Hindustan Unilever vs Colgate-Palmolive: share price, P/E, ROE and financials compared
Hindustan Unilever
Colgate Palmolive (India)
Hindustan Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive at a glance
Hindustan Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive are both listed in Fast Moving Consumer Goods. Hindustan Unilever is the larger by market cap, at ₹4.7L Cr against ₹45,666 Cr for Colgate-Palmolive (10.3 times as large). On valuation, Hindustan Unilever has the lower price-to-book (9.62× against 28.23×), while Colgate-Palmolive has the lower P/E (33.5× against 44.4×). On returns and margins, Colgate-Palmolive has the higher ROCE (107.4% against 22.2%), the higher ROE (85.1% against 21.6%) and the higher operating margin (30.1% against 23.1%). Over three years, Hindustan Unilever has faster 3-year profit growth (+14.1% against +8.2% a year), while Colgate-Palmolive has faster 3-year sales growth (+4.9% against +2.3% a year). Neither carries much debt for its equity: debt-to-equity is 0.03× for Hindustan Unilever and 0.03× for Colgate-Palmolive.
Key metrics, side by side
| Metric | Hindustan UnileverHINDUNILVR | Colgate-PalmoliveCOLPAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price (₹) | 1,998.40 | 1,679.00 |
| Market cap (₹ Cr) | 4,69,542 | 45,666 |
| P/E | 44.4× | 33.5× (the lower figure, shaded) |
| P/B | 9.62× (the lower figure, shaded) | 28.23× |
| Dividend yield, trailing | 2.05% | 2.86% (the higher figure, shaded) |
| ROE | 21.6% | 85.1% (the higher figure, shaded) |
| ROCE | 22.2% | 107.4% (the higher figure, shaded) |
| Operating margin (OPM) | 23.1% | 30.1% (the higher figure, shaded) |
| Net margin (NPM) | 22.0% (the higher figure, shaded) | 21.3% |
| Sales CAGR 3Y | +2.3% | +4.9% (the higher figure, shaded) |
| Profit CAGR 3Y | +14.1% (the higher figure, shaded) | +8.2% |
| Debt to equity | 0.03× | 0.03× |
| Interest cover | 34.7× | 471.7× (the higher figure, shaded) |
| Net profit TTM (₹ Cr) | 15,062 | 1,362 |
| 1Y return | −19.0% (the higher figure, shaded) | −23.0% |
| Promoter holding | 61.90% | 51.00% |
Hindustan Unilever vs Colgate-Palmolive: common questions
Which is bigger, Hindustan Unilever or Colgate-Palmolive?
By market cap, Hindustan Unilever is bigger at ₹4.7L Cr, against ₹45,666 Cr for Colgate-Palmolive (prices as of 6 Nov 2026). Net profit over the last twelve months was ₹15,062 Cr for Hindustan Unilever and ₹1,362 Cr for Colgate-Palmolive.
Which has a lower P/E ratio, Hindustan Unilever or Colgate-Palmolive?
Hindustan Unilever trades at a P/E of 44.4× and Colgate-Palmolive at 33.5×. Colgate-Palmolive has the lower P/E. P/E is the share price divided by earnings per share; it varies a lot between industries and with growth, so it says little on its own.
Which has a higher ROE, Hindustan Unilever or Colgate-Palmolive?
Hindustan Unilever reports a return on equity of 21.6% and Colgate-Palmolive 85.1%. Colgate-Palmolive has the higher ROE. ROE is net profit as a share of shareholders’ equity.
Which is growing faster, Hindustan Unilever or Colgate-Palmolive?
Over the last three years: Sales grew +2.3% a year at Hindustan Unilever and +4.9% at Colgate-Palmolive, so Colgate-Palmolive grew sales faster; profit grew +14.1% a year at Hindustan Unilever and +8.2% at Colgate-Palmolive, so Hindustan Unilever grew profit faster. Past growth doesn’t predict future growth.