COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO (CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company, founded in 1806 and incorporated in Delaware in 1923, with a stated purpose of reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and the planet. It aims to drive organic sales growth, consistent earnings per share growth, operational efficiencies and free cash flow growth. It does so by leveraging the global reach of its brands, science-based innovation, an agile supply chain, omni-channel demand generation, and capabilities in data, analytics and AI. Its products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories.

The company operates in two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care, and Pet Nutrition. In Oral Care, it holds global leadership in toothpaste and manual toothbrushes, with brands such as Colgate, Darlie, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso and Tom's of Maine, plus mouthwashes and pharmaceutical products for dental professionals. Personal Care includes liquid hand soap (Palmolive, Protex, Softsoap), bar soaps, shower gels, deodorants and antiperspirants, shampoos and conditioners, and skin health products such as EltaMD, Filorga and PCA SKIN. Home Care includes dishwashing liquids, household cleaners (Ajax, Fabuloso, Murphy) and fabric conditioners (Suavitel, Soupline). In 2025, Oral, Personal and Home Care accounted for 44%, 17% and 16% of Net sales, respectively. Through Hill's Pet Nutrition, which accounted for 23% of Net sales, the company sells specialty dog and cat food in over 80 countries under Hill's Science Diet (Science Plan in Europe), Hill's Prescription Diet and Prime100, a fresh pet food brand sold in Australia.

Oral, Personal and Home Care products are sold to retailers, wholesalers and distributors worldwide, while Pet Nutrition products are sold through authorized pet supply retailers, veterinarians and eCommerce retailers. Some products are sold direct-to-consumer. Walmart and its affiliates accounted for about 11% of 2025 Net sales, and no other customer exceeded 10%. Roughly two-thirds of revenues come from outside the United States, and Oral Care is a substantial part of the business in Asia Pacific. Products are supported by advertising, promotion and increasingly digital marketing, and are sold by a direct sales force, distributors and brokers.

Most raw and packaging materials, such as resins, essential oils, tropical oils, pulp, tallow, corn, poultry and soybeans, are purchased from other companies and are available from several sources, though certain key materials come from single-source or limited suppliers. The company faces vigorous competition from multinational and local competitors, private label brands and new eCommerce and direct-to-consumer entrants, competing on pricing, promotions, new products and expansion into new geographies and channels. It considers trademarks material and holds patents, none of which is individually significant. It is subject to extensive regulation, including by the FDA, FTC, EPA and comparable foreign authorities. As of December 31, 2025, it had about 33,600 employees in over 100 countries, with over 84% located outside the United States.