Colgate-Palmolive reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.95 for the fourth quarter, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.91. Net sales rose 5.8% year-over-year to $5.23 billion, beating analysts’ projection of $5.12 billion. Management highlighted growth across all major categories, led by strong performance in oral care and pet nutrition, excluding private-label products.

As a Dividend King with 63 consecutive years of payout increases, Colgate-Palmolive continues to appeal to income-focused investors. After years of lagging the S&P 500 in total return, the stock has outperformed by an 8-to-1 margin so far in 2026, delivering a 16.8% gain. This recent rally reflects renewed confidence in the company’s ability to drive both organic growth and shareholder distributions.

Following the quarter’s results, several Wall Street firms adjusted their outlooks. Goldman Sachs maintained its Buy recommendation and raised its price target, citing effective pricing strategies and resilient brand leadership. Other analysts also revised their projections upward, pointing to better-than-expected margin expansion and steady cash-flow generation.

Colgate-Palmolive projected full-year sales of $20.79 billion to $21.61 billion, ahead of the street estimate of $20.98 billion. Management anticipates continued pricing gains of roughly 2.5% to 3% to offset volume pressures. Latin America emerged as a standout, delivering mid-single-digit organic sales growth driven by favorable currency effects, increased volumes and higher realized prices in both oral care and pet nutrition segments.