Is Colgate-Palmolive Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Core Viewpoint - Colgate-Palmolive Company is experiencing stock underperformance despite stable sales growth, with a focus on reaccelerating growth amid global market uncertainties [4][5]. Company Overview - Colgate-Palmolive Company is a major global consumer products company based in New York City, manufacturing and marketing oral care, personal care, home care, and pet nutrition products across more than 200 countries [1]. - The company has a market capitalization of $63.82 billion, classifying it as a "large-cap" stock [1]. Stock Performance - Colgate's stock reached a 52-week high of $100.18 in March but has since declined approximately 21% [2]. - Over the past three months, the stock has decreased by 7.9%, while the S&P 500 Index has gained 4.1% [2]. - In the past 52 weeks, Colgate's stock has fallen by 16.6%, and over the last six months, it has decreased by 14.5%, contrasting with the S&P 500's gains of 11.2% and 13.9% during the same periods [3]. Financial Results - For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Colgate reported net sales of $5.13 billion, a 2% year-over-year increase, aligning with Wall Street analysts' consensus [4]. - The company's EPS increased by 1% year-over-year to $0.91, surpassing the $0.89 Street estimate [4]. Competitive Position - Colgate is positioned as an outperformer compared to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which has seen a 24.1% decline over the past 52 weeks and a 25.8% drop over the past six months [5]. Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a moderately bullish outlook on Colgate's stock, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 21 analysts [6]. - The mean price target is $86.71, indicating a 9.5% upside from current levels, while the highest price target of $100 suggests a 26.3% upside [6].