EarningsQ2 2026 Earnings Report
MX:CL Q2 2026 EPS Results
Actual EPS$17.06
Consensus EPS$16.32
Beat/MissBeat by +$0.74
One Year Ago EPS$15.85
MX:CL Q2 2026 Revenue Results
Actual Revenue$92.36B
Expected Revenue$92.31B
Beat/MissBeat by +$57.92M
YoY Revenue Growth+4.91%
Earnings Announcement Details
QuarterQ2 2026
Date07/31/2026
TimeBefore Open
Conference CallFriday, July 31, 2026
MX:CL Upcoming Earnings
Colgate-Palmolive's next earnings date is estimated for October 30, 2026, based on past reporting schedules.
Q2 2026 Earnings Call Audio
MX:CL Q2 2026 Earnings Call
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Q2 2026 Earnings Slide Deck
Q2 2026 Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call communicated a predominantly constructive operating performance — broad-based organic growth across divisions, meaningful gross margin expansion, improved guidance, strong free cash flow (+18%) and sizable shareholder returns ($1.4B). Hill's and emerging markets were notable growth drivers, and management is increasing investment in advertising, innovation and AI. Offsetting these positives are persistent macro and category headwinds: U.S. softness and volatility, retailer inventory destocking (shipments down ~3%), private-label pressure in pet (-200 bps impact), and the risk of higher raw material and tariff costs in H2. Management emphasized prudent guidance and specific remedial actions for the U.S. business while citing confidence in the global operating model.Company Guidance
Broad-Based Organic Growth
Organic sales growth was achieved in 4 of 5 divisions and 3 of 4 categories; the company reported year-to-date organic sales of ~2.6% and noted strong performance across emerging markets and Europe.
Gross Margin Expansion and Improved Outlook
Gross margin expanded ~100 basis points in Q2 (also cited as ~90 bps vs. prior quarter); management raised full-year gross margin guidance to roughly flat (improved from prior down guidance) after strong RGM, pricing, mix and productivity.
Strong Cash Generation and Shareholder Returns
Free cash flow increased 18% year-over-year and the company returned $1.4 billion to shareholders in the first half of fiscal 2026.
Hill's / Pet Business Outperformance
Hill's delivered strong results: organic growth ex-private-label ~4% (U.S. up ~4%), therapeutic and wet segments showed healthy volume and pricing, e-commerce performed well (including Prime Day), and Prime (Australia) is accelerating with a phased fresh rollout and robust manufacturing execution.
Emerging Markets and Country Highlights
Emerging markets led sales growth (mid-single digits) with standout country performance: Brazil up high-single-digits, Mexico up mid-single-digits, India up double-digits, Greater China delivering mid-single-digit growth; Latin America organic was ~+5% with pricing ~+2.8% and volume ~+2.6%.
Investment in Brand, Innovation and AI
Management is increasing brand support and innovation funding (advertising increased double-digits), scaling Promo AI and other AI/data capabilities, and reports meaningful upskilling (e.g., ~70% of VP-level trained in advanced AI) and movement from pilots into scale.
Earnings and Operating Performance
Base business EPS came in ahead of expectations despite a double-digit increase in advertising as a percent of sales; operating margin and mix improvements contributed to profitability.
MX:CL Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed