$CL · COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
Colgate-Palmolive filed its 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. Q3 net sales were $5.369B (+4.6% YoY), with organic sales growth of 3.0%. Diluted EPS was $0.94 vs $0.91 a year ago. Gross margin expanded to 60.2% and operating margin was 20.3%. Nine-month operating cash flow rose 6% to $2.913B.
- Q3 net sales rose 4.6% YoY to $5.369B, with organic sales growth of 3.0%.
- Q3 diluted EPS of $0.94 beat prior-year $0.91; gross margin reached 60.2%.
- Nine-month operating cash flow increased 6% to $2.913B, driven by higher net income and working capital improvements.
- Hill's Pet Nutrition Q3 organic sales grew 5.7% YoY, the strongest segment performance.
- Nine-month Other (income) expense, net surged to $370M from $58M, compressing nine-month operating profit to $3.069B from $3.214B.
Extended-hours trading shows CL at $97.98, up 5.17% vs the regular-session close of $93.16, indicating a strong positive reaction to the Q3 beat and 60.2% gross margin.
Colgate's 60.2% gross margin and 3.0% organic sales growth demonstrate pricing power and operational discipline in a challenged CPG environment, though the North America organic decline of 1.7% warrants monitoring.
Colgate's 60.2% gross margin and 3.0% organic sales growth outpace many CPG peers facing volume pressure, though the North America segment declined 1.7% on an organic basis — a weak spot in an otherwise strong quarter.
The Strategic Growth and Productivity Program carries estimated cumulative pre-tax charges of $350M–$550M, with 70–80% in employee-related costs. Nine-month Other (income) expense, net ballooned to $370M from $58M, largely from restructuring charges of $177M.