's website.
*Indicates a non-GAAP financial measure.
Please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this release for definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and to “Table 6 - Geographic Sales Analysis Percentage Changes” included with this release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP measures.
(1) The Company has recast its historical geographic segment information to conform to the reporting structure effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
*Indicates a non-GAAP financial measure.
Please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this release for definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and to “Table 8 - Non-GAAP Reconciliations” included with this release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP measures.
At approximately 7:00 a.m. ET today, the Company will post its prepared materials regarding third quarter results to the Investor Center section of its website at https://investor.colgatepalmolive.com/events-and-presentations.
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet.
Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Axion, Darlie, elmex, EltaMD, Fabuloso, Filorga, hello, Hill’s Prescription Diet, Hill’s Science Diet, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, meridol, PCA SKIN, Prime100, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Sorriso, Soupline, Speed Stick, Suavitel and Tom’s of Maine.
1We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting community wellbeing and improving children’s oral health through our Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached approximately two billion children and their families since 1991.
For more information about Colgate-Palmolive and how we make more smiles, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.
Management uses market share information as a key indicator to monitor business health and performance.
References to market share in this press release are based on a combination of consumption and market share data provided by third-party vendors, primarily Nielsen, and internal estimates.
Except as otherwise noted, all market share references represent the percentage of the dollar value of sales of our products, relative to all product sales in the category in the countries in which the Company competes and purchases data (excluding Venezuela from all periods).
Market share data is subject to limitations on the availability of up-to-date information.
In particular, market share data is currently not generally available for certain retail channels, such as eCommerce and certain club retailers and discounters.
The Company measures year-to-date market shares from January 1 of the relevant year through the most recent period for which market share data is available, which typically reflects a lag time of one or two months.
The Company believes that the third-party vendors it uses to provide data are reliable, but it has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data or any assumptions underlying the data.
In addition, market share information reported by the Company may be different from market share information reported by other companies due to differences in category definitions, the use of data from different countries, internal estimates and other factors.
Such statements may relate, for example, to sales or volume growth, net selling price increases, organic sales growth, profit or profit margin levels, earnings per share levels, financial goals, category growth rates, the impact of foreign exchange, the impact of developments in global trade relations and tariffs, the impact of geopolitical events and tensions, wars and military conflicts, such as in Ukraine and the Middle East, cost reduction plans (including the Strategic Growth and Productivity Program), tax rates, interest rates, new product introductions, digital capabilities, commercial investment levels, acquisitions, divestitures, share repurchases or legal or tax proceedings, among other matters.
These statements are made on the basis of the Company ’ s views and assumptions as of October 30, 2026.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Moreover, the Company does not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements.
Copies of these filings may be obtained upon request from the Company ’ s Investor Relations Department or on the Company ’ s website at www.colgatepalmolive.com.
Base Business: Base Business refers to non-GAAP measures of operating results that exclude certain items.
Base Business operating results exclude, as applicable, charges related to the Strategic Growth and Productivity Program and the ERISA litigation matter and acquisition-related costs.
Organic sales growth: Net sales growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments.
Free cash flow before dividends: Net cash provided by operations less Capital expenditures.
Management believes the organic sales growth measure provides investors and analysts with useful supplemental information regarding the Company ’ s underlying sales trends by presenting sales growth excluding the external factor of foreign exchange as well as the impact from acquisitions and divestments.
See “Geographic Sales Analysis Percentage Changes” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 versus 2025 included with this release for a comparison of Organic sales growth to Net sales growth in accordance with GAAP.
Gross profit, Gross profit margin, Selling, general and administrative expenses, Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales, Other (income) expense, net, Operating profit, Operating profit margin, Non-service related postretirement costs, Effective income tax rate, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Diluted earnings per common share are disclosed on both an as reported (GAAP) and Base Business (non-GAAP) basis.
These non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that, either by their nature or amount, management would not expect to occur as part of the Company’s normal business on a regular basis, such as restructuring charges, charges for certain litigation and tax matters, acquisition-related costs, gains and losses from certain divestitures and certain other unusual, non-recurring items.
Investors and analysts use these financial measures in assessing the Company’s business performance, and management believes that presenting these financial measures on a non-GAAP basis provides them with useful supplemental information to enhance their understanding of the Company’s underlying business performance and trends.
These non-GAAP financial measures also enhance the ability to compare period-to-period financial results.
See “ Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 included with this release for a reconciliation of these financial measures to the related GAAP measures.
The Company uses these financial measures internally in its budgeting process, to evaluate segment and overall operating performance and as factors in determining compensation.
While the Company believes that these financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company ’ s underlying business performance and trends, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
As management uses free cash flow before dividends to evaluate the Company ’ s ability to satisfy current and future obligations, pay dividends, fund future business opportunities and repurchase stock, the Company believes that it provides useful information to investors.
Free cash flow before dividends is not a measure of cash available for discretionary expenditures since the Company has certain non-discretionary obligations such as debt service that are not deducted from the measure.
See “ Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ” for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 for a comparison of free cash flow before dividends to Net cash provided by operations as reported in accordance with GAAP.
(See attached tables for third quarter results.)
Contacts
(1) Marketable securities of $85 , $107 and $193 as of September 30, 2026, December 31, 2025 and September 30, 2025, respectively, are included in Other current assets.
Tables may not sum due to rounding.
(1) The Company has recast its historical geographic segment information to conform to the reporting structure effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
(2) Corporate operations include costs related to stock options and restricted stock units, research and development costs, Corporate overhead costs, restructuring and related implementation charges and gains and losses on sales of non-core product lines and assets.
Corporate Operating profit (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 included charges resulting from the Strategic Growth and Productivity Program of $29 and $327, respectively.
Corporate Operating profit (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 included charges resulting from the ERISA litigation matter of $15 and acquisition-related costs of $9.
Table may not sum due to rounding.
(1) The Company has recast its historical geographic segment information to conform to the reporting structure effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
(2) Emerging Markets include Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), Africa, the Middle East and Eastern and Central Europe.
Table may not sum due to rounding.
(1) The impact of the acquisition of the Prime100 pet food business on as reported volume was 0.2%, 0.8% and 0.3% for Total Company, Hill's Pet Nutrition and Developed Markets, respectively.
(2) The Company has recast its historical geographic segment information to conform to the reporting structure effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
(3) Emerging Markets include Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), Africa, the Middle East and Eastern and Central Europe.
The impact of non-GAAP adjustments may not necessarily equal the difference between “GAAP” and “non-GAAP” as a result of rounding.
(1) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
(2) The impact of non-GAAP items on the Company’s effective tax rate represents the difference in the effective tax rate calculated with and without the non-GAAP adjustment on Income before income taxes and Provision for income taxes.
The impact of non-GAAP adjustments may not necessarily equal the difference between “GAAP” and “non-GAAP” as a result of rounding.
(1) The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
(2) The impact of non-GAAP items on the Company’s effective tax rate represents the difference in the effective tax rate calculated with and without the non-GAAP adjustment on Income before income taxes and Provision for income taxes.
22 boilerplate lines (safe-harbor disclaimer, contacts, call details) are set aside.