Colgate-Palmolive tops Q3 adjusted profit estimates

Overview

• US oral and personal care maker's Q3 sales rose 4.6% yr/yr, slightly beating analysts' expectations

• Adjusted EPS beat analyst expectations, rising 7% yr/yr

• Company raised full yr 2026 gross margin and EPS guidance

Outlook

• Colgate-Palmolive now sees 2026 net sales up 4% to 5%, narrowing prior range of 2% to 6% growth

• Company expects 2026 organic sales growth broadly in line with nine-month performance

• Company raises 2026 Base Business EPS growth outlook to 5% to 7% from single-digit growth

Result Drivers

• SALES GROWTH - Organic sales rose 3.6%, supported by 1.7% volume growth and 2.0% pricing, while private label pet food sales dipped 0.2%

• VOLUME IMPROVEMENT - Co reported fourth consecutive quarter of sequential volume growth

• INCREASED ADVERTISING - Co said it continued to invest behind its brands with another double-digit increase in advertising in Q3

Company press release:

Key Details

*Applies to a deviation of less than 1%; not applicable for per-share numbers.

Analyst Coverage

• The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 13 "strong buy" or "buy", 9 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

• The average consensus recommendation for the personal products peer group is "hold."

• Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Colgate-Palmolive Company is $99.50, about 6.8% above its October 29 closing price of $93.16

• The stock recently traded at 23 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 23 three months ago

Reuters Recommended Reads

• Oct 28 - Unilever tops Q3 sales estimates, raises dividend

• Oct 30 - Kenvue Q3 sales slightly beat expectations on self care segment growth

• Oct 28 - Higher prices lift Danone third-quarter sales

For questions concerning the data in this report, contact Estimates.Support@lseg.com. For any other questions or feedback, contact reuters.support@thomsonreuters.com.

(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)