Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) and its peers.

Household products stocks are generally stable investments, as many of the industry's products are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Recently, there's been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences for environmentally conscious options. These trends can be double-edged swords that benefit companies who innovate quickly to take advantage of them and hurt companies that don't invest enough to meet consumers where they want to be with regards to trends.

The 10 household products stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some household products stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.4% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q4: Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL)

Formed after the 1928 combination between toothpaste maker Colgate and soap maker Palmolive-Peet, Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) is a consumer products company that focuses on personal, household, and pet products.

Colgate-Palmolive reported revenues of $4.94 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ EBITDA and organic revenue estimates.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) today reported results for fourth quarter and full year 2024. Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Base Business fourth quarter and full year results, “We are pleased to have delivered another quarter and full year of strong organic sales growth along with increases in gross profit, gross profit margin, net income, earnings per share and cash flow. Our goals for 2024 were to deliver peer leading growth while funding investment for future growth and building flexibility into our P&L to counter macro headwinds. We delivered on those goals, leaving us well positioned to deliver against our guidance in 2025."

Colgate-Palmolive delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. The stock is down 1.6% since reporting and currently trades at $89.47.

Is now the time to buy Colgate-Palmolive? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT)

Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.

Central Garden & Pet reported revenues of $656.4 million, up 3.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $37.21.

Is now the time to buy Central Garden & Pet? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD)

Best known for its Arm & Hammer baking soda, Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD) is a household and personal care products company with a vast portfolio that spans laundry detergent to toothbrushes to hair removal creams.

Church & Dwight reported revenues of $1.58 billion, up 3.5% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.

As expected, the stock is down 1% since the results and currently trades at $106.

Read our full analysis of Church & Dwight’s results here.

Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB)

A leader in multiple consumer product categories, Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB) is a diversified company with a portfolio of trusted brands spanning home appliances, garden care, personal care, and pet care.

Spectrum Brands reported revenues of $700.2 million, up 1.2% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 0.6%. In spite of that, it was a strong quarter as it logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 4.4% since reporting and currently trades at $79.22.

Read our full, actionable report on Spectrum Brands here, it’s free.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB)

Originally founded as a Wisconsin paper mill in 1872, Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) is now a household products powerhouse known for personal care and tissue products.

Kimberly-Clark reported revenues of $4.93 billion, flat year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

The stock is up 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $138.79.

Read our full, actionable report on Kimberly-Clark here, it’s free.

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