Colgate-Palmolive Company (
CL), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. This
dividend champion has paid uninterrupted dividends on its common stock since 1895 and increased payments to common shareholders every for 48 consecutive years. The company's last dividend increase was in February 2011 when the Board of Directors approved a 9.40% increase to 58 cents/share. Colgate-Palmolive ‘s largest competitors include
Procter & Gamble (
PG), Kimberly-Clark (
KMB) and Clorox (
CLX).
Over the past decade this
dividend growth stock has delivered an annualized total return of 7% to its shareholders.
The company has managed to deliver a 9.40% annual increase in EPS since 2002. Analysts expect Colgate-Palmolive to earn $5.38 per share in 2012 and $5.90 per share in 2013. In comparison Colgate-Palmolive earned $4.94 /share in 2011. The company has managed to consistently repurchase 1.30% of its outstanding shares on average in each year over the past decade.
Colgate generates over 60% of its sales from outside of the US. The growing emerging markets in Latin America and Asia and the rising middle class in these markets could present an excellent opportunity for Colgate Palmolive. Latin America accounts for one third of sales, while Asia/Africa accounts for over one fifth of sales. The issue with overexposure to Latin America is that the continent has been prone to currency devaluations, which could impact profitability.