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Cresco Labs

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Industry Household & Personal Products
Employees 10,000+
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FY2019 Annual Report · Cresco Labs
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ACCELERATING GROWTH
ACCELERATING GROWTH
ACCELERATING GROWTH

Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report
Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report
Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report

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300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 

and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 

and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 

and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 

Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 

Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 

Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 

Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 

Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 

Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 

wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 

wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 

wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 

Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 

Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 

Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 

building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.

building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.

building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.

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2019 AT A GLANCE

Net Sales By 
Geographic Region
Net Sales By 
Geographic Region
22% North America
23% Latin America 
22% North America
16% Europe 
23% Latin America 
17% Asia Pacific 
16% Europe 
  6% Africa/Eurasia 
17% Asia Pacific 
16% Hill’s Pet Nutrition 
  6% Africa/Eurasia 
16% Hill’s Pet Nutrition 

Net Sales By 
Market Maturity
Net Sales By 
Market Maturity
52% Developed Markets
48% Emerging Markets 
52% Developed Markets
48% Emerging Markets 

#1

Market Share  
In Toothpaste  
Worldwide

$15.7B

Worldwide  
Net Sales

57

Consecutive  
Years Of  
Dividend Increases

$3.1B

Operating  
Cash Flow

$2.8B

Cash Returned  
To Shareholders  
Through Dividends And 
Share Repurchases

#1

Company In  
Household Products 
Industry By Dow Jones 
Sustainability Indices

Colgate Introduces    
Of-Its-Kind Recyclable Toothpaste Tube

1ST

Colgate’s first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube, 
which is certified by the Association of Plastic Recyclers, 
is made from the same plastic used to make bottles, 
so it recycles like a bottle and squeezes comfortably 
like a tube. Consistent with the Company’s values and 
sustainability goals, Colgate is sharing this innovative 
technology with other companies as part of its 
campaign to increase recyclability of toothpaste tubes.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Corporate Office

Colgate-Palmolive Company

300 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022-7499

(212) 310-2000

Stock Exchange

The common stock of Colgate- 

Palmolive Company is listed 

and traded on the New York 

Stock Exchange under the 

symbol CL. 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Our transfer agent, Computershare, 

can assist you with a variety of 

Independent Registered  

Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Communications to the  

Board of Directors

Colgate shareholders and other  

interested parties are encouraged  

to communicate directly with the  

Reports and Policies

Annual reports, press releases, 

company brochures, SEC filings and 

other publications are available on our 

website at www.colgatepalmolive.com. 

Also available on our website is our most 

recent Sustainability information and 

Colgate’s policies on Diversity of Colgate 

People, Code of Conduct, Ingredient 

Company’s independent directors as a 

Safety, No Deforestation, Environmental, 

group, individual independent directors 

Occupational Health & Safety and 

and committee chairs by sending an 

email to directors@colpal.com or by 

writing to Directors, c/o Office of the 

Product Safety Research. For information 

about our products and our Programs 

and Policies on Animal Research and 

Chief Legal Officer, Colgate-Palmolive 

Development of Alternatives, please call 

Company, 300 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, 

1-800-468-6502.

shareholder services including change 

New York, NY 10022. Such communica-

of address, stock transfers, questions 

about dividend checks, direct deposit 

tions are handled in accordance with the 

Investor Relations

procedures described in the Governance 

1-855-322-3551 or (212) 310-2575 

of dividends and Colgate’s Direct Stock 

section of the Company’s website at 

Purchase Plan.

www.colgatepalmolive.com.

Direct Stock Purchase Plan

A Direct Stock Purchase Plan is 

available through Computershare, 

our transfer agent. The Plan includes 

dividend reinvestment options, offers 

SEC and NYSE Certifications

The certifications of Colgate’s Chief 

Executive Officer and Chief Financial 

Officer, required under Section 302 of 

the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, have 

optional cash investments by check or 

been filed as exhibits to Colgate’s Annual 

1-800-756-8700 or (781) 575-3301

Forward-Looking Statements

automatic monthly payments, as well 

as many other features. If you would 

like to learn more about the Plan or to 

enroll, please contact Computershare:

Computershare 

PO Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233

web.queries@computershare.com

Email: 

Website:

www.computershare.com/investor

Hearing impaired:  

TDD 1-800-952-9245

Annual Meeting

Colgate’s shareholders are invited to at-

tend our annual meeting, which will be 

held exclusively online via live webcast. 

It will be held at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, 

May 8, 2020 and can be accessed at 

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/

CL2020. Even if you plan to attend the 

virtual meeting, please vote by proxy. 

You may do so by using the telephone, 

the internet or your proxy card.

Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 

December 31, 2019. In addition, in 

2019, Colgate’s Chief Executive Officer 

submitted the annual certification to the 

NYSE regarding Colgate’s compliance 

with the NYSE corporate governance 

listing standards.

This 2019 Annual Report may contain 

forward-looking statements. These 

statements are made on the basis of 

our views and assumptions as of this 

time, and we undertake no obligation to 

update these statements. We caution 

investors that any such forward-looking 

statements are not guarantees of future 

performance and that actual events or 

results may differ materially from those 

statements. Investors should consult 

the Company’s filings with the Securities 

and Exchange Commission (including the 

information set forth under the caption 

“Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 

December 31, 2019) for information 

about certain factors that could cause 

such differences. 

Email: 

investor_relations@colpal.com

Institutional Investors: 

Call John Faucher at (212) 310-3653

Consumer Affairs

For Oral, Personal and Home Care

1-800-468-6502

For Hill’s Pet Nutrition

1-800-445-5777

Corporate Communications

(212) 310-2551

Media Inquiries

(212) 310-2670

Email:

colpal.com

colgate_palmolive_media_inquiries@ 

More information about Colgate and our 

products is available on the Company’s 

website at www.colgatepalmolive.com.

© 2020 Colgate-Palmolive Company

Design by Robert Webster Inc. (RWI), 

  www.rwidesign.com

Major Photography by Greg Morris

    www.gregmorrisphotographer.com 

Printing by Universal Wilde

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C 
 
 
DEAR COLGATE SHAREHOLDERS

is now available in both Europe and North America, and, 
as of 2019, a total of 16 Colgate manufacturing facilities 
have achieved Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) 
TRUE Zero Waste certification. Our sustainability efforts 
were recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices 
for the third year in a row and Colgate was named the 
leading company in the household products industry for 
the first time.
  As we begin 2020, we remain sharply focused on our 
sustainability commitments and have strong plans in 
place to continue our organic sales growth momentum 
and to maximize productivity across the income 
statement.

Driving Organic Sales Growth
Our growth strategy centers around three key initiatives: 
driving premium innovation in our core businesses, 
pursuing adjacent categories and expanding in faster-
growing channels and markets.

Noel Wallace  
President and  
Chief Executive Officer

As reflected in the title of this year’s annual report, 
2019 was a year of Accelerating Growth for Colgate. Net 
sales increased 1.0% from 2018 and organic sales, or 
net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and 
divestments, grew 4.0%*. Encouragingly, our growth 
accelerated throughout the year, as each quarter’s 
growth increased sequentially from the prior quarter. 
Our growth was broad based, as we delivered organic 
sales growth in every division and across all four of our 
categories: oral care, personal care, home care and pet 
nutrition. We increased advertising investment both on 
an absolute basis and as a percent of net sales versus 
2018 and believe our investments in advertising and 
innovation drove our growth.
  We maintained our strong balance sheet and 
increased operating cash flow, which led the Board of 
Directors to authorize an increase in the quarterly cash 
dividend, effective in the second quarter of 2019. This 
was our 57th consecutive year of dividend increases  
and our 124th consecutive year paying 
a dividend. 
  We also made significant prog-
ress on our sustainability initiatives. 
We launched the first-of-its-kind  
recyclable toothpaste tube, which 

The global relaunch of Hill’s Science 
Diet pet food with upgraded recipes, 
improved kibble shapes and redesigned 
package graphics generated strong 
growth for Hill’s in 2019.

*For a reconciliation of organic sales growth to net sales growth, see page 43 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2019 Annual Report | 1

 
  We are accelerating growth through the core of our 
business, which is a significant part of our portfolio. 
In 2019, we advanced our toothpaste portfolio with 
a major relaunch behind Colgate Total, including new 
breakthrough technology. Now in over 100 countries, this 
innovation allowed us to take pricing on Colgate Total, 
which accelerated our organic sales growth and helped 
grow the multi-benefit segment. In 2019, Colgate Total 
delivered its strongest organic sales growth in three 
years, led by key markets including the United States, 
Brazil and Mexico.

Likewise, we reinvigorated our Hill’s Science Diet 
business with upgraded recipes, improved kibble shapes 
and redesigned packaging. Importantly, we looked at the 
positioning of the brand and elevated the importance of 
the brand purpose, “Science is at the heart of biology-
based nutrition.” This gave consumers a reason to buy 
into the brand and helped Hill’s achieve its strongest 
organic sales growth in 11 years. With the global rollout 
now underway, this premium innovation is helping us 
drive growth in the wellness segment around the world.
  Another core innovation is the reformulation of our 
base anti-cavity toothpaste with amino power in certain 
markets. First relaunched in India in late 2019, the 
upgraded Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection is now 
rolling out to the rest of Asia. We also recently launched 
Colgate Optic White Renewal toothpaste in the United 
States. With 3% hydrogen peroxide, it is our best 
whitening toothpaste ever.  
  Beyond our core businesses, we are pursuing 
adjacent categories and are being selective with 
our choices. Consumers are looking for products 
that are more natural and sustainable, which is an 
important, high-growth area of opportunity across all 
of our businesses around the world. Recent premium 
innovations in this space include Colgate Natural Extracts 
Charcoal toothpaste, Colgate 
Bamboo manual toothbrush, 
Palmolive Pure & Delight 

In 2019, Colgate 
expanded its portfolio 
in the fast-growing, 
highly-profitable skin 
health category with 
Filorga, a global brand 
focused on the anti-
aging segment, joining 
PCA Skin and EltaMD.

2 | Colgate-Palmolive Company

vegan shower gels and liquid hand soaps and Ajax Eco-
Respect biodegradable wipes.
  We are also excited about the expansion of our skin 
health portfolio. In 2018, we acquired PCA Skin and 
EltaMD, two professional skin care businesses that 
continue to perform well for us. In 2019, we added 
Filorga, a premium, anti-aging skin care brand focused 
primarily on facial care. Filorga adds a high-growth, 
profitable, global skin care asset to the Colgate portfolio 
with the opportunity to drive continued growth through 
expanded awareness and distribution. This acquisition 
also provides Colgate entry into the fast-growing and 
sizable travel retail channel, particularly in Asia.

The retail landscape has changed quite dramatically 
over the last few years. We are thinking differently about 
the channel trends we are seeing in the marketplace 
and how we innovate specifically for the faster-
growing channels around the world. One of the biggest 
opportunities we have is in the pharmacy channel. Two 
highly therapeutic, specialized oral care brands that do 
very well in the European pharmacy channel, elmex and 
meridol, are being selectively expanded to countries like 
China, Turkey and Brazil, where pharmacy is one of the 
fastest-growing retail environments. Likewise, unique, 
channel-specific innovations, like the Colgate PerioGard 
and Colgate OrthoGard product lines in Brazil, are also 
driving growth in this important channel.
  Maximizing growth online is another key priority. 
In 2019, Colgate’s eCommerce sales increased 26% 
globally, approaching $1 billion, led by very strong growth 
in our North America and Hill’s businesses. Premium 
pet food is one of the consumer categories that is most 
developed in eCommerce. We have been able to take 
learnings from our Hill’s eCommerce business and roll 
them out across the rest of our categories to drive growth 
around the globe. To further build on this, in 2019, we 
opened our first Online Acceleration Center in the United 
Kingdom, which produces digital content for Europe 
in-house. The center combines our eCommerce, digital, 
insights, analytics, information technology and production 
resources all in one place. As a result, the content is not 
only produced faster and more efficiently, but it is also 
more targeted and more compelling. 

Maximizing Productivity
As we work to accelerate the top-line, we are also driving 
productivity across the organization. We remain focused 
on our traditional efforts that we have done so well, such 
as our ongoing funding-the-growth cost-saving initiatives. 
But our productivity emphasis is moving beyond just 
cost-cutting efforts. We are thinking about productivity in 
terms of maximizing and fully realizing the capacity of all 
the Colgate people around the world. To do that, we are 

 
 
Specialized brands and channel-
specific innovations are fueling 
Colgate’s growth in Brazil’s fast-
growing pharmacy channel.

changing the way we work: eliminating and streamlining 
processes, getting to quicker decisions through the use 
of data and analytics, and using technology across the 
enterprise to support our business more effectively.
  One important example is how we are transforming 
the way we innovate, using an approach that is quite 
different from what we have done in the past and that 
is allowing us to go to market faster. Focused on bigger, 
more impactful innovations, the new framework leverages 
visualization tools, predictive analytics and new ways of 
interacting with consumers. By building more agility into 
the process, we are now bringing new products to market 
in just six to 12 months, and sometimes even faster, 
versus over 18 months previously.
  We are also leveraging SAP S/4 HANA enterprise-wide 
software to build more agility into our supply chain and 
finance organizations. While still in the early stages of 
implementation, consolidating to one global system while 
upgrading to next-generation technology will further drive 
simplification, efficiency and standardization.

A Special Thanks To Ian Cook — Retiring
Ian will retire as Executive Chairman effective April 1, 
2020, after more than 44 years of service to Colgate.  
He served as President and Chief Executive Officer 
from 2007 to 2019, and as Chairman of the Board 
from 2009 until 2020. Throughout his career, Ian 
has inspired Colgate people all over the world with 
his enduring commitment to personal leadership and 
business integrity. With deep Colgate knowledge gained 
over decades’ experience, he has been a champion of 
“Winning on the Ground” by equipping local teams with 
best-in-class innovation, business services, information 
technology and supply chain capability. He steadily 

guided Colgate through the 2008 global financial 
crisis and the volatile world that followed, emphasizing 
focus and agility. His deep commitment to Colgate’s 
sustainability strategy drove a decade’s progress and 
recognition for our commitment to social responsibility 
and addressing climate change. Importantly, Ian has 
been steadfast in his support for talent development 
efforts to ensure our leaders are equipped for the world’s 
accelerated rate of change. He has the deep gratitude of 
all Colgate people and our Board for his highly effective, 
principled leadership and my warm thanks for his 
guidance and support over our leadership transition.

Outlook
We made significant progress in 2019 on our path 
to returning to sustainable profitable growth, most 
importantly accelerating the growth momentum in our 
business. I am excited about the progress we are making 
and believe we have the right plans in place to continue 
this momentum. Looking to 2020, we are planning for a 
year of profitable growth fueled by increased investment 
in our brands and our global capabilities. 
  As we move ahead together, I wish to thank all Colgate 
people worldwide for their personal commitment to 
achieving our goals with the highest ethical standards, 
and express appreciation for the support of our 
consumers, customers, suppliers, shareholders and 
Board of Directors.

Noel Wallace 
President and Chief Executive Officer

2019 Annual Report | 3

 
COLGATE’S GLOBAL BRANDS

Oral Care

46%

of Net Sales

Home Care

18%

of Net Sales

4 | Colgate-Palmolive Company

Personal Care

20%

of Net Sales

Pet Nutrition

16%

of Net Sales

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT 

Colgate is pleased to report excellent progress in 2019 on the Company’s 2015 to 2020 Sustainability Strategy 
commitment. The Company was named to both the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America 
Indices and for the first time ever was the Household Industry Sector Leader. Colgate was also recognized as a U.S. 
EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2019 for the ninth year in a row. In addition to the highlights below, more 
about Colgate’s Sustainability Strategy progress is available in the Sustainability section of Colgate’s website at 
www.colgatepalmolive.com.

People

Performance

Planet

Over 

1.2

billion children reached in over  
80 countries by Colgate’s  
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures  
oral health education  
program since 1991.

In  

2019, 

 with a new program  
focused on critical risk  
management, Colgate had the  
lowest number of recordable  
and lost work day accidents in  
our Company’s history.

Since 2002, The Hill’s Food, Shelter  
& Love program has provided more 
than $295 million worth of Hill’s  
brand pet foods to over 1,000 animal 
shelters and has helped more than  

11 

 million pets find their  
forever homes.

Colgate has made  
great strides in our commitment 
to improving the sustainability 
profile of our products and nearly 
completed eliminating PVC from 
our packaging and expect to meet 
our goal to fully eliminate in  

2020.

Colgate’s design for a first-of-its-
kind recyclable toothpaste tube is 
the first to be recognized by the  
Association of Plastic Recyclers — 
an important step toward  
reaching our goal of 

100 % 

recyclable packaging by 2025.

Colgate’s contribution to Water For 
People’s Everyone Forever program 
helped them to reach more than   

466

thousand people since  
2013 with water, sanitation 
systems and/or health and  
hygiene education.

Since 2011, 

74U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR  

Challenge for Industry Awards  
have been achieved by  
Colgate manufacturing sites.

Through cross-functional 
collaboration across the Colgate 
world, we continue to make 
progress and, in 2019, improved 
the sustainability profile in 

99 %

 of new products.*

As of 2019, through our  
partnership with TerraCycle,  
more than 54,000 locations  
have engaged in recycling,  
helping us divert nearly 

10

million pieces of oral care waste 
from landfills globally.

The Association of Plastic 
Recyclers presented Colgate with a 
Showcase Award for  
our creation of the first recyclable 
dish soap packaging (Palmolive 
Oxy) that allows a shrink sleeve to 
be recycled along with the  
PET bottle. This moves us closer to 
our 100% recyclability goals.

Colgate continues to be an active 
participant in SmartLabel, an initiative 
co-created by the Consumer Brands 
Association (formerly GMA), the Food 
Marketing Institute, manufacturers 
and retailers. This digital platform was 
developed to meet consumers’ desire 
to know what is in the products they 
purchase, utilize and consume. In 2019, 
we completed adding all categories in 
the U.S. to the SmartLabel platform.

As of 2019, a total of 

16

 Colgate manufacturing facilities 
achieved GBCI TRUE  
Zero Waste certification.

The UN Global Compact —  
the world’s largest corporate 
sustainability initiative —  
has elevated Colgate to LEAD 
company status. We have now 
achieved the highest level of 
engagement with the UNGC 
through our commitment to its 
Ten Principles and Sustainable 
Development Goals. 

Colgate hosted a media event panel 
at the United Nations headquarters 
during 2019 Climate Week,  
to share insights from our ongoing 
Save Water campaign. Since its 
2016 launch, our Save Water 
program has helped avoid using 
an estimated 98 billion gallons of 
water and 5.5 million metric tons of 
greenhouse gas emissions.

Colgate’s Burlington,  
New Jersey facility was the first site  
in the world to achieve  
LEED Zero certification by the  
U.S. Green Building  
Council for net zero carbon,  
energy, water and waste.

*The performance results are based on representative products from the product portfolio evaluated against our goals in packaging, formula and social impact to 

characterize likely improvement in the sustainability profile, based on review of quantitative and qualitative data. 

2019 Annual Report | 5

 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

8

11

5

9

1

2

7

6

10

4

3

12

1. Ian Cook 
  Executive Chairman of  

Colgate-Palmolive	Company	

  Elected director in 2007 and Chairman  

from 2009 to April 2020. Age 67

2. Noel Wallace 
	 President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer
	 of	Colgate-Palmolive	Company
  Elected director in 2019 and Chairman  

effective April 2020. Age 55 

3. Charles A. Bancroft, Independent Director
  Executive Vice President, Head of Integration  
and	Strategy	&	Business	Development	of	 
Bristol-Myers	Squibb	Company	

	 Director	from	2017	to	March	2020.	Age	60	

4. John P. Bilbrey, Independent Director
  Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive 

Officer	of	The	Hershey	Company	
  Elected director in 2015. Age 63  

EXECUTIVE TEAM

1. Ian Cook
  Executive Chairman

2. Noel Wallace
	 President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer

3. Jennifer M. Daniels
	 Chief	Legal	Officer	and	Secretary

4.  Henning Jakobsen
	 Chief	Financial	Officer

5. Prabha Parameswaran
  Group President, Global Innovation  
Group & Colgate-Africa/Eurasia

6. Panagiotis Tsourapas
  Group President, Colgate-Latin America  

&	Asia	Pacific

Biographical information for the above directors  
and executives is available on Colgate’s website  
at www.colgatepalmolive.com.

6 | Colgate-Palmolive Company

5. John T. Cahill, Independent Director
  Vice	Chairman	of	The	Kraft	Heinz	Company	
  Elected director in 2005. Age 62 

6.  Lisa M. Edwards, Independent Director
  Executive	Vice	President,	Strategic	Business	

Operations, Customer and Partner  
Engagement	of	Salesforce.com,	Inc. 
Elected director in 2019. Age 52 

7. Helene D. Gayle, Independent Director
  President	and	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	 

The	Chicago	Community	Trust
  Elected director in 2010. Age 64 

8. C. Martin Harris, Independent Director
  Associate Vice President of the Health Enterprise 
and	Chief	Business	Officer	of	the	Dell	Medical	
School	at	The	University	of	Texas	at	Austin	

  Elected director in 2016. Age 63

  9. Lorrie M. Norrington, Independent Director

Operating Partner of Lead Edge Capital LLC 
Elected director in 2015. Age 60 

 10. Michael B. Polk, Independent Director

Advisory	Director	to	Berkshire	Partners	 
LLC,	Interim	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	 
Implus Corporation 
Elected director in 2014. Age 59 

 11. Stephen I. Sadove, Independent Director

Founding	Partner	of	JW	Levin	Management	
Partners LLC 
Elected director in 2007. Age 68

12. Welcome, 
  Martina Hund-Mejean, Independent Director 

Former	Chief	Financial	Officer	of	Mastercard	Inc.
Elected director in 2020. Age 59

6 

3

1

2

5

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
MANAGEMENT TEAM

 Issam Bachaalani
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Eurasia 

 Daniel Bagley
	VP,	Global	R&D 

 Dave Baloga
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

 Nicki Baty
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

 Don Beatty
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

 Angel Dario Belalcazar
	VP,	Global	R&D

*Joseph M. Bertolini
 VP, Global Finance

 Jose Borrell
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition 

 Yves Briantais
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Craig Dubitsky 
	Chief	Innovation	Strategist, 
	Colgate	and	Friendly	 
 Founder & Chief Creative  
	Officer,	Hello	Products

 Philip Durocher
 VP, Colgate- 
 North America

*John Faucher
 Chief Investor  
	Relations	Officer

 Kimberly Faulkner
 VP, Colgate-Latin America

*Jean-Luc Fischer
 President, Colgate- 
 North America &  
	Global	Sustainability

 Betsy Fishbone
 VP, Global Legal

*Peter Brons-Poulsen
 President, Colgate-Europe

 Laura Flavin
 VP, Global Human Resources

 Marsha Butler
 VP, Global Oral Care

 Scott Cain
 VP, Global Finance

 Scott Campbell
	VP,	Global	Marketing

 Burc Cankat
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 North Africa/ 
	Middle	East	&	Turkey

 Maria Paula Capuzzo
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Brazil	

 Nadine Flynn
 VP, Global Legal

 David Foster
 VP, Global Information 
	Technology

 Bertrand Frohly
 CEO, Laboratoires Filorga 

 Diana Geofroy
	VP,	Colgate-Mexico

 Corrado Giaquinto
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Greater Indochina

 Rosario Carlino
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-East	Africa	

 Derek Gordon
	VP	&	GM,	Global	Toothbrush

 Maria Elisa Carvajal
	VP	&	GM,	Global	Oral	Care

 Martin J. Collins
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

*Michael A. Corbo
	Chief	Supply	Chain	Officer

*Mike Crowe
	Chief	Information	Officer

 Rich Cuprys
	VP,	Global	R&D

 Monica Davila
 VP, Colgate-Latin America

 Paula Davis
 VP & Chief   
	Communications	Officer

 Pierre Denis
	VP,	Global	R&D

*Mukul Deoras
 President, Colgate- 
	Asia	Pacific

 Julie Dillon
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
	South	Pacific

 Taylor Gordy
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Northern Europe

 Peter Graylin
 VP, Global Legal

 Valerie Haliburton
 VP, Global Ethics  
 & Compliance

 Elise Halvorson
	VP,	Enterprise	Risk 
	Management

*John Hazlin
 President, Colgate- 
 Africa/Eurasia

 Astrid Hermann
 VP, Colgate-
 North America

 Raymond Ho
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Robert Hofmann
 VP, Colgate-Europe  
 & Africa/Eurasia

 Henry Hu
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Nina Huffman
 VP, Global Legal

 Traci Hughes-Velez
 VP, Colgate-Europe

*John J. Huston
	SVP,	Chief	of	Staff

 Kristine Hutchinson
 VP, Global Legal

 Eugene Kelly
	VP,	Global	Diversity		
 & Inclusion

 Iain Kielty
 VP, Global Finance

 Charalabos Klados
 VP, Global Legal

 Raj Kohli
	VP,	Global	R&D

 Anne-Marie Motte
	VP	&	GM,	Global	 
 Personal & Home Care

 Francisco Muñoz
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Central America

 Josue M. Muñoz
	VP,	Global	Supply	Chain

 Sara Scrittore
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

  Mori Seguchi
	VP	&	GM,	Hill’s	Pet 
 Nutrition-Japan

 Alain Semeneri
	VP	&	GM,	Hill’s	Pet	 
 Nutrition-Europe & Russia

 Eddie Niem
	VP	&	GM,	Hawley	&	Hazel

 Esi Seng
	GM,	Tom’s	of	Maine

*Jesper Nordengaard
 President, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

 Godfrey Nthunzi
 VP, Colgate- 
 Africa/Eurasia

 Jose Fernando Serrano
 VP, Colgate- 
 Latin America

 Andrew Shepard
	VP,	Global	Skin	Health

 Edward Oblon
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

*Philip Shotts
 VP & Controller

*John Kooyman
	Chief	Marketing	Officer

 Terrell Partee
	VP,	Global	R&D

 Lauri Kien Kotcher 
 CEO, Hello Products

 Wojciech Krol
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Central Europe East

*Al Lee
 Chief Internal  
	Governance	Officer

 Adriana Leite
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
	Southern	Cone

*Stephane Lionnet
	VP	&	Treasurer

 Javier Llinas
 VP, Global Information 
	Technology

 Moira Loten
 VP, Global Oral Care

 Gregory Malcolm
	VP,	Chief	Business	 
	Services	Officer

*Daniel B. Marsili
 Chief Human  
	Resources	Officer

 Cesar Martinez
 VP, Colgate-
 Africa/Eurasia

 Pablo Mascolo
 VP, Colgate- 
 Latin America

 Sally Massey
 VP, Global 
 Human Resources

 Gerald Mastio
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Western Europe

 Paul McGarry
 VP, Global Information 
	Technology

 Pascal Montilus
 VP, Colgate-North America

 Hector Pedraza
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Andina

 Brent Peterson
 VP, Global Human Resources

 Massimo Poli
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Mexico

 Warren Pruitt
	VP,	Global	Supply	Chain

 Ram Raghavan
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
	India	&	South	Asia

 Riccardo Ricci
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-
	Southern	Europe

 Luciano Sieber
 VP, Colgate-Europe   
 & Africa/Eurasia

 Lynne Tapper
 VP, Global  
 Human Resources

 Penne Thornett
	GM,	EltaMD

 Richard Thorogood
 VP, Global Insights

 Linda Topping
	VP,	Global	Supply	Chain

 Ann Tracy
	Chief	Sustainability	Officer

 Bill Van de Graaf
 VP, Colgate-North America

 Lauren Richardson
	Chief	Procurement	Officer

*Patricia Verduin
	Chief	Technology	Officer

 Chad D. Riley
	VP,	Hill’s	Pet	Nutrition-U.S.

 James Wang
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Nancy Rolph
	VP,	Chief	Security	Officer

 Mauro Watanabe
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Michele Ross
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

 Paolo Rossetto
 VP, Colgate-Europe

 Debashish Roy
 VP, Colgate- 
 Africa/Eurasia

 Maria Ryan
	Chief	Dental	Officer

 Bernal Saborio
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Caribbean

 Arvind Sachdev
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate-Philippines

 Ivan Sandoval
 VP, Global Legal

 David Scharf
 VP, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

  Dany Schmidt
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Central Europe West

 Cliff Wilkins
 VP, Global Legal

 Andrew Wilson
	VP,	Colgate-Asia	Pacific

 Dan Wish
	VP,	Global	Marketing

 Alan Wolpert
 VP, Colgate-Latin America

 Winnie Wong
	VP	&	GM,	Colgate- 
 Greater China

*Juan Pablo Zamorano
 President, Colgate- 
 Latin America

 Joanna Zucker
	VP	&	GM,	PCA	Skin

*Corporate Officer

2019 Annual Report | 7

 
 
  
	
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following is provided to supplement certain financial 
measures discussed in this report both as reported 
(GAAP) and excluding the impact of certain items 
(non-GAAP) as shown below. Investors and analysts use 
these financial measures in assessing the Company’s 
business performance, and management believes that 
presenting these financial measures on a non-GAAP basis 
provides them with useful supplemental information 
to enhance their understanding of the Company’s 
underlying business performance and trends. These 
non-GAAP financial measures also enhance the ability 
to compare period-to-period financial results. The 
Company uses these financial measures internally in 
its budgeting process, to evaluate segment and overall 
operating performance and as factors in determining 

compensation. While the Company believes that 
these financial measures are useful in evaluating the 
Company’s underlying business performance and trends, 
this information should be considered as supplemental 
in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation 
or as a substitute for the related financial information 
prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these 
non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as 
similar measures presented by other companies. This 
report also discusses organic sales growth, which is net 
sales growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange, 
acquisitions and divestments. For a reconciliation of 
organic sales growth to net sales growth for 2019, see 
page 43 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) 

2019
As Reported (GAAP) 
Global Growth and Efficiency Program  
Acquisition-Related Costs  
Value-Added Tax Matter In Brazil  
Swiss Income Tax Reform 
Excluding Items (Non-GAAP) 

2018
As Reported (GAAP) 
Global Growth and Efficiency Program 
Foreign Tax Matter 
U.S. Tax Reform 
Excluding Items (Non-GAAP) 

2017
As Reported (GAAP) 
Global Growth and Efficiency Program 
U.S. Tax Reform 
Excluding Items (Non-GAAP) 

Gross Profit 
Margin 

Operating 
Profit 

Net 
Income 

Diluted 
EPS 

59.4% 
0.1% 
– 
– 
– 
59.5% 

59.4% 
0.2% 
– 
– 
59.6% 

60.0% 
0.5% 
– 
60.5% 

$3,554 
125 
24 
(30) 
– 
$3,673 

$3,694 
152 
– 
– 
$3,846 

$2,367 
102 
20 
(20) 
(29) 
$2,440 

$2,400 
125 
(15) 
80 
$2,590 

$3,707 (1) 
313 
– 
$4,020 

$2,024 
246 
275 
$2,545 

$2.75 
0.12
0.02
(0.02)
(0.04)
$2.83

$2.75 
0.15
(0.02)
0.09
$2.97

$2.28
0.28
0.31
$2.87

(1)  Operating Profit for 2017 has been restated to reflect the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the  

Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” on a retrospective basis, as required, effective January 1, 2018. Refer to the 
Company’s website for reconciliations to previously reported amounts.

8 | Colgate-Palmolive Company

 
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

FORM 10-K 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934

  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the transition period from                                  to                          .

Commission File Number 1-644 

300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
300 Park Avenue
New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)

13-1815595
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10022
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-310-2000 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
0.000% Notes due 2021
0.500% Notes due 2026
1.375% Notes due 2034
0.875% Notes due 2039

Trading Symbol(s)
CL
CL21A
CL26
CL34
CL39
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 
Yes 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. 
Yes 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

  No 

No 

Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been 
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant 
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 
and post such files). Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 

company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and 
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 

with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes 
The aggregate market value of Colgate-Palmolive Company Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2019 (the last 

 No 

business day of its most recently completed second quarter) was approximately $61.3 billion.

There were 855,029,777 shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company Common Stock outstanding as of January 31, 2020.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Documents
Portions of Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Form 10-K Reference
Part III, Items 10 through 14

Colgate-Palmolive Company
Table of Contents

Part I

Business

Item 1.
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

Part II

Item 5.

Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.

Part III

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

Part IV

Item 15.
Item 16.

Signatures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary

Page

1
4
14
15
16
18

19
19
20
55
56
56
56
56

57
57

58
58
58

59
62

63

  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
ITEM 1. 

BUSINESS

(a) General Development of the Business

PART I

Colgate-Palmolive Company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Colgate”) is a leading consumer 
products company whose products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories throughout the world. Colgate was 
founded in 1806 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1923.

For recent business developments and other information, refer to the information set forth under the captions 
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Executive Overview,” “– 
Outlook,” “–Results of Operations,” “–Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges” and “– Liquidity and Capital 
Resources” in Part II, Item 7 of this report.

(c) Narrative Description of the Business

The Company operates in two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Colgate is a leader 

in Oral Care with global leadership in the toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories according to market share data. 
Colgate’s Oral Care products include Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection, Colgate Total, Colgate Triple Action, Darlie 
Double Action, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate Optic White, Colgate Whitening and Colgate Max White toothpastes, Colgate 
360°, Colgate Extra Clean and Colgate Slim Soft manual toothbrushes and Colgate Plax, meridol and Colgate Total 
mouthwashes. Colgate’s Oral Care business also includes pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health 
professionals.

Colgate is a leader in many product categories of the Personal Care market with global leadership in liquid hand soap, 

which it sells under the Softsoap, Palmolive and Protex brands according to market share data. Colgate’s Personal Care 
products also include Protex, Palmolive and Irish Spring bar soaps, Palmolive, Sanex and Softsoap shower gels, Speed 
Stick, Sanex and Lady Speed Stick deodorants and antiperspirants, Filorga, Elta MD and PCA Skin skin health products 
and Palmolive and Caprice shampoos and conditioners. 

Colgate manufactures and markets a wide array of products for the Home Care market, including Palmolive and Ajax 

dishwashing liquids and Fabuloso, Murphy’s Oil Soap and Ajax household cleaners. Colgate is a market leader in fabric 
conditioners with leading brands, including Suavitel in Latin America, Soupline in Europe, and Cuddly in the South 
Pacific, according to market share data.

Sales of Oral, Personal and Home Care products accounted for 46%, 20% and 18%, respectively, of the Company’s 

total worldwide Net sales in 2019. Geographically, Oral Care is a significant part of the Company’s business in Asia 
Pacific, comprising approximately 82% of Net sales in that region for 2019.

Colgate, through its Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment (“Hill’s” or “Pet Nutrition”), is a world leader in specialty pet 
nutrition products for dogs and cats with products marketed in over 80 countries and territories worldwide. Hill’s markets 
pet foods primarily under two brands. Hill’s Science Diet, which is called Hill’s Science Plan in Europe, is a range of 
products for everyday nutritional needs. Hill’s Prescription Diet is a range of therapeutic products to help nutritionally 
manage disease conditions in dogs and cats. Sales of Pet Nutrition products accounted for 16% of the Company’s total 
worldwide Net sales in 2019.

For more information regarding the Company’s worldwide Net sales by product category, refer to Note 1, Nature of 

Operations and Note 14, Segment Information to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

For additional information regarding market share data, see “Market Share Information” in Part II, Item 7 of this 

report.

1

Distribution; Raw Materials; Competition; Trademarks and Patents

The Company’s Oral, Personal and Home Care products are sold to a variety of traditional and eCommerce retailers, 
wholesalers and distributors worldwide. Pet Nutrition products are sold by authorized pet supply retailers, veterinarians and 
eCommerce retailers. The Company’s sales to Wal-Mart, Inc. and its affiliates represent approximately 11% of the 
Company’s Net sales in 2019. No other customer represents more than 10% of the Company’s Net sales. The Company 
supports its products with advertising, promotion and other marketing (with increasing emphasis on digital) to build 
awareness and trial of the Company’s products. The Company’s products are marketed by a direct sales force at individual 
operating subsidiaries or business units, and by distributors or brokers.

The majority of raw and packaging materials used in the Company’s products is purchased from other companies and 

is available from several sources. No single raw or packaging material represents, and no single supplier provides, a 
significant portion of the Company’s total material requirements. For certain materials, however, new suppliers may have 
to be qualified under industry, governmental and Colgate standards, which can require additional investment and take some 
period of time. Raw and packaging material commodities, such as resins, essential oils, pulp, tropical oils, tallow, poultry, 
corn and soybeans, are subject to market price variations. For further information regarding the impact of changes in 
commodity prices, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors - Volatility in material and other costs could adversely impact our 
profitability” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” 

The Company’s products are sold in a highly competitive global marketplace which has experienced increased trade 
concentration, the rapid growth of eCommerce, the integration of traditional and digital operations at key retailers and the 
growing presence of large-format retailers and discounters. Products similar to those produced and sold by the Company 
are available from multinational and local competitors in the U.S. and overseas. Certain of the Company’s competitors are 
larger and have greater resources than the Company. In certain geographies, the Company also faces strong local 
competitors, who may be more agile and have better local consumer insights than the Company. Private label brands sold 
by retailers are also a source of competition for certain of the Company’s products. 

The retail landscape in many of the Company’s markets continues to be impacted by the rapid growth of eCommerce 
retailers, changing consumer preferences (as consumers increasingly shop online) and the emergence of alternative retail 
channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-customer businesses. The Company faces competition in several 
aspects of its business, including pricing, promotional activities, new product and brand introductions and expansion into 
new geographies and channels. Product quality, innovation, brand recognition, marketing capability and acceptance of new 
products and brands largely determine success in the Company’s operating segments.

The Company considers trademarks to be of material importance to its business. The Company follows a practice of 
seeking trademark protection in the U.S. and throughout the world where the Company’s products are sold. Principal global 
and regional trademarks include Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Sorriso, Hello, Speed Stick, Lady 
Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, Elta MD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and 
Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company’s rights in these trademarks endure for 
as long as they are used and/or registered. Although the Company actively develops and maintains a portfolio of patents, no 
single patent is considered significant to the business as a whole.

Environmental Matters

The Company has programs that are designed to ensure that its operations and facilities meet or exceed standards 

established by applicable environmental rules and regulations. Capital expenditures for environmental control facilities 
totaled approximately $46 million for 2019. For future years, expenditures are currently expected to be of a similar 
magnitude. For additional information regarding environmental matters refer to Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

Employees

As of December 31, 2019, the Company employed approximately 34,300 employees.

Information about our Executive Officers

The following is a list of executive officers as of February 21, 2020:

Name

Ian Cook
Noel R. Wallace
Henning I. Jakobsen
John J. Huston
Daniel B. Marsili
Patricia Verduin
Jennifer M. Daniels
Philip G. Shotts
John W. Kooyman
Prabha Parameswaran

Panagiotis Tsourapas

Age
67
55
59
65
59
60
56
65
55
61

55

Date First Elected
Officer

1996
2009
2017
2002
2005
2011
2014
2018
2019
2019

2019

Present Title

Executive Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Controller
Chief Marketing Officer
Group President, Global Innovation Group and Africa-
Eurasia
Group President, Latin America and Asia Pacific

Each of the executive officers listed above has served the registrant or its subsidiaries in various executive capacities 

for the past five years. 

Under the Company’s By-Laws, the officers of the corporation hold office until their respective successors are chosen 

and qualified or until they have resigned, retired or been removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of 
Directors of the Company (the “Board”). There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers, and there 
is no arrangement or understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which the executive 
officer was elected.

(e) Available Information

The Company’s website address is www.colgatepalmolive.com. The information contained on the Company’s website 

is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company makes 
available, free of charge, on its website its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, its 
interactive data files posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, its Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to 
such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange 
Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has electronically filed such material with, or furnished it to, the 
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Also available on the Company’s website are the 
Company’s Code of Conduct and Board Guidelines on Significant Corporate Governance Issues, the charters of the 
Committees of the Board, Specialized Disclosure Reports on Form SD, reports under Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 
transactions in Company stock by directors and executive officers and its proxy statements.

3

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

In addition to the risks described elsewhere in this report, set forth below is a summary of the material risks to an 
investment in our securities. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that 
we currently deem immaterial may also have an adverse effect on us. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, 
results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted, which might cause the 
value of our securities to decline.

We face risks associated with significant international operations, including exposure to foreign currency 
fluctuations.

We operate on a global basis serving consumers in more than 200 countries and territories with approximately 70% of 

our Net sales originating in markets outside the U.S. While geographic diversity helps to reduce our exposure to risks in 
any one country or part of the world, it also means that we face risks associated with significant international operations, 
including, but not limited to:

changes in exchange rates for foreign currencies, which may reduce the U.S. dollar value of revenues, profits and 
cash flows from non-U.S. markets or increase our supply costs, as measured in U.S. dollars, in those markets;

exchange controls and other limits on our ability to import or export raw materials or finished product or to 
repatriate earnings from overseas;

political or economic instability, geopolitical events, environmental events, widespread health emergencies, such 
as the novel coronavirus or other pandemics or epidemics, natural disasters, or social or labor unrest;

changing macroeconomic conditions in our markets, including as a result of volatile commodity prices, including 
the price of oil;

lack of well-established, reliable and/or impartial legal systems in certain countries where we operate and 
difficulties in enforcing contractual, intellectual property or other legal rights;

foreign ownership and investment restrictions and the potential for nationalization or expropriation of property or 
other resources; and

changes to trade policies and agreements and other foreign or domestic legal and regulatory requirements, 
including those resulting in potentially adverse tax consequences or the imposition of and/or the increase in 
onerous trade restrictions and/or tariffs, sanctions, price controls, labor laws, travel or immigration restrictions, 
profit controls or other government controls.

All of the foregoing risks could have a significant impact on our ability to sell our products on a competitive basis in 
international markets and may adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In 
addition, a number of these risks may adversely impact consumer confidence and consumption, which could reduce sales 
volumes of our products or result in a shift in our product mix from higher margin to lower margin product offerings.

In addition, the impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from, and the related negotiations with, the European Union 
(commonly referred to as Brexit) are, at this time, unclear. Brexit has created legal, political and economic uncertainty, 
which could subject us to heightened risks in the region, including disruptions to trade and the free movement of goods, 
services and people to and from the United Kingdom, increased foreign exchange volatility with respect to the British 
pound and disruptions to our workforce and that of our suppliers and business partners. We do not, however, believe Brexit 
will have a material impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.  

Furthermore, the recent imposition of tariffs and/or increase in tariffs on various products by the United States and 
other countries have introduced greater uncertainty with respect to trade policies and government regulations affecting 
trade between the United States and other countries and new and/or increased tariffs have subjected, and may continue in 
the future to subject, us to additional costs and expenditure of resources. Major developments in trade relations, including 
the imposition of new or increased tariffs by the United States and/or other countries, and any emerging nationalist trends 
in specific countries could alter the trade environment and consumer purchasing behavior which, in turn, could have a 
material effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In an effort to minimize the impact on earnings of foreign currency rate movements, we engage in a combination of 
selling price increases, where permitted, sourcing strategies, cost-containment measures and selective hedging of foreign 
currency transactions. However, the impact of these measures may not fully offset any negative impact of foreign currency 
rate movements on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Significant competition in our industry could adversely affect our business.

We face vigorous competition worldwide, including from strong local competitors and from other large, multinational 

companies, some of which may have greater resources than we do. In addition, the substantial growth in eCommerce has 
encouraged the entry of new competitors and business models. 

We face competition in several aspects of our business, including pricing, promotional activities, new product 

introductions and expansion into new geographies and channels. Some of our competitors may spend more aggressively on 
or have more effective advertising and promotional activities than we do, introduce competing products more quickly and/
or respond more effectively to changing consumer preferences and business and economic conditions. Such competition 
also extends to administrative and legal challenges of product claims and advertising. Our ability to compete also depends 
on the strength of our brands and on our ability to enforce and defend our intellectual property, including patent, trademark, 
copyright, trade secret and trade dress rights against infringement and legal challenges by competitors.

We may be unable to anticipate the timing and scale of such initiatives or challenges by competitors or to successfully 

respond to them, which could harm our business. In addition, the cost of responding to such initiatives and challenges, 
including management time, out-of-pocket expenses and price reductions, may affect our performance in the relevant 
period. A failure to compete effectively could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition.

Increasing dependence on key retailers in developed markets, changes in the policies of our retail trade customers, 
the emergence of alternative retail channels and the rapidly changing retail landscape may adversely affect our 
business.

Our products are sold in a highly competitive global marketplace which has experienced increased trade concentration 

and the growing presence of large-format retailers, discounters and eCommerce retailers. With the growing trend toward 
retail trade consolidation, the rapid growth of eCommerce and the integration of traditional and digital operations at key 
retailers, we are increasingly dependent on certain retailers, and some of these retailers have and may continue to have 
greater bargaining strength than we do. They have used and may continue to use this leverage to demand higher trade 
discounts, allowances or slotting fees, which could lead to reduced sales or profitability. The loss of a key customer or a 
significant reduction in sales to a key customer could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and 
financial condition. For additional information regarding our customers, see “Distribution; Raw Materials; Competition; 
Trademarks and Patents” in Item 1 “Business.”

We also have been and may continue to be negatively affected by changes in the policies or practices of our retail trade 

customers, such as inventory de-stocking, limitations on access to shelf space, delisting of our products, environmental or 
sustainability initiatives and other conditions. For example, a determination by a key retailer that any of our ingredients 
should not be used in certain consumer products or that our packaging does not comply with certain environmental 
standards or initiatives could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In 
addition, “private label” products sold by our retail customers, which are typically sold at lower prices than branded 
products, are a source of competition for certain of our products. 

In addition, the retail landscape in many of our markets continues to be impacted by the rapid growth of eCommerce 
retailers, changing consumer preferences (as consumers increasingly shop online) and the emergence of alternative retail 
channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-customer businesses.  The rapid growth in eCommerce and the 
emergence of alternative retail channels have created and may continue to create pricing pressures and/or adversely affect 
our relationships with our key retailers.  If we are not successful in adapting or effectively reacting to changes in consumer 
preferences and market dynamics and/or expanding sales through eCommerce retailers and other alternative retail 
channels, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.

5

Our business is subject to legal and regulatory risks in the U.S. and abroad.

Our business is subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements in the U.S. and abroad. Such legal and 
regulatory requirements apply to most aspects of our products, including their development, ingredients, formulation, 
manufacture, packaging content, labeling, storage, transportation, distribution, export, import, advertising, sale and 
environmental impact. U.S. federal authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the Federal 
Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, regulate 
different aspects of our business, along with parallel authorities at the state and local levels and comparable authorities 
overseas. In addition, our selling practices are regulated by competition law authorities in the U.S. and abroad.

New or more stringent legal or regulatory requirements, or more restrictive interpretations of existing requirements, 
could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. For example, from time to 
time, various regulatory authorities in Europe, the U.S. and other countries review the use of various ingredients and 
packaging content in consumer products. A decision by a regulatory or governmental authority that any ingredient or 
packaging content in our products should be restricted or should otherwise be newly regulated, could adversely impact our 
business and reputation, as could negative reactions by our consumers, trade customers or non-governmental organizations 
to our current or prior use of such ingredients or packaging. Additionally, an inability to develop new or reformulated 
products containing alternative ingredients, to obtain regulatory approval of such products on a timely basis or to 
effectively market and sell such products could likewise adversely affect our business. 

Because of our extensive international operations, we could be adversely affected by violations of worldwide anti-

bribery laws, including those that prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to 
government officials or other third parties for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, such as the U.S. Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), and laws that prohibit commercial bribery. While our policies mandate compliance 
with these anti-bribery laws, we cannot provide assurance that our internal control policies and procedures will always 
protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, joint venture partners or agents. Violations of these 
laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and adversely affect our reputation and our business, 
results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

While it is our policy and practice to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to our business, a 

finding that we are in violation of, or out of compliance with, applicable laws or regulations could subject us to civil 
remedies, including fines, damages, injunctions or product recalls, or criminal sanctions, any of which could adversely 
affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Even if a claim is unsuccessful, is without 
merit or is not fully pursued, the cost of responding to such a claim, including management time and out-of-pocket 
expenses, and the negative publicity surrounding such assertions regarding our products, processes or business practices 
could adversely affect our reputation, brand image and our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition. For information regarding our legal and regulatory matters, see Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” and Note 13, 
Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

The growth of our business depends on the successful identification, development and launch of innovative new 
products.

Our growth depends on the continued success of existing products, the successful identification, development and  
launch of innovative new and differentiated products and the expansion into adjacent categories, channels of distribution or 
geographies. Our ability to launch new products, to sustain existing products and to expand into adjacent categories, 
channels of distribution or geographies is affected by whether we can successfully:

identify, develop and fund technological innovations;

obtain and maintain necessary intellectual property protection and avoid infringing intellectual property rights of 
others;

obtain approvals and registrations of regulated products, including from the FDA and other regulatory bodies in 
the U.S. and abroad; and

anticipate and quickly respond to consumer needs and preferences.

The identification, development and introduction of innovative new products involves considerable costs and effort, 

and any new product may not generate sufficient customer and consumer interest and sales to become a profitable product 
or to cover the costs of its development and promotion. Our ability to achieve a successful launch of a new product could 
also be adversely affected by preemptive actions taken by competitors in response to the launch, such as increased 
promotional activities and advertising. In addition, new products may not be accepted quickly or significantly in the 
marketplace.

Our ability to quickly innovate and to adapt our products to meet evolving consumer preferences is an essential part of 

our business strategy. The failure to develop and launch successful new products could hinder the growth of our business 
and any delay in the development or launch of a new product could result in us not being the first to market, which could 
compromise our competitive position and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition. 

If, in the course of identifying or developing new products, we are found to have infringed the trademark, trade secret, 
copyright, patent or other intellectual property rights of others, directly or indirectly, through the use of third-party ideas or 
technologies, such a finding could adversely affect our ability to develop innovative new products and adversely affect our 
business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Even if we are not found to infringe a third party’s 
intellectual property rights, claims of infringement could adversely affect us, including by increasing costs and by delaying 
the launch of new products. 

7

 
 
 
 
Damage to our reputation could have an adverse effect on our business.

Maintaining our strong reputation with consumers and our trade partners globally is critical to selling our branded 

products. Accordingly, we devote significant time and resources to programs designed to protect and preserve our 
reputation, such as our Ethics and Compliance, Sustainability, Brand Protection and Product Safety, Regulatory and Quality 
initiatives. Negative publicity about us, our brands, our products, our supply chain, our ingredients, our packaging or our 
employees, whether or not deserved, could jeopardize our reputation. Such negative publicity could relate to, among other 
things, health concerns, threatened or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings, environmental impacts (including 
packaging, energy and water use and waste management) or other sustainability or policy issues. In addition, widespread 
use of digital and social media by consumers has greatly increased the accessibility of information and the speed of its 
dissemination. Negative publicity, posts or comments on social media about us, our brands, our products, our packaging or 
our employees, whether true or untrue, could damage our brands and our reputation. The success of our brands could also 
suffer if our marketing initiatives do not have the desired impact on a brand’s image or its ability to attract consumers.  

Additionally, due to the scale and scope of our business, we must rely on relationships with third parties, including our 
suppliers, distributors, contractors, joint venture partners and other external business partners, for certain functions. While 
we have policies and procedures for managing these relationships, they inherently involve a lesser degree of control over 
business operations, governance and compliance, thereby potentially increasing our reputational and legal risk.

In addition, third parties sell counterfeit versions of our products, which are inferior or may pose safety risks. As a 
result, consumers of our brands could confuse our products with these counterfeit products, which could cause them to 
refrain from purchasing our brands in the future and in turn could impair our brand equity and adversely affect our 
business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence in our products for these or any other reasons could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, as well as require resources to 
rebuild our reputation.

There is no guarantee that our ongoing efforts to reduce costs will be successful.

One way that we generate funds needed to support the growth of our business is through our continuous, Company-

wide initiatives to lower costs and increase effective asset utilization, which we refer to as our funding-the-growth 
initiatives. These initiatives are designed to reduce costs associated with direct materials, indirect expenses, distribution 
and logistics, and advertising and promotional materials, among other things. The achievement of our funding-the-growth 
goals depends on our ability to successfully identify and realize additional savings opportunities. Events and 
circumstances, such as financial or strategic difficulties, delays and unexpected costs may occur that could result in our not 
realizing any or all of the anticipated benefits or our not realizing the anticipated benefits on our expected timetable. If we 
are unable to realize the anticipated savings of our funding-the-growth initiatives, our ability to fund other initiatives and 
achieve our profitability goals may be adversely affected. Any failure to implement our funding-the-growth initiatives in 
accordance with our expectations could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition. For additional information regarding our funding-the-growth initiatives, refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Executive Overview.”

8

Volatility in material and other costs could adversely impact our profitability.

Raw and packaging material commodities, such as resins, essential oils, pulp, tropical oils, tallow, poultry, corn and 
soybeans, are subject to market price variations. Increases in the costs and/or a reduction in the availability of commodities, 
energy and transportation and other necessary services have affected and may continue to adversely affect our profit 
margins. If commodity and other cost increases continue in the future and we are unable to pass along such higher costs in 
the form of price increases, achieve cost efficiencies, such as in manufacturing and distribution, or otherwise manage the 
exposure through sourcing strategies, ongoing productivity initiatives and the limited use of commodity hedging contracts, 
our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely impacted. In addition, even if we 
are able to increase the prices of our products in response to commodity and other cost increases, we may not be able to 
sustain the price increases. Also, sustained price increases may lead to declines in volume as competitors may not adjust 
their prices or consumers may decide not to pay higher prices, which could lead to sales declines and loss of market share 
and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. See “Disruption in our 
global supply chain or key office facilities could adversely impact our business” below for additional information. 

Our success depends upon our ability to attract and retain key employees and the succession of senior management.

Our success largely depends on the performance of our management team and other key employees. If we are unable 
to attract and retain talented, highly qualified senior management and other key people, our business, results of operations, 
cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected. Successfully executing organizational change, including 
management transitions at leadership levels of the Company and succession plans for senior management, is critical to our 
business success. While we follow a disciplined, ongoing succession planning process and have succession plans in place 
for senior management and other key executives, these do not guarantee that the services of qualified senior executives will 
continue to be available to us at particular moments in time. Further, changes in immigration laws and policies could also 
make it more difficult for us to recruit or relocate highly skilled technical, professional and management personnel to meet 
our business needs.

Legal claims and proceedings could adversely impact our business.

As a global company serving consumers in more than 200 countries and territories, we may be subject to a wide 

variety of legal claims and proceedings, including disputes relating to intellectual property, contracts, product liability, 
marketing, advertising, foreign exchange controls, antitrust and trade regulation, as well as labor and employment, pension, 
data privacy and security, environmental and tax matters and consumer class actions. Regardless of their merit, these 
claims can require significant time and expense to investigate and defend. Since litigation is inherently uncertain, there is 
no guarantee that we will be successful in defending ourselves against such claims or proceedings, or that our assessment 
of the materiality of these matters, including any reserves taken in connection therewith, will be consistent with the 
ultimate outcome of such matters. In addition, if one of our products, or an ingredient contained in our products, is 
perceived or found to be defective or unsafe, we may need to recall or reformulate some of our products. Whether or not a 
legal claim or proceeding is successful, or a recall or reformulation is required, such assertions could have an adverse effect 
on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the negative publicity surrounding them 
could harm our reputation and brand image. The resolution of, or increase in the reserves taken in connection with, one or 
more of these matters in any reporting period could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, 
cash flows and financial condition for that period. See Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” and Note 13, Commitments and 
Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on certain of our legal claims and 
proceedings.

9

Disruption in our global supply chain or key office facilities could adversely impact our business.

We are engaged in manufacturing and sourcing of products and materials on a global scale. Our operations and those 

of our suppliers or contract manufacturers could be disrupted by a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

environmental events;

  widespread health emergencies, such as the novel coronavirus or other pandemics or epidemics;

strikes and other labor disputes;

disruptions in logistics;

loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites; 

loss of key suppliers or contract manufacturers;

supplier capacity constraints;

raw material and product quality or safety issues;

industrial accidents or other occupational health and safety issues;

the impact on our suppliers of tighter credit or capital markets;

the lack of availability of qualified personnel, such as truck drivers;

governmental incentives and controls (including import and export restrictions, such as new or increased tariffs, 
sanctions, quotas or trade barriers); and 

natural disasters, including climatic events (including any potential effect of climate change) and earthquakes, acts 
of war or terrorism, political unrest or uncertainty, fires or explosions and other external factors over which we 
have no control.

In addition, we purchase certain key raw and packaging materials from single-source suppliers or a limited number of 

suppliers and new suppliers may have to be qualified under industry, governmental and Colgate standards, which can 
require additional investment and take a significant period of time.

We believe that the supplies of raw materials needed to manufacture our products are adequate. In addition, we have 

business continuity and contingency plans in place for key manufacturing sites and the supply of raw and packaging 
materials. Nonetheless, a significant disruption to the manufacturing or sourcing of products or materials for any reason, 
including those mentioned above, could interrupt product supply and, if not remedied, could have an adverse impact on our 
business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

In addition, as a result of our global shared service organizational model, certain of our functions, such as marketing, 

payroll, finance and accounting, customer service and logistics, and human resources, are concentrated in key office 
facilities. A significant disruption to any of our key office facilities for any reason, including those mentioned above, could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A cyber-security incident, data breach or a failure of a key information technology system could adversely impact 
our business.

We rely extensively on information technology systems (“IT Systems”), including some which are managed, hosted, 
provided and/or used by third parties, including cloud-based service providers, and their vendors, in order to conduct our 
business. Our uses of these systems include, but are not limited to:

communicating within our company and with other parties, including our customers and consumers;

ordering and managing materials from suppliers;

converting materials to finished products;

receiving and processing orders from, shipping products to and invoicing our customers and consumers;

  marketing products to consumers;

collecting, storing, transferring and/or processing customer, consumer, employee, vendor, investor and other 
stakeholder information and personal data, including, but not limited to, such data from residents of the European 
Union who are covered by the General Data Protection Regulation, which went into effect on May 25, 2018, and 
residents of the State of California who are covered by the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which went 
into effect on January 1, 2020;

processing transactions, including but not limited to employee payroll, employee and retiree benefits and 
payments to customers and vendors;

hosting, processing and sharing confidential and proprietary research, intellectual property, business plans and 
financial information;

summarizing and reporting results of operations, including financial reporting;

  managing our banking and other cash liquidity systems and platforms;

complying with legal, regulatory and tax requirements;

providing data security; and 

handling other processes involved in managing our business.

Although we have a broad array of information security measures in place, our IT Systems, including those of third-

party service providers with whom we have contracted, have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to computer 
viruses or other malicious codes, unauthorized access attempts, phishing and other cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks and other 
cyber incidents are occurring more frequently, are constantly evolving in nature, are becoming more sophisticated and are 
being made by groups, individuals and nation states with a wide range of expertise and motives. Such cyber-attacks and 
cyber incidents can take many forms, including cyber extortion, social engineering, password theft or introduction of 
viruses or malware, such as ransomware through phishing emails. We cannot guarantee that our security efforts will 
prevent breaches or breakdowns of our, or our third-party service providers’, IT Systems since the techniques used in these 
attacks change frequently and may be difficult to detect for periods of time. In addition, although we have policies and 
procedures in place to ensure that all personal information collected by us or our third-party service providers is securely 
maintained, data breaches due to human error or intentional or unintentional conduct have occurred and likely will continue 
to occur.  Although we have seen no material impact on our business operations from the cyber-security attacks and data 
breaches we have experienced to date, if we suffer a loss or disclosure of confidential business or stakeholder information 
as a result of a breach of our IT Systems, including those of third-party service providers with whom we have contracted, 
we may suffer reputational, competitive and/or business harm, incur significant costs and be subject to government 
investigations, litigation, fines and/or damages, which may adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows 
and financial condition. 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furthermore, while we have disaster recovery and business continuity plans in place, if our IT Systems are damaged, 

breached or cease to function properly for any reason, including the poor performance of, failure of or cyber-attack on 
third-party service providers, catastrophic events, power outages, cyber-security breaches, network outages, failed upgrades 
or other similar events and, if the disaster recovery and business continuity plans do not effectively resolve such issues on a 
timely basis, we may suffer interruptions in our ability to manage or conduct business as well as reputational harm, and 
may be subject to governmental investigations and litigation, any of which may adversely impact our business, results of 
operations, cash flows and financial condition. 

Uncertain global economic conditions, disruptions in the credit markets or changes to our credit ratings may 
adversely affect our business.

Uncertain global economic conditions could adversely affect our business. Unfavorable global economic conditions, 

such as a recession, economic slowdown and/or continued reduced category growth rates, have impacted and could 
continue to negatively impact our business and could result in declining revenues, profitability and cash flows. Although 
we continue to devote significant resources to support our brands and market our products at multiple price points, during 
periods of economic uncertainty consumers may reduce consumption or switch to “private label” or economy brands, 
which could reduce sales volumes of our products or result in a shift in our product mix from higher margin to lower 
margin product offerings. Additionally, our retailers may be impacted and they may increase pressure on our selling prices 
or increase promotional activity for lower-priced or value offerings as they seek to maintain sales volumes and margins.

While we currently generate significant cash flows from ongoing operations and have access to global credit markets 
through our various financing activities, a disruption in the credit markets, interest rate increases or changes to our credit 
ratings could negatively impact the availability or cost of funding. Reduced access to credit or increased costs could 
adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources or significantly increase our cost of capital. In addition, if any financial 
institutions that hold our cash or other investments or that are parties to our undrawn revolving credit facilities supporting 
our commercial paper programs or other financing arrangements, such as interest rate, foreign exchange or commodity 
hedging instruments, were to declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, they may be unable to perform under their 
agreements with us. This could leave us with reduced borrowing capacity or unhedged against certain interest rate, foreign 
currency or commodity price exposures. In addition, tighter credit markets may lead to business disruptions for certain of 
our suppliers, contract manufacturers or trade customers which could, in turn, adversely impact our business, results of 
operations, cash flows and financial condition.

12

We have pursued and may continue to pursue acquisitions and divestitures, which could adversely impact our 
business.

We have pursued and may continue to pursue acquisitions of brands, businesses or technologies from third parties.  

Acquisitions and their pursuit involve numerous potential risks, including, among other things:

realizing the full extent of the expected benefits or synergies as a result of a transaction, within the anticipated 
time frame, or at all; 

successfully integrating the operations, technologies, services, products and systems of the acquired brands or 
businesses in an effective, timely and cost-efficient manner; 

receiving necessary consents, clearances and approvals in connection with a transaction; 

diverting management’s attention from other business priorities;  

successfully operating in new lines of business, channels of distribution or markets; 

retaining key employees, partners, suppliers and customers of the acquired business; 

conforming standards, controls, procedures and policies of the acquired business with our own;

developing or launching products with acquired technologies; and 

other unanticipated problems or liabilities.

Moreover, acquisitions could result in substantial additional debt, exposure to contingent liabilities, such as litigation 
or earn-out obligations, the potential impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, or transaction costs. Any of these 
risks, should they materialize, could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition.  

We also may periodically divest brands or businesses. These divestitures may adversely impact our business, results of 

operations, cash flows and financial condition if we are unable to offset the dilutive impacts from the loss of revenue 
associated with the divested brands or businesses, or otherwise achieve the anticipated benefits or cost savings from the 
divestitures. In addition, businesses under consideration for, or otherwise subject to, divestiture may be adversely impacted 
prior to the divestiture, which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial 
condition.

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax matters, including changes in tax rates, disagreements with taxing authorities and imposition of new taxes could 
negatively impact our business. 

We are subject to taxes in the U.S. and in the foreign jurisdictions where we do business. Due to economic and 
political conditions, tax rates in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions have been and may be subject to significant 
change. Changes in the mix of our earnings from countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of 
deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws, including how existing tax laws are interpreted or enforced, or 
contemplated changes in long-standing tax principles, if finalized and adopted, could adversely impact our future effective 
tax rate and business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. For example, longstanding international tax 
norms that determine each country’s jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade are evolving as a result of the Base 
Erosion and Profit Shifting reporting requirements (“BEPS”) recommended by the G8, G20 and Organization for 
Economic Cooperation and Development. In connection with BEPS, companies are required to disclose more information 
to tax authorities on operations around the world, which may lead to greater audit scrutiny of profits earned in countries 
outside of the U.S.  As this and other tax laws and related regulations change, our business, results of operations, cash 
flows and financial condition could be materially impacted. For more information regarding U.S. tax reform, see Note 11, 
Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Furthermore, we are subject to regular reviews, examinations and audits by the Internal Revenue Service and other 
taxing authorities with respect to taxes inside and outside of the U.S. Although we believe our tax positions are reasonable, 
if a taxing authority disagrees with the positions we have taken, we could face additional tax liabilities, including interest 
and penalties, in excess of reserves. The payment of such additional amounts upon final adjudication of any disputes could 
adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. 

Climate change may have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. 

It has been reported that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have an adverse impact on 

global temperatures, weather patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. The 
predicted effects of climate change may also exacerbate challenges regarding the availability and quality of water. In 
addition, concern over climate change may result in new or additional legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or 
mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment. Despite our sustainability efforts, any failure to achieve our 
sustainability goals to reduce our impact on the environment or the perception (whether or not valid) that we have failed to 
act responsibly with respect to the environment or to effectively respond to new or additional legal or regulatory 
requirements regarding climate change could result in adverse publicity and adversely affect our business and reputation. 
There is also increased focus, including by governmental and non-governmental organizations, investors, customers, 
consumers and other stakeholders on these and other sustainability matters, including deforestation and the use of plastic, 
energy and water. Our reputation could be damaged if we do not (or are perceived not to) act responsibly with respect to 
sustainability matters, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.  

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

14

ITEM 2. 

PROPERTIES

The Company owns or leases approximately 320 properties, which include manufacturing, distribution, research and 
office facilities worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in leased property at 300 Park Avenue, New York, New 
York.

In the U.S., the Company operates in approximately 60 properties, of which 13 are owned. Major U.S. manufacturing 

and warehousing facilities used by the Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment of our business are located in 
Greenwood, South Carolina; Morristown, Tennessee; and Cambridge, Ohio. The Pet Nutrition segment has major 
manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Emporia, Kansas; Richmond, Indiana; and Topeka, 
Kansas. 

Overseas, the Company operates in approximately 260 properties, of which 60 are owned, in over 80 countries. Major 

overseas manufacturing and warehousing facilities used by the Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment of our 
business are located in Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Greece, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South 
Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela. The Pet Nutrition segment has major manufacturing and warehousing facilities in 
the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

The primary research center for Oral and Personal Care products is located in Piscataway, New Jersey, the primary 
research center for Home Care products is located in Mexico and the primary research center for Pet Nutrition products is 
located in Topeka, Kansas. Our global data center is also located in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The Company has shared business service centers in India, Mexico and Poland, which are located in leased properties.

All of the facilities we operate are well maintained and adequate for the purpose for which they are intended.

15

ITEM 3. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As a global company serving consumers in more than 200 countries and territories, the Company is routinely subject 
to a wide variety of legal proceedings. These include disputes relating to intellectual property, contracts, product liability, 
marketing, advertising, foreign exchange controls, antitrust and trade regulation, as well as labor and employment, pension, 
data privacy and security, environmental and tax matters, and consumer class actions. Management proactively reviews and 
monitors the Company’s exposure to, and the impact of, environmental matters. The Company is party to various 
environmental matters and, as such, may be responsible for all or a portion of the cleanup, restoration and post-closure 
monitoring of several sites.

The Company establishes accruals for loss contingencies when it has determined that a loss is probable and that the 
amount of loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Any such accruals are adjusted thereafter as appropriate to 
reflect changes in circumstances.

The Company also determines estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of reasonably possible losses in excess 

of related accrued liabilities, if any, when it has determined that a loss is reasonably possible and it is able to determine 
such estimates. For those matters disclosed below for which the amount of any potential losses can be reasonably 
estimated, the Company currently estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of any accrued 
liabilities is $0 to approximately $225 million (based on current exchange rates). The estimates included in this amount are 
based on the Company’s analysis of currently available information and, as new information is obtained, these estimates 
may change. Due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and the unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, 
any amounts accrued or included in this aggregate amount may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company. Thus, the 
Company’s exposure and ultimate losses may be higher or lower, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued 
or the range disclosed above.

Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of loss contingencies arising 

from the matters discussed herein will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or its 
ongoing results of operations or cash flows. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties noted above, an adverse 
outcome in one or more matters could be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular 
quarter or year.

Brazilian Matters

There are certain tax and civil proceedings outstanding, as described below, related to the Company’s 1995 acquisition 

of the Kolynos oral care business from Wyeth (the “Seller”).

The Brazilian internal revenue authority has disallowed interest deductions and foreign exchange losses taken by the 

Company’s Brazilian subsidiary for certain years in connection with the financing of the Kolynos acquisition. The tax 
assessments with interest, penalties and any court-mandated fees, at the current exchange rate, are approximately $152 
million. This amount includes additional assessments received from the Brazilian internal revenue authority in April 2016 
relating to net operating loss carryforwards used by the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary to offset taxable income that had 
also been deducted from the authority’s original assessments. The Company has been disputing the disallowances by 
appealing the assessments since October 2001. There is one case currently on appeal at the administrative level. In the 
event the Company is ultimately unsuccessful in this administrative appeal, further appeals are available within the 
Brazilian federal courts.  

In September 2015, the Company lost one of its appeals at the administrative level and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian 
federal court. In February 2017, the Company lost an additional administrative appeal and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian 
federal court. In April 2019, the Company lost another administrative appeal and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian federal court. 
Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the 
disallowances are without merit and that the Company should ultimately prevail. The Company is challenging these 
disallowances vigorously.

16

 
In July 2002, the Brazilian Federal Public Attorney filed a civil action against the federal government of Brazil, 
Laboratorios Wyeth-Whitehall Ltda. (the Brazilian subsidiary of the Seller) and the Company, as represented by its 
Brazilian subsidiary, in the 6th. Lower Federal Court in the City of São Paulo, seeking to annul an April 2000 decision by 
the Brazilian Board of Tax Appeals that found in favor of the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary on the issue of whether it had 
incurred taxable capital gains as a result of the divestiture of Kolynos. The action seeks to make the Company’s Brazilian 
subsidiary jointly and severally liable for any tax due from the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary. The case has been pending 
since 2002, and the Lower Federal Court has not issued a decision. Although there can be no assurances, management 
believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the Company should ultimately prevail in this action. The 
Company is challenging this action vigorously.

In December 2005, the Brazilian internal revenue authority issued to the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary a tax 

assessment with interest, penalties and any court-mandated fees of approximately $63 million, at the current exchange rate, 
based on a claim that certain purchases of U.S. Treasury bills by the subsidiary and their subsequent disposition during the 
period 2000 to 2001 were subject to a tax on foreign exchange transactions. The Company had been disputing the 
assessment within the internal revenue authority’s administrative appeals process. However, in November 2015, the 
Superior Chamber of Administrative Tax Appeals denied the Company’s final administrative appeal and the Company has 
filed a lawsuit in the Brazilian federal court. In the event the Company is unsuccessful in this lawsuit, further appeals are 
available within the Brazilian federal courts. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the 
opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the tax assessment is without merit and that the Company should ultimately 
prevail. The Company is challenging this assessment vigorously.

Competition Matters

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have historically been subject to investigations, and, in some cases, fines, by 

governmental authorities in a number of countries related to alleged competition law violations. Substantially all of these 
matters also involved other consumer goods companies and/or retail customers. The Company’s policy is to comply with 
antitrust and competition laws and, if a violation of any such laws is found, to take appropriate remedial action and to 
cooperate fully with any related governmental inquiry. The status as of December 31, 2019 of competition law matters 
pending against the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019 is set forth below.

In December 2014, the French competition law authority found that 13 consumer goods companies, including 
the Company’s French subsidiary, exchanged competitively sensitive information related to the French home 
care and personal care sectors, for which the Company’s French subsidiary was fined $57 million. In addition, 
as a result of the Company’s acquisition of the Sanex personal care business in 2011 from Unilever N.V. and 
Unilever PLC (together with Unilever N.V., “Unilever”) pursuant to a Business and Share Sale and Purchase 
Agreement (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”), the French competition law authority found that the 
Company’s French subsidiary, along with Hillshire Brands Company (formerly Sara Lee Corporation (“Sara 
Lee”)), were jointly and severally liable for fines of $25 million assessed against Sara Lee’s French 
subsidiary. The Company is indemnified for these fines by Unilever pursuant to the Sale and Purchase 
Agreement. The fines were confirmed by the Court of Appeal in October 2016. The Company appealed the 
decision of the Court of Appeal on behalf of the Company and Sara Lee in the French Supreme Court. In 
March 2019, the French Supreme Court denied the Company’s appeal.

In July 2014, the Greek competition law authority issued a statement of objections alleging a restriction of 
parallel imports into Greece. The Company responded to this statement of objections. In July 2017, the 
Company received the decision from the Greek competition law authority in which the Company was fined 
$11 million. The Company appealed the decision to the Greek courts. In April 2019, the Greek courts 
affirmed the judgment against the Company’s Greek subsidiary, but reduced the fine to $10.5 and dismissed 
the case against Colgate-Palmolive Company.  The Company’s Greek subsidiary has appealed the decision to 
the Greek Supreme Court.

17

 
 
 
Talcum Powder Matters

The Company has been named as a defendant in civil actions alleging that certain talcum powder products that were 

sold prior to 1996 were contaminated with asbestos. Most of these actions involve a number of co-defendants from a 
variety of different industries, including suppliers of asbestos and manufacturers of products that, unlike the Company’s 
products, were designed to contain asbestos. As of December 31, 2019, there were 121 individual cases pending against the 
Company in state and federal courts throughout the United States, as compared to 239 cases as of December 31, 2018. 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, 110 new cases were filed and 228 cases were resolved by voluntary dismissal, 
dismissal by the court, judgment in the Company’s favor or settlement. During the year ended December 31, 2019, one 
case resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the Company after a trial, which is now pending appeal by the plaintiff, and one 
case resulted in an adverse jury verdict after a trial, which the Company is appealing. The value of the settlements and of 
the adverse jury verdict in the year presented was not material, either individually or in the aggregate, to such period’s 
results of operations.

The Company believes that a significant portion of its costs incurred in defending and resolving these claims will be 

covered by insurance policies issued by several primary, excess and umbrella insurance carriers, subject to deductibles, 
exclusions, retentions and policy limits.

While the Company and its legal counsel believe that these cases are without merit and intend to challenge them 
vigorously, there can be no assurances regarding the ultimate resolution of these matters. With the exception of the case 
where the Company received an adverse jury verdict, the range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued liabilities 
disclosed above does not include any amount relating to these cases because the amount of any possible losses from such 
cases currently cannot be reasonably estimated.

ERISA Matter

In June 2016, a putative class action claiming that residual annuity payments made to certain participants in the 

Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan (the “Plan”) did not comply with the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act was filed against the Plan, the Company and certain individuals in the United States 
District Court for the Southern District of New York. This action has been certified as a class action. The relief sought 
includes recalculation of benefits, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees. The Company is contesting this 
action vigorously. Since the amount of any potential loss from this case currently cannot be reasonably estimated, the range 
of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued liabilities disclosed above does not include any amount relating to the 
case.

ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

18

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

For information regarding the market for the Company’s common stock, including stock price performance graphs, 
refer to “Market Information” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. For information regarding the number of common 
shareholders of record, refer to “Historical Financial Summary” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. For information 
regarding the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, refer to “Security Ownership of 
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” included in Part III, Item 12 of this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On June 18, 2018, the Board authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate 

purchase price of up to $5 billion under a new share repurchase program (the “2018 Program”), which replaced a 
previously authorized share repurchase program (the "2015 Program"). The Board also has authorized share repurchases on 
an ongoing basis to fulfill certain requirements of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs. The shares are 
repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, subject to 
market conditions, customary blackout periods and other factors.

The following table shows the stock repurchase activity for the three months in the quarter ended December 31, 2019:

Month

October 1 through 31, 2019

November 1 through 30, 2019

December 1 through 31, 2019

Total

Total Number of 
Shares 
Purchased(1)

Average Price
Paid per Share

1,174,592

609,802

672,010

2,456,404

$

$

$

$

69.14

66.60

67.92

68.18

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
as Part of Publicly 
Announced Plans 
or Programs(2)

Approximate 
Dollar Value of 
Shares That May 
Yet Be Purchased 
Under the Plans 
or Programs(3)   
 (in millions)

1,134,000

608,630

642,039

2,384,669

3,366

3,325

3,282

_______
(1) 

Includes share repurchases under the 2018 Program and those associated with certain employee elections under the Company’s compensation and 
benefit programs.

(2) 

(3) 

The difference between the total number of shares purchased and the total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or 
programs is 71,735 shares, which represents shares deemed surrendered to the Company to satisfy certain employee elections under the 
Company’s compensation and benefit programs.

Includes approximate dollar value of shares that were available to be purchased under the publicly announced plans or programs that were in 
effect as of December 31, 2019.

ITEM 6. 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Refer to the information set forth under the caption “Historical Financial Summary” included in Part IV, Item 15 of 

this report.

19

 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS 

OF OPERATIONS

Executive Overview

Colgate-Palmolive Company (together with its subsidiaries, “we,” the “Company” or “Colgate”) seeks to deliver 

strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns by providing consumers globally with products that 
make their lives healthier and more enjoyable.

To this end, we are tightly focused on two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Within 

these segments, we follow a closely defined business strategy to grow our key product categories and increase our overall 
market share. Within the categories in which we compete, we prioritize our efforts based on their capacity to maximize the 
use of the organization’s core competencies and strong global equities and to deliver sustainable long-term growth.

Operationally, we are organized along geographic lines with management teams having responsibility for the business 

and financial results in each region. We compete in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide with established 
businesses in all regions contributing to our sales and profitability. Approximately 70% of our Net sales are generated from 
markets outside the U.S., with approximately 50% of our Net sales coming from emerging markets (which consist of Latin 
America, Asia (excluding Japan), Africa/Eurasia and Central Europe). This geographic diversity and balance help to reduce 
our exposure to business and other risks in any one country or part of the world.

The Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment is managed geographically in five reportable operating segments: 

North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa/Eurasia, all of which sell primarily to a variety of 
traditional and eCommerce retailers, wholesalers and distributors. Through Hill’s Pet Nutrition, we also compete on a 
worldwide basis in the pet nutrition market, selling products principally through authorized pet supply retailers, 
veterinarians and eCommerce retailers. 

On an ongoing basis, management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor business health and performance. 
These indicators include net sales (including volume, pricing and foreign exchange components), organic sales growth (net 
sales growth excluding, the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, and divestments), a non-GAAP financial measure, 
and gross profit margin, operating profit, net income and earnings per share, in each case, on a GAAP and non-GAAP 
basis, as well as measures used to optimize the management of working capital, capital expenditures, cash flow and return 
on capital. In addition, we review market share data to assess how our brands are performing within their categories on a 
global and regional basis. The monitoring of these indicators and our Code of Conduct and corporate governance practices 
help to maintain business health and strong internal controls. For additional information regarding non-GAAP financial 
measures and the Company's use of market share data and the limitations of such data, see “Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures” and "Market Share Information" below.

To achieve our business and financial objectives, we are focused on innovating our core businesses; improving our 
brand building activities with an elevated brand purpose model and the use of equity advertising; innovating to gain market 
share in high growth segments and adjacencies; expanding into new channels and markets; maximizing growth online; and 
investing to drive consumption in growing populations. We continue to develop initiatives to build strong relationships 
with consumers, dental, veterinary and skin health professionals and traditional and eCommerce retailers. In addition, we 
continue to invest behind our brands, not just in terms of advertising, but also to build key growth capabilities in areas such 
as innovation and data and analytics. We also continue to broaden our eCommerce offerings, including direct-to-consumer 
and subscription services. We continue to believe that growth opportunities are greater in those areas of the world in which 
economic development and rising consumer incomes expand the size and number of markets for the Company’s products. 
We are also working to integrate our sustainability strategy across our organization.

We are also changing the way we work to drive growth and how we approach innovation to respond to the dynamic 

retail landscape and the evolving preferences of our customers and consumers. The retail landscape, the ease of new 
entrants into the market in many of our categories and the evolving preferences of our customers and consumers demand 
that we work differently and faster in an agile, authentic and culturally relevant manner to drive innovation.

20

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

The investments needed to support growth are developed through continuous, Company-wide initiatives to lower costs 

and increase effective asset utilization. Through these initiatives, which are referred to as our funding-the-growth 
initiatives, we seek to become even more effective and efficient throughout our businesses. These initiatives are designed 
to reduce costs associated with direct materials, indirect expenses, distribution and logistics, and advertising and 
promotional materials, among other things, and encompass a wide range of projects, examples of which include raw 
material substitution, reduction of packaging materials, consolidating suppliers to leverage volumes and increasing 
manufacturing efficiency through SKU reductions and formulation simplification. We also continue to prioritize our 
investments in high growth segments within our Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition businesses, including by 
expanding our portfolio in premium skin health. 

21

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Significant Items Impacting Comparability

On September 19, 2019, the Company acquired Laboratoires Filorga Cosmétiques S.A. (“Filorga”), a skin health 

business, for cash consideration of €1,548 (approximately $1,712). Filorga is a premium anti-aging skin health brand 
focused primarily on facial care. The acquisition was financed with a combination of debt and cash. This acquisition is part 
of our strategy to focus on high growth segments within our Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition businesses, 
including by expanding our portfolio in premium skin health. See Note 3, Acquisitions to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information. 

In December 2019, the Swiss government enacted changes to its corporate tax regime, which included, among other 
items, the repeal of certain preferential tax regimes and an increase to the cantonal tax rate for future periods. Additionally, 
the government provided transition rules which allowed companies to record goodwill for tax purposes, partially offsetting 
the impact on cash taxes of the higher cantonal rate over the next ten years. As a result of these changes, the Company 
recorded an estimated net benefit of $29 to the Provision for income taxes.

In 2019, the Company received a favorable judgment regarding certain value-added tax previously paid in Brazil. As a 

result of the favorable judgment, during the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company filed an application with the Brazilian 
government to recover value-added tax previously paid and recorded a benefit of $30 pretax ($20 aftertax). The recovery 
will be utilized to offset corporate income tax payments in Brazil in future periods.

In January 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Physicians Care Alliance, LLC and 
Elta MD Holdings, Inc., professional skin health businesses, for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $730. See 
Note 3, Acquisitions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or “U.S. tax reform”), in the fourth quarter of 
2017, the Company recorded a provisional charge of $275 based on its initial analysis of the TCJA using information and 
estimates available as of February 15, 2018, the date on which the Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2017. During 2018, the Company finalized its assessment of the impact of the TCJA and 
recognized an additional tax expense of $80 reflecting the impact of transition tax guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury 
and the update of certain estimates and calculations based on information available through the end of 2018.

Our restructuring program, known as the “Global Growth and Efficiency Program,” concluded on December 31, 2019. 
The program’s initiatives were designed to help us ensure sustained solid worldwide growth in unit volume, organic sales, 
operating profit and earnings per share and to enhance our global leadership positions in our core businesses. Substantially 
all initiatives under the program were implemented as of December 31, 2019.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The initiatives under the Global Growth and Efficiency Program focused on the following areas:

  Expanding Commercial Hubs

  Extending Shared Business Services and Streamlining Global Functions

  Optimizing Global Supply Chain and Facilities

Savings, substantially all of which have been realized, are projected to be in the range of $640 to $660 pretax ($580 to 

$590 aftertax) annually. Substantially all of the savings are expected to increase future cash flows. Total pretax charges 
resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were $1,854 pretax ($1,380 aftertax), in line with the previously 
disclosed range.

In 2019 and 2018, we incurred aftertax costs of $102 and $125, respectively, resulting from the Global Growth and 
Efficiency Program. For more information regarding the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, see “Restructuring and 
Related Implementation Charges” below and Note 4, Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

22

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Effective January 1, 2019, as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), the Company adopted 
ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which superseded Topic 840, "Leases," which was further modified in ASU No. 
2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases," ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842) Targeted 
Improvements" and ASU No. 2019-01 "Leases (Topic 842) Codification Improvements" to clarify the implementation 
guidance. The new accounting standard required the recognition on the balance sheet of right-of-use assets and leases 
liabilities for all long-term leases, including operating leases. The Company elected the optional transition method and 
adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019, on a modified retrospective basis, with no restatement of prior period 
amounts. As allowed under the new accounting standard, the Company elected to apply practical expedients to carry 
forward the original lease determinations, leases classifications and accounting of initial direct costs for all asset classes at 
the time of adoption. The Company also elected not to separate lease components from non-lease components and to 
exclude short-term leases from its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company's adoption of the new standard resulted in 
the recognition of right-of-use assets of $458 and liabilities of $574, with no material cumulative effect adjustment to 
equity as of the date of adoption. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, as required, the Company reclassified 
certain restructuring reserves incurred in connection with the Global Growth and Efficiency Program (see Note 4, 
Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information) 
and deferred rent liabilities as reductions to lease assets. Adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on 
the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income or Cash Flows. See Note 15, Leases to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information.

23

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Outlook

Looking forward, we expect global macroeconomic, political and market conditions to remain challenging. Although 

we have seen improvement in category growth rates, we expect category growth rates to remain below historical levels. 
While the global marketplace in which we operate has always been highly competitive, we continue to experience 
heightened competitive activity in certain markets from strong local competitors, from other large multinational 
companies, some of which have greater resources than we do, and from new entrants into the market in many of our 
categories. Such activities have included more aggressive product claims and marketing challenges, as well as increased 
promotional spending and geographic expansion. We have also been negatively affected by changes in the policies or 
practices of our retail trade customers in key markets, such as inventory de-stocking, limitations on access to shelf space or 
delisting of our products. In addition, the retail landscape in many of our markets continues to be impacted by the rapid 
growth of eCommerce retailers, changing consumer preferences (as consumers increasingly shop online) and the 
emergence of alternative retail channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-consumer businesses. This rapid 
growth in eCommerce and the emergence of alternative retail channels have created and may continue to create pricing 
pressures and/or adversely affect our relationships with our key retailers. In addition, given that approximately 70% of our 
Net sales originate in markets outside the U.S., we have experienced and will likely continue to experience volatile foreign 
currency fluctuations and higher raw and packaging material costs. While we have taken, and will continue to take, 
measures to mitigate the effect of these conditions, should they persist, they could adversely affect our future results. In 
addition, although we are taking steps to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus on our business, we expect it will 
negatively impact our business and results of operations in the near term. Because this situation is continuing to develop, 
the full extent of the impact is not yet known and will depend on, among other things, the duration of quarantines and other 
travel restrictions, both within China and into and out of China, and the degree to which the virus spreads beyond currently 
affected geographies. For more information about factors that could impact our business see Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors."

In summary, we believe we are well prepared to meet the challenges ahead due to our strong financial condition, 

experience operating in challenging environments and continued focus on our key priorities: growing sales through 
engaging with consumers, developing world-class innovation and working with retail partners; driving efficiency on every 
line of the income statement to increase margins; generating strong cash flow performance and utilizing that cash 
effectively to enhance total shareholder return; and leading to win by staying true to the Company’s culture and focusing 
on its stakeholders. Our commitment to these priorities, together with the strength of our global brands, our broad 
international presence in both developed and emerging markets and cost-saving initiatives, such as our funding-the-growth 
initiatives, should position us well to increase shareholder value over the long term.

24

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Results of Operations

        This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year 
comparisons between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that 
are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2018.

Net Sales

Worldwide Net sales were $15,693 in 2019, up 1.0% from 2018, as volume growth of 2.5% and net selling price 
increases of 2.0% were partially offset by negative foreign exchange of 3.5%. The Company’s acquisition of Filorga 
increased volume by 0.5%. Organic sales (Net sales excluding, as applicable, the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions 
and divestments), a non-GAAP financial measure as discussed below, increased 4.0% in 2019.

Net sales in the Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment were $13,168 in 2019, even with 2018, as volume 
growth of 2.5% and net selling price increases of 1.5% were offset by negative foreign exchange of 4.0%. The Company’s 
acquisition of Filorga increased volume by 0.5%. Organic sales in the Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment 
increased 3.5% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in 2019 versus 2018 was due to increases in Oral Care, Personal Care and Home Care 
organic sales. The increase in Oral Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the toothpaste category. The increase 
in Personal Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the skin health, body wash, bar soap, shampoo and underarm 
protection categories, partially offset by a decline in organic sales in the liquid hand soap category. The increase in Home 
Care was due to organic sales growth in the liquid cleaner and fabric softener categories.

The Company’s share of the global toothpaste market was 41.1% for full year 2019, down 0.7 share points from full 

year 2018, and its share of the global manual toothbrush market was 31.6% for full year 2019, down 0.5 share points from 
full year 2018. Full year 2019 market shares in toothpaste were flat in Europe and down in all other operating units versus 
full year 2018. In the manual toothbrush category, full year 2019 market shares were down in all operating units versus full 
year 2018. For additional information regarding the Company’s use of market share data and limitations of such data, see 
“Market Share Information” below.

Net sales for Hill’s Pet Nutrition were $2,525 in 2019, an increase of 6.0% from 2018, driven by volume growth of 
3.5% and net selling price increases of 4.0%, partially offset by negative foreign exchange of 1.5%. Organic sales for Hill’s 
Pet Nutrition increased 7.5% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in 2019 versus 2018 was primarily due to increases in organic sales in the Science Diet 

and Prescription Diet categories.

25

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Gross Profit/Margin

Worldwide Gross profit increased 1% to $9,325 in 2019 from $9,231 in 2018. Gross profit in both periods included 

charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. Excluding these charges in both periods and 
acquisition-related costs in 2019, Gross profit increased to $9,336 in 2019 from $9,262 in 2018, reflecting an increase of 
$90 resulting from higher Net sales, partially offset by a decrease of $16 resulting from lower Gross profit margin.  

Worldwide Gross profit margin was 59.4% in 2019, even with 2018. Excluding charges resulting from the Global 
Growth and Efficiency Program in both periods and acquisition-related costs in 2019, Gross profit margin decreased by 10 
basis points (bps) to 59.5% in 2019, from 59.6% in 2018. This decrease in Gross profit margin was primarily due to higher 
raw and packaging material costs (300 bps), which included foreign exchange transaction costs, largely offset by cost 
savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives (220 bps) and higher pricing (70 bps).

Gross profit, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Acquisition-related costs

Gross profit, non-GAAP

Gross profit margin, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Acquisition-related costs

Gross profit margin, non-GAAP

2019

2018

9,325

$

9,231

8

3

31

—

9,336

$

9,262

$

$

2019

2018

Basis Point
Change

59.4%

59.4%

—

0.1

—

0.2

—

59.5%

59.6%

(10)

26

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $5,575 in 2019 from $5,389 in 2018. Selling, general and 

administrative expenses in both periods included charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. 
Excluding these charges in both periods, Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $5,515 in 2019 from 
$5,356 in 2018, reflecting increased advertising investment of $104 and higher overhead expenses of $55.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales increased to 35.5% in 2019 from 34.7% in 
2018. Excluding charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program in both periods, Selling, general and 
administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales were 35.1% in 2019, an increase of 60 bps as compared to 2018. This 
increase in 2019 was due to increased advertising investment (60 bps) as a percentage of Net sales. In 2019, advertising 
investment increased as a percentage of Net sales to 10.8% from 10.2% in 2018 or 6.5% in absolute terms to $1,694 as 
compared with $1,590 in 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program
Selling, general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales,
GAAP
Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales,
non-GAAP

2019

2018

$

$

5,575
(60)
5,515

$

$

5,389
(33)
5,356

2019

2018

Basis Point
Change

35.5%
(0.4)

34.7%
(0.2)

35.1%

34.5%

80

60

27

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net was $196 and $148 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Other (income) expense, net in both 
periods included charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. Other (income) expense, net in 2019 also 
included acquisition-related costs and the benefit related to a value-added tax matter in Brazil.

Other (income) expense, net, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Acquisition-related costs

Value-added tax matter in Brazil

Other (income) expense, net, non-GAAP

2019

2018

$

196
(57)
(21)
30

148

$

148
(88)
—

—

60

$

$

Excluding the items described above in both periods, as applicable, Other (income) expense, net was $148 in 2019 and 

$60 in 2018, comprised of the following:

Amortization of intangible assets
Equity income
Write-off of certain investments and fixed assets
Charges for a change in go-to-market strategy in certain countries
Other, net
Total Other (income) expense, net

2019

2018

62
(9)
51
15
29
148

$

59
(10)
1
—
10
60

$

28

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Operating Profit

Operating profit decreased 4% to $3,554 in 2019 from $3,694 in 2018. 

In 2019 and 2018, Operating profit included charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. In 
2019, Operating profit also included acquisition-related costs and a benefit related to a value-added tax matter in Brazil. 
Excluding these items in both periods, as applicable, Operating profit in 2019 decreased 4% compared to 2018, due to a 
decrease in Gross profit and increases in both Selling, general and administrative expenses and Other (income) expense.

Operating profit margin was 22.6% in 2019, a decrease of 120 bps compared with 23.8% in 2018. Excluding charges 
resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program in both periods and acquisition-related costs and a benefit related 
to a value-added tax matter in Brazil in 2019, Operating profit margin decreased 130 bps to 23.4% in 2019 compared to 
24.7% in 2018. This decrease in Operating profit in 2019 was due to a decrease in Gross profit (10 bps) and increases in 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (60 bps) and Other (income) expense, net (60 bps), all as a percentage of Net 
sales.

Operating profit, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program
Acquisition-related costs
Value-added tax matter in Brazil
Operating profit, non-GAAP

Operating profit margin, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Acquisition-related costs

Value-added tax matter in Brazil

Operating profit margin, non-GAAP

Non-Service Related Postretirement Costs

2019

2018

% Change

$

$

3,554

$

125
24
(30)
3,673

$

3,694

152
—
—
3,846

(4)%

(4)%

2019

2018

Basis Point
Change

22.6%

0.8

0.2
(0.2)
23.4%

23.8%

(120)

0.9

—

—

24.7%

(130)

Non-service related postretirement costs were $108 in 2019 compared to $87 in 2018. Non-service related 

postretirement costs in both periods included charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. Excluding 
these charges in both periods, Non-service related postretirement costs were $101 in 2019 compared to $78 in 2018. The 
increase in Non-service related postretirement costs in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to a lower expected 
return on plan assets and increased interest costs.

Non-service related postretirement costs, GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Non-service related postretirement costs, non-GAAP

Interest (Income) Expense, Net

2019

2018

$

$

108
(7)
101

$

$

87
(9)
78

Interest (income) expense, net was $145 in 2019 compared with $143 in 2018. The increase in Interest (income) 
expense, net in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to lower interest income on investments held outside the 
United States. 

29

 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 23.4% in 2019 and 26.2% in 2018. As reflected in the table below, the non-GAAP 

effective income tax rate was 24.1% in 2019 and 24.2% in 2018. 

As Reported GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Acquisition-related costs

Value-added tax matter in Brazil

Swiss income tax reform

Non-GAAP

As Reported GAAP

Global Growth and Efficiency Program

Benefit from a foreign tax matter

U.S. tax reform

Non-GAAP

2019

Income Before
Income Taxes

Provision For 
Income Taxes(1)

Effective Income 
Tax Rate(2)

3,301

$

132

24
(30)
—

3,427

$

774

30

4
(10)
29

827

23.4%

—

—
(0.1)
0.8

24.1%

2018

Income Before
Income Taxes

Provision For 
Income Taxes(1)

Effective Income 
Tax Rate(2)

3,464

$

161

—

—

3,625

$

906

37

15
(80)
878

26.2%
(0.1)
0.4
(2.3)
24.2%

$

$

$

$

_______   
(1)  

The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) 
of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment. 

(2)  

The impact of non-GAAP items on the Company’s effective tax rate represents the difference in the effective tax rate calculated with and without the 
non-GAAP adjustment on Income before income taxes and Provision for income taxes.

As a result of the enactment of the TCJA in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a provisional charge 
of $275, based on its initial analysis of the TCJA using information and estimates available as of February 15, 2018, the 
date on which the Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. During 2018, the 
Company finalized its assessment of the impact of the TCJA and recognized an additional tax expense of $80 reflecting the 
impact of transition tax guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury and the update of certain estimates and calculations based on 
information available through the end of 2018. 

The effective income tax rate in all years benefited from tax planning associated with the Company’s global business 

initiatives.

30

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per share

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company was $2,367, or $2.75 per share on a diluted basis, in 2019 
compared to $2,400, or $2.75 per share on a diluted basis, in 2018. In 2019 and 2018, Net income attributable to Colgate-
Palmolive Company included aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. In 2019, Net income 
attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company also included aftertax acquisition-related costs, an aftertax benefit related to a 
value-added tax matter in Brazil and a tax benefit related to Swiss income tax reform. In 2018, Net income attributable to 
Colgate-Palmolive Company also included a benefit from a foreign tax matter and a charge related to U.S. tax reform. See 
"Income Taxes" above for additional information.

Excluding the items described above in both periods, as applicable, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive 
Company decreased 6% to $2,440 in 2019 and Diluted earnings per share decreased 5% to $2.83, as compared to 2018.

As Reported GAAP
Global Growth and Efficiency
Program
Acquisition-related costs

Value-added tax matter in
Brazil
Swiss income tax reform
Non-GAAP

Income
Before
Income
Taxes

$

3,301

Provision 
For 
Income 
Taxes(1)
774

$

132
24

30
4

(30)
—
3,427

$

$

(10)
29
827

$

As Reported GAAP
Global Growth and Efficiency
Program
Benefit from a foreign tax matter
U.S. tax reform
Non-GAAP

Income
Before
Income
Taxes
$ 3,464

161
—
—
$ 3,625

Provision 
For 
Income 
Taxes(1)
906
$

37
15
(80)
878

$

$

$

2019

Net Income
Including
Noncontrolling
Interests

Less: Income
Attributable To
Noncontrolling
Interests

Net Income
Attributable to
Colgate-
Palmolive
Company

$

2,527

$

160

$

2,367

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per 
Share(2)
2.75
$

102
20

(20)
(29)
2,600

$

2018

—
—

—
—
160

$

102
20

0.12
0.02

(20)
(29)
2,440

$

(0.02)
(0.04)
2.83

Net Income
Including
Noncontrolling
Interests

Less: Income
Attributable To
Noncontrolling
Interests

Net Income
Attributable to
Colgate-
Palmolive
Company

2,558

$

158

$

2,400

Diluted 
Earnings 
Per 
Share(2)
2.75
$

124
(15)
80
2,747

$

(1)
—
—
157

$

125
(15)
80
2,590

$

0.15
(0.02)
0.09
2.97

_______                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
(1)  

The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) 
of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.

(2)  

The impact of non-GAAP adjustments on diluted earnings per share may not necessarily equal the difference between “GAAP” and “non-GAAP” as 
a result of rounding.

31

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Segment Results

The Company markets its products in over 200 countries and territories throughout the world in two product segments: 

Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, 
including Operating profit. The Company uses Operating profit as a measure of the operating segment performance 
because it excludes the impact of corporate-driven decisions related to interest expense and income taxes.

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

3,424
982
28.7%

3,348
1,037

31.0%

2.0 %
(5) %
(230) bps

Net sales in North America increased 2.0% in 2019 to $3,424, as volume growth of 2.0% and net selling price 
increases of 0.5% were partially offset by negative foreign exchange of 0.5%. Organic sales in North America increased 
2.5% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in North America in 2019 versus 2018 was due to increases in Oral Care, Personal Care 

and Home Care organic sales. The increase in Oral Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the toothpaste 
category, partially offset by declines in organic sales in the manual toothbrush and mouthwash categories. The increase in 
Personal Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the skin health, body wash and bar soap categories, partially 
offset by a decline in organic sales in the liquid hand soap category. The increase in Home Care was primarily due to 
organic sales growth in the liquid cleaner and fabric softener categories, partially offset by a decline in organic sales in the 
hand dish category. 

Operating profit in North America decreased 5% in 2019 to $982, or 230 bps to 28.7% of Net sales. This decrease in 
Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was due to a decrease in Gross profit (130 bps), an increase in Selling, general 
and administrative expenses (70 bps) and an increase in Other (income) expense, net (30 bps), all as a percentage of Net 
sales. This decrease in Gross profit was primarily due to higher raw and packaging material costs (300 bps), partially offset 
by cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives (210 bps). This increase in Selling, general and 
administrative expenses was due to increased advertising investment (50 bps) and higher overhead expenses (20 bps). This 
increase in Other (income) expense, net was primarily due to the write-off of certain fixed assets.

32

 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Latin America

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

3,606
963
26.7%

3,605
995
27.6%

— %
(3) %
(90) bps

Net sales in Latin America were $3,606 in 2019, even with 2018, as volume growth of 3.0% and net selling price 
increases of 4.0% were offset by negative foreign exchange of 7.0%. Volume gains were led by Mexico, Brazil and Central 
America. Organic sales in Latin America increased 7.0% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in Latin America in 2019 versus 2018 was due to increases in Oral Care, Personal Care 
and Home Care organic sales. The increase in Oral Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the toothpaste and 
manual toothbrush categories. The increase in Personal Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the bar soap and 
shampoo categories. The increase in Home Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the liquid cleaner, fabric 
softener and hand dish categories. 

Operating profit in Latin America decreased 3% in 2019 to $963, or 90 bps to 26.7% of Net sales. This decrease in 

Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was primarily due to an increase in Selling, general and administrative 
expenses (80 bps), partially offset by an increase in Gross profit (10 bps), both as a percentage of Net sales. This increase 
in Gross profit was primarily due to cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives (240 bps) and higher 
pricing, which were partially offset by higher raw and packaging material costs (360 bps), which included foreign 
exchange transaction costs. This increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was due to higher overhead 
expenses (70 bps) and increased advertising investment (10 bps).

33

 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Europe

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

2,450
624
25.5%

2,502
634
25.3%

(2.0) %
(2) %
20 bps

Net sales in Europe decreased 2.0% in 2019 to $2,450, as volume growth of 4.0% was more than offset by net selling 

price decreases of 0.5% and negative foreign exchange of 5.5%. Volume gains were led by France, Spain and the United 
Kingdom. The Filorga acquisition, which closed on September 19, 2019, contributed 3.0% to volume in Europe. Organic 
sales in Europe increased 0.5% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in Europe in 2019 versus 2018 was primarily due to an increase in Oral Care organic 
sales, partially offset by a decline in Personal Care organic sales. The increase in Oral Care was driven by organic sales 
growth in the toothpaste category, partially offset by a decline in organic sales in the battery-powered toothbrush category. 
The decrease in Personal Care was primarily due to declines in organic sales in the liquid hand soap and shampoo 
categories.

Operating profit in Europe decreased 2% in 2019 to $624, while as a percentage of Net sales it increased 20 bps to 

25.5%. This increase in Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was primarily due to an increase in Gross profit (80 
bps), partially offset by an increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses (50 bps), both as a percentage of Net 
sales. This increase in Gross profit was primarily due to cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives 
(170 bps) and mix (80 bps) primarily due to the Company's acquisition of Filorga, partially offset by higher raw and 
packaging material costs (140 bps). This increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was due to higher 
overhead expenses (30 bps) and increased advertising investment (20 bps).

34

 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Asia Pacific

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

2,707
749
27.7%

2,734
777
28.4%

(1.0) %
(4) %
(70) bps

Net sales in Asia Pacific decreased 1.0% in 2019 to $2,707, as volume growth of 0.5% and net selling price increases 
of 1.0% were more than offset by negative foreign exchange of 2.5%. Volume gains were led by the Philippines, Australia 
and Thailand. Organic sales in Asia Pacific increased 1.5% in 2019. 

The increase in organic sales in 2019 versus 2018 was primarily due to an increase in Oral Care organic sales. The 
increase in Oral Care was driven by organic sales growth in the toothpaste category, partially offset by a decline in organic 
sales in the manual toothbrush category. 

Operating profit in Asia Pacific decreased 4% in 2019 to $749, or 70 bps to 27.7% of Net sales. This decrease in 
Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was primarily due to a decrease in Gross profit (10 bps) and an increase in 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (70 bps), both as a percentage of Net sales. This decrease in Gross profit was 
primarily due to higher raw and packaging material costs (310 bps), largely offset by cost savings from the Company’s 
funding-the-growth initiatives (270 bps) and higher pricing. This increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses 
was due to increased advertising investment (80 bps), partially offset by lower overhead expenses (10 bps).

35

 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Africa/Eurasia

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

981
187
19.1%

967
173
17.9%

1.5 %
8 %
120 bps

Net sales in Africa/Eurasia increased 1.5% in 2019 to $981, as volume growth of 3.5% and net selling price increases 
of 4.0% were partially offset by negative foreign exchange of 6.0%. Volume gains were led by Russia, Kenya and the Gulf 
States. The Company’s acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in Colgate Toloram Pte. Ltd., a joint venture which owns 
the Nigeria-based Hypo Homecare Products Limited (the "Nigeria Joint Venture"), contributed 0.5% to volume in Africa/
Eurasia. Organic sales in Africa/Eurasia increased 7.0% in 2019.

The increase in organic sales in 2019 versus 2018 was primarily due to an increase in Oral Care organic sales. The 

increase in Oral Care was primarily due to organic sales growth in the toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories.

Operating profit in Africa/Eurasia increased 8% in 2019 to $187, or 120 bps to 19.1% of Net sales. This increase in 
Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was primarily due to an increase in Gross Profit (170 bps), partially offset by 
an increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses (50 bps), both as a percentage of Net sales. This increase in 
Gross profit was mainly driven by cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives (290 bps) and higher 
pricing, partially offset by higher raw and packaging material costs (380 bps), which included foreign exchange transaction 
costs. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was due to increased advertising investment (130 bps), 
partially offset by lower overhead expenses (80 bps).

36

 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Net sales
Operating profit
% of Net sales

2019

2018

% Change

$
$

$
$

2,525
703
27.8%

2,388
680
28.5%

6.0 %
3 %
(70) bps

Net sales for Hill’s Pet Nutrition increased 6.0% in 2019 to $2,525, as volume growth of 3.5% and net selling price 
increases of 4.0% were partially offset by negative foreign exchange of 1.5%. Volume gains were led by the United States, 
Western Europe and Australia. Organic sales in Hill’s Pet Nutrition increased 7.5% in 2019. 

The increase in organic sales in 2019 versus 2018 was due to organic sales growth in the Science Diet and Prescription 

Diet categories.

Operating profit in Hill’s Pet Nutrition increased to $703 in 2019 from $680 in 2018, while as a percentage of Net 
sales it decreased 70 bps to 27.8%. This decrease in Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was due to a decrease in 
Gross profit (40 bps) and an increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses (30 bps), both as a percentage of Net 
sales. This decrease in Gross profit was primarily due to higher raw and packaging material costs (300 bps), partially offset 
by cost savings from the Company’s funding-the-growth initiatives (160 bps) and higher pricing. This increase in Selling, 
general and administrative expenses was due to increased advertising investment (140 bps), partially offset by lower 
overhead expenses (110 bps).

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, Hill’s announced a voluntary recall, which was subsequently expanded, of 

select canned dog food products due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D resulting from a supplier error. In the 
United States, the voluntary recall was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Following 
the announcement of the voluntary recall, and as of December 31, 2019, Hill’s and/or the Company have been named as 
defendants in 37 putative class action lawsuits, one putative class action filed on behalf of a European Union class and one 
individual action, all related to the voluntary recall and filed in various jurisdictions in the United States. In addition, two 
putative class actions related to the voluntary recall have been filed in Canada. Eight of the putative class actions lawsuits 
in the United States have been voluntarily dismissed. Hill’s is entitled to indemnification from the supplier related to the 
voluntary recall. Sales of products voluntarily recalled represent less than 2% of Hill’s annual Net sales. The sales loss and 
other costs associated with the voluntary recall and subsequent expansion did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
Net sales or Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2019 and are not expected to have a material impact in 
future periods.

37

 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Corporate

Operating profit (loss)

2019

2018

% Change

$

(654) $

(602)

9 %

Corporate operations include Corporate overhead costs, research and development costs, stock-based compensation 

expense related to stock options and restricted stock unit awards, restructuring and related implementation costs and gains 
and losses on sales of non-core product lines. The components of Operating profit (loss) for the Corporate segment are 
presented as follows:

Global Growth and Efficiency Program
Acquisition-related costs
Value-added tax matter in Brazil
Corporate overhead costs and other, net
Total Corporate Operating profit (loss)

2019

2018

(125) $
(24)
30
(535)
(654) $

(152)
—
—
(450)
(602)

$

$

Excluding charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency program in both years and acquisition-related costs and 

the benefit related to a value-added tax matter in Brazil in 2019, Corporate Operating profit (loss) increased in 2019 as 
compared to 2018, driven primarily by the write-off of certain investments and fixed assets and higher compensation 
expense.

Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges 

Global Growth and Efficiency Program 

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company commenced the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. The program was 

expanded in 2014, expanded and extended in each of 2015 and 2017 and expanded again on October 31, 2019 to take 
advantage of additional savings opportunities near the end of the program. The program concluded on December 31, 2019. 
Substantially all initiatives under the program have been implemented as of December 31, 2019.

Initiatives under the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were designed to help the Company ensure sustained solid 

worldwide growth in unit volume, organic sales, operating profit and earnings per share and to enhance its global 
leadership positions in its core businesses, producing significant benefits in the Company’s long-term business 
performance. The major objectives of the program included:

  Becoming even stronger on the ground through the continued evolution and expansion of proven global and 

regional commercial capabilities. 

Simplifying and standardizing how work gets done by increasing technology-enabled collaboration and 
taking advantage of global data and analytic capabilities, leading to smarter and faster decisions. 

  Reducing structural costs to continue to increase the Company’s gross and operating profit.

  Building on Colgate’s current position of strength to enhance its leading market share positions worldwide 

and ensure sustained sales and earnings growth.

38

 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

The initiatives under the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were focused on the following areas:

  Expanding Commercial Hubs – Building on the success of the hub structure implemented around the world, 

streamlining operations in order to drive smarter and faster decision-making, strengthen capabilities available 
on the ground and improve cost structure.

  Extending Shared Business Services and Streamlining Global Functions – Optimizing the Company’s shared 
service organizational model in all regions of the world and continuing to streamline global functions to 
improve cost structure.

  Optimizing Global Supply Chain and Facilities – Continuing to optimize manufacturing efficiencies, global 
warehouse networks and office locations for greater efficiency, lower cost and speed to bring innovation to 
market.

Savings, substantially all of which have been realized, are projected to be in the range of $640 to $660 pretax ($580 to 
$590 aftertax) annually. Substantially all of the savings are expected to increase future cash flows. The Company achieved 
savings in 2019 of approximately $65 pretax ($60 aftertax). Total pretax charges resulting from the Global Growth and 
Efficiency Program were $1,854 pretax ($1,380 aftertax), in line with the previously disclosed range.

Total pretax charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were comprised of the following 
categories: Employee-Related Costs, including severance, pension and other termination benefits (40%); asset-related 
costs, primarily Incremental Depreciation and Asset Impairments (10%); and Other charges, which include contract 
termination costs, consisting primarily of related implementation charges resulting directly from exit activities (30%) and 
the implementation of new strategies (20%). Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, approximately 
80% of the charges resulted in cash expenditures. 

Total pretax charges related to initiatives undertaken in North America (15%), Europe (20%), Latin America (5%), 
Asia Pacific (5%), Africa/Eurasia (5%), Hill’s Pet Nutrition (10%) and Corporate (40%), which includes substantially all of 
the costs related to the implementation of new strategies, noted above, on a global basis. The Global Growth and Efficiency 
Program contributed a net reduction of approximately 4,400 positions from the Company’s global employee workforce.  

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, restructuring and related implementation charges are reflected in 

the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:  

Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other (income) expense, net
Non-service related postretirement costs
Total Global Growth and Efficiency Program charges, pretax

Total Global Growth and Efficiency Program charges, aftertax

2019

2018

$

$

$

8
60
57
7
132

102

$

$

$

31
33
88
9
161

125

Restructuring and related implementation charges in the preceding table are recorded in the Corporate segment as 

these initiatives were predominantly centrally directed and controlled and were not included in internal measures of 
segment operating performance. 

39

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Total pretax charges incurred for the Global Growth and Efficiency Program related to initiatives undertaken by the 

following reportable operating segments:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific
Africa/Eurasia
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Corporate

Total

2019

2018

Total Program
Charges

4 %

12 %

4 %

6 %
(1)%
2 %

73 %

100 %

18 %

10 %

(2)%

13 %
5 %
19 %

37 %

100 %

17%

5%

19%

4%
5%
8%

42%

100%

Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, the Company incurred total pretax charges of $1,854 

($1,380 aftertax) in connection with the implementation of various projects as follows: 

Employee-Related Costs

Incremental Depreciation

Asset Impairments

Other

Total

Total Program Charges
as of December 31, 2019

$

$

706

128

58

962

1,854

Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, the majority of the costs incurred related to the 
following projects: the implementation of the Company’s overall hubbing strategy; the consolidation of facilities; the 
extension of shared business services and streamlining of global functions; the closing of the Morristown, New Jersey 
personal care facility; the simplification and streamlining of the Company’s research and development capabilities and oral 
care supply chain, both in Europe; redesigning the European commercial organization; restructuring how the Company will 
provide future retirement benefits to substantially all of the U.S.-based employees participating in the Company’s defined 
benefit retirement plan by shifting them to the Company’s defined contribution plan; and the implementation of a 
Corporate efficiencies program.

40

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

The following table summarizes the activity for the restructuring and related implementation charges, in the respective 

periods, discussed above and the related accruals:

Employee-Related
Costs

Incremental
Depreciation

Asset
Impairments 

Other

Total

Balance at January 1, 2017
Charges
Cash payments
Charges against assets
Foreign exchange
Other
Balance at December 31, 2017
Charges
Cash payments
Charges against assets
Foreign exchange
Other
Balance at December 31, 2018
Charges
Cash payments
Charges against assets
Foreign exchange
Other
Balance at December 31, 2019

$

$

$

$

56
163
(74)
(21)
3
—
127
53
(107)
(9)
(4)
—
60
25
(55)
(7)
3
—
26

$

$

$

$

— $
10
—
(10)
—
—
— $
2
—
(2)
—
—
— $
36
—
(36)
—
—
— $

— $
9
—
(9)
—
—
— $
16
—
(16)
—
—
— $
6
—
(6)
—
—
— $

125
151
(170)
—
1
—
107
90
(60)
—
—
5
142
65
(58)
(27)
—
(48)
74

$

$

$

$

181
333
(244)
(40)
4
—
234
161
(167)
(27)
(4)
5
202
132
(113)
(76)
3
(48)
100

Employee-Related Costs primarily include severance and other termination benefits and were calculated based on 
long-standing benefit practices, local statutory requirements and, in certain cases, voluntary termination arrangements. 
Employee-Related Costs also include pension and other retiree benefit enhancements amounting to $7, $9, and $21 for the 
years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are reflected as Charges against assets within 
Employee-Related Costs in the preceding table, as the corresponding balance sheet amounts are reflected as a reduction of 
pension assets or an increase in pension and other retiree benefit liabilities. See Note 10, Retirement Plans and Other 
Retiree Benefits to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. 

Incremental Depreciation was recorded to reflect changes in useful lives and estimated residual values for long-lived 
assets that will be taken out of service prior to the end of their normal service period. Asset Impairments were recorded to 
write down inventories and assets held for sale or disposal to their fair value based on amounts expected to be realized. 
Charges against assets within Asset Impairments were net of cash proceeds pertaining to the sale of certain assets.

Other charges consisted primarily of charges resulting directly from exit activities and the implementation of new 
strategies as a result of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. These charges for the years ended December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017 included third-party incremental costs related to the development and implementation of new business and 
strategic initiatives of $32, $42 and $145, respectively, and contract termination costs and charges resulting directly from 
exit activities of $5, $48 and $6, respectively. These charges were expensed as incurred. Also included in Other charges for 
the year ended December 31, 2019 were other exit costs of $28 related to the consolidation of facilities. 

Other decreases to the restructuring accruals in 2019 reflect the reclassification of restructuring accruals to lease assets 
as a result of the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” on January 
1, 2019. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15, Leases to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information. 

41

 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Annual Report on Form 10-K discusses certain financial measures on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. The 
Company uses the non-GAAP financial measures described below internally in its budgeting process, to evaluate segment 
and overall operating performance and as a factor in determining compensation. The Company believes that these non-
GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s underlying business performance and trends; however, 
this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a 
substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial 
measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies. 

Net sales growth (GAAP) and organic sales growth (Net sales growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange, 
acquisitions and divestments) (non-GAAP) are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management believes the 
organic sales growth measure provides investors and analysts with useful supplemental information regarding the 
Company’s underlying sales trends by presenting sales growth excluding, the external factor of foreign exchange, as well 
as the impact of acquisitions and divestments, as applicable. A reconciliation of organic sales growth to Net sales growth 
for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is provided below.

Worldwide Gross profit, Gross profit margin, Selling, general and administrative expenses, Selling, general and 
administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales, Other (income) expense, net, Operating profit, Operating profit 
margin, Non-service related postretirement costs, effective income tax rate, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive 
Company and Earnings per share on a diluted basis are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K both on a GAAP 
basis and excluding the charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program and, as applicable, acquisition-
related costs, the benefits related to a value-added tax matter in Brazil and Swiss income tax reform, the benefit from a 
foreign tax matter and the charge related to U.S. tax reform (non-GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude 
items that, either by their nature or amount, management would not expect to occur as part of the Company’s normal 
business on a regular basis, such as restructuring charges, charges for certain litigation and tax matters, gains and losses 
from certain acquisitions, divestitures and certain unusual, non-recurring items. Investors and analysts use these financial 
measures in assessing the Company’s business performance and management believes that presenting these financial 
measures on a non-GAAP basis provides them with useful supplemental information to enhance their understanding of the 
Company’s underlying business performance and trends. These non-GAAP financial measures also enhance the ability to 
compare period-to-period financial results. A reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most 
directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented within the 
applicable section of Results of Operations.

42

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

The following tables provide a quantitative reconciliation of Net sales growth to organic sales growth for the years 

ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 versus the prior year:

Year ended December 31, 2019

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care

Pet Nutrition
Total Company

Year ended December 31, 2018

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care

Pet Nutrition
Total Company

Market Share Information 

Net Sales Growth
(GAAP)

Foreign
Exchange
Impact

Acquisitions and 
Divestments
Impact 

Organic
Sales Growth
(Non-GAAP)

2.0%

—%
(2.0)%

(1.0)%

1.5%

—%

6.0%

1.0%

(0.5)%

(7.0)%

(5.5)%

(2.5)%

(6.0)%

(4.0)%

(1.5)%

(3.5)%

—%

—%

3.0%

—%

0.5%

0.5%

—%

0.5%

2.5%

7.0%

0.5%

1.5%

7.0%

3.5%

7.5%

4.0%

Net Sales Growth
(GAAP)

Foreign
Exchange
Impact

Acquisitions and
Divestments
Impact

Organic
Sales Growth
(Non-GAAP)

7.5%

(7.5)%

4.5%

(1.5)%

(1.5)%

—%

4.0%

0.5%

—%

(6.5)%

4.0%

—%

(4.0)%

(1.5)%

0.5%

(1.0)%

5.0%

—%

—%

—%

—%

1.5%

—%

1.0%

2.5%

(1.0)%

0.5%

(1.5)%

2.5%

—%

3.5%

0.5%

Management uses market share information as a key indicator to monitor business health and performance. References 

to market share in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based on a combination of consumption and market share data 
provided by third-party vendors, primarily Nielsen, and internal estimates. All market share references represent the 
percentage of the dollar value of sales of our products, relative to all product sales in the category in the countries in which 
the Company competes and purchases data (excluding Venezuela from all periods).

Market share data is subject to limitations on the availability of up-to-date information. In particular, market share data 

is currently not generally available for certain retail channels, such as eCommerce or certain discounters. The Company 
measures year-to-date market shares from January 1 of the relevant year through the most recent period for which market 
share data is available, which typically reflects a lag time of one or two months. We believe that the third-party vendors we 
use to provide data are reliable, but we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data or any assumptions 
underlying the data. In addition, market share information calculated by the Company may be different from market share 
information calculated by other companies due to differences in category definitions, the use of data from different 
countries, internal estimates and other factors.

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects cash flow from operations and debt issuances will be sufficient to meet foreseeable business 

operating and recurring cash needs (including for debt service, dividends, capital expenditures, stock repurchases and 
acquisitions). The Company believes its strong cash generation and financial position should continue to allow it broad 
access to global credit and capital markets.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operations increased to $3,133 in 2019 as compared to $3,056 in 2018, primarily due to 

improved working capital and lower income tax payments, which were partially offset by higher voluntary contributions to 
the Company’s pension plans and lower net income. The Company’s working capital as a percentage of Net sales was 
(1.6)% in 2019 and (1.7)% in 2018. This change in working capital as a percentage of Net sales is primarily due to lower 
accrued income taxes, partially offset by the impact of the Company’s adoption of the new lease accounting standard 
effective January 1, 2019. See Note 15, Leases to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The 
Company defines working capital as the difference between current assets (excluding Cash and cash equivalents and 
marketable securities, the latter of which is reported in Other current assets) and current liabilities (excluding short-term 
debt). 

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company commenced the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. The program was 

expanded in 2014, expanded and extended in each of 2015 and 2017, and expanded again on October 31, 2019 to take 
advantage of additional savings opportunities near the end of the program. The program concluded on December 31, 2019. 
Substantially all initiatives under the program were implemented as of December 31, 2019.

Total program charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were $1,854 pretax ($1,380 aftertax), 
in line with the previously disclosed range. Approximately 80% of total program charges resulting from the Global Growth 
and Efficiency Program resulted in cash expenditures. Savings from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, 
substantially all of which have been realized, are projected to be in the range of $640 to $660 pretax ($580 to $590 
aftertax) annually. Substantially all of the savings are expected to increase future cash flows. Total pretax charges for 2019 
were $132 ($102 aftertax). Savings in 2019 were approximately $65 pretax ($60 aftertax). Approximately 85% of the 
restructuring accrual at December 31, 2019 is expected to be paid before year-end 2020.

Investing activities used $2,099 of cash in 2019 compared to $1,170 during 2018. As more fully described below, 
investing activities in 2019 include the Company’s acquisition of Filorga and the Nigeria Joint Venture. Investing activities 
in 2018 include the Company’s acquisition of the outstanding equity interests of Physicians Care Alliance, LLC and Elta 
MD Holdings, Inc. for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $730. Purchases of marketable securities and 
investments increased in 2019 to $184 from $169 in 2018. Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities and investments 
decreased in 2019 to $131 from $156 in 2018.

Capital expenditures in 2019 were $335, a decrease from $436 in 2018. Capital expenditures decreased in 2019 

primarily due to lower spending on manufacturing facilities and capital projects related to the Global Growth and 
Efficiency Program. Capital expenditures for 2020 are expected to be approximately 2.5% to 3.0% of Net sales. The 
Company continues to focus its capital spending on projects that are expected to yield high aftertax returns.

On September 19, 2019, the Company acquired Filorga for cash consideration of €1,516 (approximately $1,674) plus 

additional consideration of €32 (approximately $38), the majority of which related to repayment of loans from former 
shareholders of Filorga. On August 15, 2019, the Company acquired a 51% controlling interest in the Nigeria Joint Venture 
for $31. These acquisitions were financed with a combination of debt and cash. As a result of the incremental debt related 
to these acquisitions, the Company moderated its share repurchases in the fourth quarter of 2019 and will continue to do so 
into 2021 in order to reduce debt levels.

On January 31, 2020, the Company acquired Hello Products LLC, an oral care business, for cash consideration of 
$351 million. The acquisition was financed with a combination of debt and cash. This acquisition is part of the Company’s 
continued strategy to focus on the high growth segments within its Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition businesses.

44

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Financing activities used $870 of cash during 2019 compared to $2,679 during 2018. The decrease in cash used in 
2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to higher net proceeds from the issuance of debt and higher proceeds from the 
exercise of stock options.

Long-term debt, including the current portion, increased to $7,587 as of December 31, 2019, as compared to $6,354 as 

of December 31, 2018 and total debt increased to $7,847 as of December 31, 2019 as compared to $6,366 as of 
December 31, 2018, in both cases due primarily to the acquisition of Filorga. During the first quarter of 2019, the Company 
issued €500 of seven-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.500% and €500 of fifteen-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 
1.375%. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company issued €500 of two-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.000% 
and €500 of twenty-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.875%. The debt issuances were under the Company’s shelf 
registration statement. The debt issuances support the Company’s capital structure objectives of funding its business and 
growth initiatives while minimizing its risk-adjusted cost of capital. Proceeds from the debt issuances were used for general 
corporate purposes, which included the retirement of commercial paper and, in the case of the debt issuances in the first 
quarter of 2019, the repayment of the Company’s $500 1.75% fixed rate notes, which became due in March 2019, and €500 
floating rate notes, which became due May 2019.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had access to unused domestic and foreign lines of credit of $4,594 (including 

under the facilities discussed below) and could also issue medium-term notes pursuant to an effective shelf registration 
statement. In November 2018, the Company entered into an amended and restated $2,650 revolving credit facility with a 
syndicate of banks that was scheduled to expire in November 2023. In August 2019, the term of the facility was extended 
by one year and it now expires in November 2024. In August 2019, the Company entered into a $1,500 364-day credit 
facility with a syndicate of banks that is scheduled to expire in August 2020. Commitment fees related to the credit 
facilities are not material.

Domestic and foreign commercial paper outstanding was $829 and $534 as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 

2018, respectively. The average daily balances outstanding of commercial paper in 2019 and 2018 were $1,868 and $1,773, 
respectively. The Company classifies commercial paper and certain current maturities of notes payable as long-term debt 
when it has the intent and ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis, including, if necessary, by utilizing its 
lines of credit of $4,150 (under the facilities discussed above).

The following is a summary of the Company’s commercial paper and global short-term borrowings as of 

December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Weighted
Average
Interest Rate

1.8 %
(0.4)%

Global short-term
borrowings
Commercial Paper (1)
Total

2019

2018

Maturities

Outstanding

Weighted Average 
Interest Rate

Maturities Outstanding

2020
2020

$

$

10
829
839

5.3%
2.5%

2019
2019

$

$

12
534
546

(1) Commercial paper includes a current portion of $250, included in Notes and loans payable.

Certain of the agreements with respect to the Company’s bank borrowings contain financial and other covenants as 

well as cross-default provisions. Noncompliance with these requirements could ultimately result in the acceleration of 
amounts owed. The Company is in full compliance with all such requirements and believes the likelihood of 
noncompliance is remote. Refer to Note 6, Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
for further information about the Company’s long-term debt and credit facilities.

Dividend payments in 2019 were $1,614, an increase from $1,591 in 2018. Dividend payments increased to $1.71 per 

share in 2019 from $1.66 per share in 2018. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company increased the quarterly common 
stock dividend to $0.43 per share from $0.42 per share, effective in the second quarter of 2019. 

45

 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

The Company repurchases shares of its common stock in the open market and in private transactions to maintain its 
targeted capital structure and to fulfill certain requirements of its compensation and benefit plans. On June 18, 2018, the 
Board authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate purchase price of up to 
$5,000 under the 2018 Program, which replaced the 2015 Program. The Board also has authorized share repurchases on an 
ongoing basis to fulfill certain requirements of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs. The shares are 
repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, subject to 
market conditions, customary blackout periods and other factors.

Aggregate share repurchases in 2019 consisted of approximately 16.0 million common shares under the 2018 Program 

and 1.2 million common shares to fulfill the requirements of compensation and benefit plans, for a total purchase price of 
$1,202. Aggregate repurchases in 2018 consisted of 8.9 million common shares under the 2018 Program, 8.7 million 
common shares under the 2015 Program and 1.1 million common shares to fulfill the requirements of compensation and 
benefit plans, for a total purchase price of $1,238. 

Cash and cash equivalents increased $157 during 2019 to $883 at December 31, 2019, compared to $726 at 
December 31, 2018. Cash and cash equivalents held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries was $798 and $651, 
respectively, at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The following represents the scheduled maturities of the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:

Long-term debt including current portion(1)
Net cash interest payments on long-term debt(2)
Operating Leases
Purchase obligations(3)
U.S. tax reform payments

Total

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

$

7,018
1,999

$ 267
153

$ 860
146

$ 903
131

$ 895
106

$ 498
89

$

3,595
1,374

735
559

220

167
291

—

127
148

10

101
93

25

63
8

46

36
12

62

241
7

77

Total

$ 10,531

$ 878

$1,291

$1,253

$1,118

$ 697

$

5,294

_______
(1)  The Company classifies commercial paper and notes maturing within the next 12 months as long-term debt when it has the intent 

(2) 

and ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis. The amounts in this table exclude such obligations.
Includes the net interest payments on fixed and variable rate debt and associated interest rate swaps. Interest payments associated 
with floating rate instruments are based on management’s best estimate of projected interest rates for the remaining term of variable 
rate debt.

(3)  The Company had outstanding contractual obligations with suppliers at the end of 2019 for the purchase of raw, packaging and 

other materials and services in the normal course of business. These purchase obligation amounts represent only those items which 
are based on agreements that are legally binding and that specify all significant terms including minimum quantity, price and term 
and do not represent total anticipated purchases.

Long-term liabilities associated with the Company’s postretirement plans are excluded from the table above due to the 
uncertainty of the timing of these cash disbursements. The amount and timing of cash funding related to these benefit plans 
will generally depend on local regulatory requirements, various economic assumptions (the most significant of which are 
detailed in “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates” below) and voluntary Company contributions. Based on 
current information, the Company is not required to make a mandatory contribution to its qualified U.S. pension plan in 
2020. The Company does not expect to make any voluntary contributions to its U.S. postretirement plans in 2020. In 
addition, total benefit payments to be paid to participants for the year ending December 31, 2020 from the Company’s 
assets are estimated to be approximately $55.

Additionally, liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits are excluded from the table above as the Company is 
unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of a settlement of such liabilities. See Note 11, Income Taxes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

As more fully described in Part I, Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” and Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies to the 

Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has commitments and contingencies with respect to lawsuits, 
environmental matters, taxes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business.

46

 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have off-balance sheet financing or unconsolidated special purpose entities.

Managing Foreign Currency, Interest Rate, Commodity Price and Credit Risk Exposure

The Company is exposed to market risk from foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity price 

fluctuations. Volatility relating to these exposures is managed on a global basis by utilizing a number of techniques, 
including working capital management, selling price increases, selective borrowings in local currencies and entering into 
selective derivative instrument transactions, issued with standard features, in accordance with the Company’s treasury and 
risk management policies. The Company’s treasury and risk management policies prohibit the use of derivatives for 
speculative purposes and leveraged derivatives for any purpose.

The sensitivity of our financial instruments to market fluctuations is discussed below. See Note 2, Summary of 

Significant Accounting Policies and Note 7, Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements for further discussion of derivatives and hedging policies and fair value measurements.

Foreign Exchange Risk

As the Company markets its products in over 200 countries and territories, it is exposed to currency fluctuations 
related to manufacturing and selling its products in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages its foreign 
currency exposures through a combination of cost-containment measures, sourcing strategies, selling price increases and 
the hedging of certain costs in an effort to minimize the impact on earnings of foreign currency rate movements. See the 
“Results of Operations” section above for discussion of the foreign exchange impact on Net sales in each operating 
segment.

The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates with 
resulting translation gains and losses accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Income and expense 
items are translated into U.S. dollars at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.

The Company primarily utilizes foreign currency contracts, including forward and swap contracts, option contracts, 
foreign and local currency deposits and local currency borrowings to hedge portions of its exposures relating to foreign 
currency purchases, assets and liabilities created in the normal course of business and the net investment in certain foreign 
subsidiaries. The duration of foreign currency contracts generally does not exceed 12 months and the contracts are valued 
using observable market rates.

The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting resulted in a net 

unrealized loss of $6 and a net unrealized gain of $9 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Changes in the fair 
value of cash flow hedges are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) and are reclassified into earnings in the same 
period or periods during which the underlying hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. At the end of 2019, an 
unfavorable 10% change in exchange rates would have resulted in a net unrealized loss of $82.

47

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Interest Rate Risk

The Company manages its mix of fixed and floating rate debt against its target with debt issuances and by entering into 

interest rate swaps in order to mitigate fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may result from interest rate volatility. 
The notional amount, interest payment and maturity date of the swaps generally match the principal, interest payment and 
maturity date of the related debt, and the swaps are valued using observable benchmark rates.

Based on year-end 2019 variable rate debt levels, a 1% increase in interest rates would have increased Interest 

(income) expense, net by $9 in 2019.

The Company is assessing the impact of the discontinuation of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate on its current 
financial instruments and contractual arrangements, including debt outstanding, and believes it will not be material as the 
Company does not have significant exposure to LIBOR in either its debt or other financing arrangements. The Company 
will continue to monitor its exposure in subsequent periods.

Commodity Price Risk

The Company is exposed to price volatility related to raw materials used in production, such as resins, essential oils, 

pulp, tropical oils, tallow, poultry, corn and soybeans. The Company manages its raw material exposures through a 
combination of cost containment measures, ongoing productivity initiatives and the limited use of commodity hedging 
contracts. Futures contracts are used on a limited basis, primarily in the Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment, to manage volatility 
related to anticipated raw material inventory purchases of certain traded commodities.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s open commodity derivative contracts, which qualify for cash flow 
hedge accounting, were not material. At the end of 2019, an unfavorable 10% change in commodity futures prices would 
have resulted in a net unrealized loss of $1.

Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to the risk of credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial 
instrument contracts; however, nonperformance is considered unlikely and any nonperformance is unlikely to be material 
as it is the Company’s policy to contract with diverse, credit-worthy counterparties based upon both strong credit ratings 
and other credit considerations. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 
(“ASU”) No. 2020-01, “Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 
323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)-Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.” 
The guidance provides clarification of the interaction of rules for equity securities, the equity method of accounting and 
forward contracts and purchase options on certain types of securities. This new guidance is effective for the Company 
beginning on January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is currently assessing the impact of the 
new guidance, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for 

Income Taxes.” This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general 
principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This new 
guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is 
currently assessing the impact of the new guidance, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial 

Instruments- Credit Losses.” This ASU clarifies and addresses certain items related to amendments in ASU 2016-13. This 
new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020. This new guidance is not expected to have a 
material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

48

 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

In July 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-07, “Codification Updates to SEC Sections - Amendments to SEC 
Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 
and 33-10442, Investment Company Reporting Modernization and Miscellaneous Updates.” ASU 2019-07 clarified or 
improved the disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of codification topics by aligning them with the SEC’s 
regulations, thereby eliminating redundancies and making the codification easier to apply. This ASU was effective upon 
issuance and did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments-Credit 

Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Financial Instruments (Topic 825).” This ASU clarifies 
three topics related to financial instruments accounting. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on 
January 1, 2020. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured 

Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge 
Accounting Purposes.” The new guidance permits the use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest 
rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective 
basis beginning on January 1, 2019, concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2017-12, and did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Topic 

350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service 
Contract.” This new guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting 
arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or 
obtain internal-use software. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective or retrospective basis 
beginning on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance early, beginning 
on January 1, 2019, on a prospective basis. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-

General (Topic 715): Disclosure Framework–Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This 
new guidance removes certain disclosures that are not considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain required disclosures and 
requires certain additional disclosures. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a retrospective basis 
beginning on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance early, beginning 
on January 1, 2019, on a retrospective basis. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - 

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This new guidance removes certain disclosure 
requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, modifies existing disclosure requirements related to measurement 
uncertainty and adds new disclosure requirements. The new disclosure requirements include disclosing the changes in 
unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value 
measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable 
inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on 
January 1, 2020. Certain disclosure requirements in the new guidance will need to be applied on a retrospective basis and 
others on a prospective basis.  This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 
220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which 
permits the reclassification of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or “U.S. tax 
reform”) from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to Retained earnings. This new guidance was effective for 
the Company beginning on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and must be applied either in the period of 
adoption or retrospectively to periods in which the effects of the TCJA are recognized. The Company elected to adopt this 
new guidance early, beginning on January 1, 2018, and reclassified $163 during the first quarter of 2018.

49

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements 

to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” amending the eligibility criteria for hedged items and transactions to expand an 
entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to 
separately measure and present hedge ineffectiveness and aligns the presentation of hedge gains and losses with the 
underlying hedge item. The new guidance also simplifies the hedge documentation and hedge effectiveness assessment 
requirements. The amended presentation and disclosure requirements must be adopted on a prospective basis, while any 
amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption must be applied on a 
“modified retrospective” basis, meaning a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of 
the beginning of the year of adoption. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and did not 
have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of 
Modification Accounting,” clarifying when a change to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award must be 
accounted for as a modification. The new guidance requires modification accounting if the fair value, vesting condition or 
the classification of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the 
award. The new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018 and did not 
impact the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, as it is not the Company’s practice to change either the terms or 
the conditions of stock-based payment awards once they are granted.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation–Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the 
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” changing the presentation of the 
net periodic benefit cost on the Statement of Income and limiting the amount of net periodic benefit cost eligible for 
capitalization to assets. The new guidance permits only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be 
eligible for capitalization. The new guidance also requires entities to present the service cost component of net periodic 
benefit cost together with compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The non-
service related components of net periodic benefit cost, which include interest, expected return on assets, amortization of 
prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses, are required to be presented outside of Operating profit.  The line item or 
items used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, if not separately described on the Statement of Income. The new presentation requirement was 
adopted on a “full retrospective” basis, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented in the financial 
statements, while the limitation on capitalization was adopted on a prospective basis. Effective January 1, 2018, as 
required, the Company adopted this standard on a retrospective basis. As permitted by the new guidance, the Company 
used the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as 
the basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. As a result, for all periods presented, only the service 
related component of pension and other postretirement benefit costs is included in Operating profit. 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the 
Test for Goodwill Impairment,” eliminating the requirement to calculate implied fair value, essentially eliminating step two 
from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard requires goodwill impairment to be based upon the results of step one 
of the impairment test, which is defined as the excess of the carrying value of a reporting unit over its fair value. The 
impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard is effective for 
the Company on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2020. This new guidance is expected to have no impact on the 
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition 

of a Business,” which provides additional guidance on evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as 
acquisitions of assets or businesses. The guidance requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the 
assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, 
then the new guidance would define the transaction as an asset acquisition. If the threshold is not met, then the entity 
would, pursuant to the guidance, evaluate whether the assets meet the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, 
an input and substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The guidance was 
effective for the Company, on a prospective basis, beginning on January 1, 2018. This new guidance had no impact on the 
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

50

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain 

Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which clarifies how certain cash receipts and payments are to be presented in the 
statement of cash flows. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. This new guidance had no 
impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326).” This ASU 
introduces the current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which will require an entity to measure credit losses for certain 
financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. Under this update, on initial recognition and at each 
reporting period, an entity will be required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit 
losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. This new guidance is effective for the Company 
beginning on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on lease accounting, ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” 

which superseded Topic 840, “Leases.” which was further modified in ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to 
Topic 842, Leases,” ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” and ASU No. 2019-01 “Leases 
(Topic 842) Codification Improvements” to clarify the implementation guidance. The new accounting standard was 
effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019 and required the recognition on the balance sheet of right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities for all long-term leases, including operating leases, on the balance sheet. The Company elected 
the optional transition method and adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019, on a modified retrospective basis, with no 
restatement of prior period amounts. As allowed under the new accounting standard, the Company elected to apply 
practical expedients to carry forward the original lease determinations, lease classifications and accounting of initial direct 
costs for all asset classes at the time of adoption. The Company also elected not to separate lease components from non-
lease components and to exclude short-term leases from its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s adoption of the 
new standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of $458 and liabilities of $574, with no material cumulative 
effect adjustment to equity as of the date of adoption. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, as required, the 
Company reclassified certain restructuring reserves incurred in connection with the Global Growth and Efficiency Program 
and deferred rent liabilities as reductions to lease assets.  Adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income or Cash Flows. See Note 15 Leases for additional information.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board issued their final converged standard on 
revenue recognition. The standard, issued as ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” by 
the FASB, provides a comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes current 
revenue recognition guidance. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the 
measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize 
revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to its customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in 
exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also includes enhanced disclosures. During 2016, the FASB issued 
several accounting updates (ASU No. 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016-12) to clarify implementation guidance and correct 
unintended application of the guidance. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective 
adoption. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018, on a “modified retrospective” basis, which did not 
have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. As required, the Company recognized the 
cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the 2018 opening balance of retained 
earnings. Results for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, “Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers,” while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the 
prior accounting guidance under Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.”

51

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America requires management to use judgment and make estimates. The level of uncertainty in estimates and 
assumptions increases with the length of time until the underlying transactions are completed. Actual results could 
ultimately differ from those estimates. The accounting policies that are most critical in the preparation of the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements are those that are both important to the presentation of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and require significant or complex judgments and estimates on the part of management. The Company’s critical 
accounting policies are reviewed periodically with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

In certain instances, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America allow for the selection of 

alternative accounting methods. The Company’s significant policies that involve the selection of alternative methods are 
accounting for inventories and shipping and handling costs.

  The Company accounts for inventories using both the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method (80% of inventories) and 
the LIFO method (20% of inventories). There would have been no material impact on reported earnings for 2019 
or 2018 had all inventories been accounted for under the FIFO method.

Shipping and handling costs may be reported as either a component of Cost of sales or Selling, general and 
administrative expenses. The Company accounts for such costs, primarily related to warehousing and outbound 
freight, as fulfillment costs and reports them in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of Selling, 
general and administrative expenses. Accordingly, the Company's Gross profit margin is not comparable with the 
gross profit margin of those companies that include shipping and handling charges in cost of sales. If such costs 
had been included as a component of Cost of sales, the Company's Gross profit margin would have been lower by 
810 bps in both 2019 and 2018 and 760 bps in 2017, with no impact on reported earnings.

The areas of accounting that involve significant or complex judgments and estimates are pensions and other retiree 
benefit cost assumptions, stock-based compensation, asset impairments, uncertain tax positions, tax valuation allowances, 
legal and other contingency reserves.

In accounting for pension and other postretirement benefit costs, the most significant actuarial assumptions are the 
discount rate and the long-term rate of return on plan assets. The discount rate used to measure the benefit 
obligation for U.S. defined benefit plans was 3.40% and 4.38% as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 
The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligation for other U.S. postretirement plans was 3.56%, and 
4.43% as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Discount rates used for the U.S. and international defined 
benefit and other postretirement plans are based on a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high-quality 
bonds whose projected cash flows approximate the projected benefit payments of the plans. The assumed long-
term rate of return on plan assets for U.S. plans was 6.30% as of December 31, 2019 and 6.60% as of 2018. In 
determining the long-term rate of return, the Company considers the nature of the plans’ investments and the 
historical rate of return.

52

 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Average annual rates of return for the U.S. plans for the most recent 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and 25-year 
periods were 17%, 6%, 8%, 7% and 8%, respectively. In addition, the current assumed rate of return for the U.S. 
plans is based upon the nature of the plans’ investments with a target asset allocation of approximately 68% in 
fixed income securities, 24% in equity securities and 8% in real estate and other investments. A 1% change in the 
assumed rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. pension plans would impact future Net income attributable to 
Colgate-Palmolive Company by approximately $14. A 1% change in the discount rate for the U.S. pension plans 
would impact future Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company by approximately $3. A third 
assumption is the long-term rate of compensation increase, a change in which would partially offset the impact of 
a change in either the discount rate or the long-term rate of return. This rate was 3.50% as of December 31, 2019, 
and 2018. Refer to Note 10, Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
for further discussion of the Company’s pension and other postretirement plans.

  The assumption requiring the most judgment in accounting for other postretirement benefits (other than the 
discount rate noted above) is the medical cost trend rate. The Company reviews external data and its own 
historical trends for health care costs to determine the medical cost trend rate. The assumed rate of increase for the 
U.S. postretirement benefit plans is 6.00% for 2020, declining to 4.75% by 2025 and remaining at 4.75% for the 
years thereafter. The effect on the total of service cost and interest costs components of a 1% increase in the 
assumed long-term medical cost trend rate would decrease Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive 
Company by $7.

  The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, 

such as stock options and restricted stock units (both performance-based and time-vested), based on the fair value 
of those awards at the date of grant. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) option 
pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. The weighted-average estimated fair value of each 
stock option award granted in the year ended December 31, 2019 was $10.48. The Black-Scholes model uses 
various assumptions to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. These assumptions include the expected 
term of stock option awards, expected volatility rate, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield. While 
these assumptions do not require significant judgment, as the significant inputs are determined from historical 
experience or independent third-party sources, changes in these inputs could result in significant changes in the 
fair value of stock option awards. A one-year change in expected term would result in a change in fair value of 
approximately 5%. A 1% change in volatility would change fair value by approximately 6%. The Company uses a 
Monte-Carlo simulation to determine the fair value of performance-based restricted stock units at the date of 
grant. The Monte-Carlo simulation model uses substantially the same inputs as the Black Scholes model.

  Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets, such as the Company’s global brands, are subject to impairment 

tests at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset may be impaired. In assessing 
impairment, the Company performs either a quantitative or a qualitative analysis.  

Determining the fair value of the Company’s reporting units for goodwill and the fair value of its intangible assets 
requires significant estimates and judgments by management. When a quantitative analysis is performed, the 
Company generally uses the income approach, which requires several estimates, including future cash flows 
consistent with management’s strategic plans, sales growth rates, foreign exchange rates and the selection of 
royalty rates and a discount rate. Estimating sales growth rates requires significant judgment by management in 
areas such as future economic conditions, category growth rates, product pricing, consumer tastes and preferences 
and future expansion expectations.  In selecting an appropriate royalty rate, the Company considers recent market 
transactions for similar brands and products.  In determining an appropriate discount rate, the Company considers 
the current interest rate environment and its estimated cost of capital. Other qualitative factors the Company 
considers, in addition to those quantitative measures discussed above, include assessments of general 
macroeconomic conditions, industry-specific considerations and historical financial performance.  The Company 
generally engages a third-party valuation firm to assist it in determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired 
in business combinations.

53

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

In determining the fair value of the Company’s reporting units, fair value is also determined using the market 
approach, which is generally derived from metrics of comparable publicly traded companies. As multiple 
valuation methodologies are used, the Company also performs a qualitative analysis comparing the fair value of a 
reporting unit under each method to assess its reasonableness and ensure consistency of results.

Determining the expected life of a brand requires management judgment and is based on an evaluation of several 
factors including market share, brand history, future expansion expectations, the level of in-market support 
anticipated by management, legal or regulatory restrictions and the economic environment in the countries in 
which the brand is sold.   

The estimated fair value of the Company’s intangible assets substantially exceeds the recorded carrying value, 
except for the intangible assets acquired in the Sanex acquisition in 2011 and the Filorga acquisition in 2019, 
which were recorded at fair value. Except for recently acquired businesses where there is inherently a lower 
surplus of fair value over carrying value, the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units also 
substantially exceeds the recorded carrying value. Therefore, it is not reasonably likely that significant changes in 
these estimates would occur that would result in an impairment charge related to these assets.

The Company determined that the fair value of the Sanex intangible assets exceeded their carrying value by more 
than 10% and concluded that such excess was reasonable considering the brand’s relatively recent acquisition. 
Based on this, the brand’s recent performance and the Company’s future plans for the brand, the Company does 
not believe there is a significant risk of impairment related to the Sanex intangible assets. Given the recent 
acquisition of Filorga, its performance since its acquisition and the Company’s future plans for Filorga, the 
Company does not believe there is a significant risk of impairment related to the Filorga intangible assets.

  The recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions involves consideration of the amounts and 

probabilities of various outcomes that could be realized upon ultimate resolution.

  Tax valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets, such as tax loss carryforwards, to net 

realizable value. Factors considered in estimating net realizable value include historical results by tax jurisdiction, 
carryforward periods, income tax strategies and forecasted taxable income.

  Legal and other contingency reserves are based on management’s assessment of the risk of potential loss, which 
includes consultation with outside legal counsel and other advisors. Such assessments are reviewed each period 
and revised based on current facts and circumstances, if necessary. While it is possible that the Company’s cash 
flows and results of operations in a particular quarter or year could be materially affected by the impact of such 
contingencies, based on current knowledge it is the opinion of management that these matters will not have a 
material effect on the Company’s financial position, or its ongoing results of operations or cash flows. Refer to 
Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the 
Company’s contingencies.

The Company generates revenue through the sale of well-known consumer products to trade customers under 
established trading terms. While the recognition of revenue and receivables requires the use of estimates, there is a short 
time frame (typically less than 60 days) between the shipment of product and cash receipt, thereby reducing the level of 
uncertainty in these estimates. Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for further description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

54

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the SEC in its rules, regulations and releases that set forth anticipated 
results based on management’s current plans and assumptions. Such statements may relate, for example, to sales or volume 
growth, net selling price increases, organic sales growth, profit or profit margin growth, earnings per share growth, 
financial goals, the impact of foreign exchange volatility, cost-reduction plans, tax rates, new product introductions, 
commercial investment levels, acquisitions and divestitures, or legal or tax proceedings, among other matters. These 
statements are made on the basis of the Company’s views and assumptions as of this time and the Company undertakes no 
obligation to update these statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required 
by law or by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Moreover, the Company does not, nor does any other person, assume 
responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements. The Company cautions investors that any such 
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual events or results may differ materially 
from those statements. Actual events or results may differ materially because of factors that affect international businesses 
and global economic conditions, as well as matters specific to the Company and the markets it serves, including the 
uncertain economic and political environment in different countries and its effect on consumer spending habits, foreign 
currency rate fluctuations, exchange controls, tariffs, price or profit controls, labor relations, changes in foreign or domestic 
laws, or regulations or their interpretation, political and fiscal developments, including changes in trade, tax and 
immigration policies, increased competition and evolving competitive practices (including from the growth of eCommerce 
and the entry of new competitors and business models), disruptions in global supply chain, the availability and cost of raw 
and packaging materials, the ability to maintain or increase selling prices as needed, changes in the policies of retail trade 
customers, the emergence of new sales channels, the growth of eCommerce and the changing retail landscape (as 
consumers increasingly shop online), the ability to develop innovative new products, the ability to continue lowering costs 
and operate in an agile manner, the ability to maintain the security of our information technology systems from a cyber-
security incident or data breach, the ability to achieve our sustainability goals, the ability to complete acquisitions and 
divestitures as planned, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, the ability to attract and retain key 
employees, and the uncertainty of the outcome of legal proceedings, whether or not the Company believes they have merit. 
For information about these and other factors that could impact the Company’s business and cause actual results to differ 
materially from forward-looking statements, refer to Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See “Managing Foreign Currency, Interest Rate, Commodity Price and Credit Risk Exposure” in Part II, Item 7.

55

ITEM 8. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See “Index to Financial Statements.”

ITEM 9. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of 
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019 (the “Evaluation”). Based upon the 
Evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the 
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are 
effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 

reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Management, under the 
supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 
conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal 
Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission and concluded that it is effective as of December 31, 2019. 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the 
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, and has expressed an 
unqualified opinion in their report, which appears under “Index to Financial Statements – Report of Independent 
Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company is in the process of upgrading its enterprise IT system to SAP S/4 HANA. This change is not expected 

to have a material impact on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. 

Except as noted above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

56

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

See “Information about our Executive Officers” in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

PART III

Additional information required by this Item relating to directors, executive officers and corporate governance of the 

Company is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders (the “2020 Proxy Statement”).

Code of Ethics

The Company’s Code of Conduct promotes the highest ethical standards in all of the Company’s business dealings. 
The Code of Conduct satisfies the SEC’s requirements for a Code of Ethics for senior financial officers and applies to all 
Company employees, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Vice 
President and Controller, and the Company’s directors. The Code of Conduct is available on the Company’s website at 
www.colgatepalmolive.com. Any amendment to the Code of Conduct will promptly be posted on the Company’s website. 
It is the Company’s policy not to grant waivers of the Code of Conduct. In the extremely unlikely event that the Company 
grants an executive officer a waiver from a provision of the Code of Conduct, the Company will promptly disclose such 
information by posting it on its website or by using other appropriate means in accordance with SEC rules.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information regarding executive compensation set forth in the 2020 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by 

reference.

57

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

(a)  The information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management set forth in the 2020 

Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)  The Registrant does not know of any arrangements that may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of 

the Registrant.

(c)  Equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2019:

(a)

(b)

Number of securities 
to be issued upon 
exercise of outstanding 
options, warrants and 
rights
(in thousands)

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(c)
Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
column (a))
(in thousands)

38,388 (1) $

65.04 (2)

50,958 (3)

Not applicable  
38,388  

$

Not applicable  
65.04  

Not applicable  
50,958  

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans

approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders

Total

_______
(1) 

Consists of 36,185 options outstanding and 2,203 restricted stock units awarded but not yet vested under the Company’s 2013 
Incentive Compensation Plan and the Company’s 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan, respectively, as more fully described in 
Note 8, Capital Stock and Stock-Based Compensation Plans to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) 

(3) 

Includes the weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding of $69.00 and restricted stock units of $0.00.

Amount includes 37,758 options available for issuance and 13,200 restricted stock units available for issuance under the 
Company’s 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR 

INDEPENDENCE

The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence set forth in the 

2020 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information regarding auditor fees and services set forth in the 2020 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by 

reference.

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)  Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

See “Index to Financial Statements.”

(b)  Exhibits:

Exhibit No.

Description

3-A

3-B

4

a)

b)

c)

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 3-
A to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, File No. 1-644.)

By-laws, as amended. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 3.1 to its Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2016, File No. 1-644.)

Description of Securities of the Registrant**

Indenture, dated as of November 15, 1992, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon 
(formerly known as The Bank of New York) as Trustee. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference 
Exhibit 4.1 to its Registration Statement on Form S-3 and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed on June 
26, 1992, Registration No. 33-48840.)(1)  

Colgate-Palmolive Company Employee Stock Ownership Trust Agreement dated as of June 1, 1989, as 
amended. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 4-B (b) to its Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, File No. 1-644.)

10-A a)

Colgate-Palmolive 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference 
Annex C to its 2019 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, File No. 1-644.)*

b)

c)

Form of Nonqualified Option Award Agreement used in connection with grants under the Colgate-
Palmolive Company 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference 
Exhibit 10-C to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, File No. 
1-644.)*

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement used in connection with grants under the Colgate-
Palmolive Company 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference 
Exhibit 10-D to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, File No. 
1-644.)*

10-B a)

Colgate-Palmolive Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by 
reference Annex B to its 2013 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, File No. 1-644.)*

b)

c)

d)

Form of Nonqualified Option Award Agreement used in connection with grants under the 2013 Incentive 
Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-A (b) to its Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, File No. 1-644.)*

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement used in connection with grants under the 2013 Incentive 
Compensation Plan. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-A (c) to its Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, File No. 1-644.)*

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 2019-2021 Performance Cycle. (Registrant 
hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 99 to its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2019, 
File No. 1-644.)*

59

 
 
 
 
 
10-C a)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan Trust, as amended. (Registrant
hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-B (b) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1987, File No. 1-644.)*

b)

Amendment, dated as of October 29, 2007, to the Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Incentive 
Compensation Plan Trust. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-A (b) to its Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 1-644.)*

10-D

10-E

a)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Supplemental Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan, amended and restated 
as of April 19, 2018. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10 to its Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, File No. 1-644.)*

Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Severance Plan, as amended and restated through September 13, 
2018. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-A to its Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on September 18, 2018, File No. 1-644.)*

b)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Severance Plan Trust. (Registrant hereby incorporates by
reference Exhibit 10-E (b) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987, File
No. 1-644.)*

10-F

Colgate-Palmolive Company Pension Plan for Outside Directors, as amended and restated. (Registrant 
hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-D to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1999, File No. 1-644.)*

10-G a)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Restated and Amended Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee 
Directors, as amended. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-H to its Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, File No. 1-644.)*

b)

Amendment, dated as of September 12, 2007, to the Colgate-Palmolive Company Restated and Amended 
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference 
Exhibit 10-F to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 
1-644.)*

10-H  

Colgate-Palmolive Company Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated as of September 12, 
2007. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-G to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 1-644.)*

10-I

10-J

10-K

10-L

10-M

Colgate-Palmolive Company Above and Beyond Plan – Officer Level. (Registrant hereby incorporates by 
reference Exhibit 10-A to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, 
File No. 1-644.)*

Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2018, by and among Colgate-Palmolive Company, 
as Borrower, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Arranger, and the Lenders party thereto.
(Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-I to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2018, File No. 1-644.) 

364-day Credit Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2019, among Colgate-Palmolive Company, as 
Borrower, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Arranger, and the Lenders party thereto. 
(Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-B to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarter ended September 30, 2019, File No. 1-644.)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Supplemental Savings and Investment Plan, amended and restated as of 
December 13, 2019.*,**

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Colgate-Palmolive Company and its directors, executive 
officers and certain key employees. (Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibit 10-K to its 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, File No. 1-644.)

60

 
 
 
 
21

23

24

31-A  

31-B  

32

101

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.**

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.**

Powers of Attorney.**

Certificate of the President and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 
13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.**

Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.**

Certificate of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Colgate-
Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. 
§ 1350.***

The following materials from Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2019, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (Inline XBRL):
(i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
and (vii) Financial Statement Schedule.**

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).**

__________
* 

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.  

**  Filed herewith.

*** Furnished herewith.

(1)  Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish the Commission, upon request, with a copy of any instrument with respect to 
long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of 
the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

The exhibits indicated above that are not included with the Form 10-K are available upon request and payment of a 
reasonable fee approximating the registrant’s cost of providing and mailing the exhibits. Inquiries should be directed to:

Colgate-Palmolive Company
Office of the Secretary (10-K Exhibits)
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-7499

61

 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 16.  FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

62

 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly 

caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Colgate-Palmolive Company
            (Registrant)

Date: February 21, 2020

By

/s/ Noel R. Wallace
Noel R. Wallace 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on 

February 21, 2020, by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

(a)           Principal Executive Officer

  (d)           All Other Directors:

/s/ Noel R. Wallace

/s/ Ian Cook
Ian Cook, Executive Chairman

Noel R. Wallace 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(b)           Principal Financial Officer

  Charles A. Bancroft, John P. Bilbrey,
John T. Cahill, Lisa M. Edwards, 
Helene D. Gayle, C. Martin Harris, 
Lorrie M. Norrington, Michael B. Polk, 
Stephen I. Sadove*

/s/ Henning I. Jakobsen

Henning I. Jakobsen
Chief Financial Officer

*By: /s/ Jennifer M. Daniels
Jennifer M. Daniels
As Attorney-in-Fact

(c)           Principal Accounting Officer

/s/ Philip G. Shotts
Philip G. Shotts
Vice President and Controller

63

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
Index to Financial Statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and
2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedule

Page

65

68

69

70

71

72

73

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

125

Selected Financial Data

Market Information

Historical Financial Summary

126

127

All other financial statements and schedules not listed have been omitted since the required information is included in 

the financial statements or the notes thereto or is not applicable or required.

64

  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Colgate-Palmolive Company:

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes and financial statement 
schedule, of Colgate-Palmolive Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as listed in the accompanying 
index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the 
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material 
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it 
accounts for leases in 2019. 

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective 
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial 
statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public 
accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws 
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan 
and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free 
of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial 
reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures 
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts 
and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of 
the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an 
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and 
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our 
audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We 
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

65

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable 
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the 
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated 
financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) 
relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our 
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not 
alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by 
communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the 
accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Acquisition of Laboratoires Filorga Cosmétiques - Valuation of Trademark Intangible Asset

As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, on September 19, 2019, the Company completed 
the acquisition of Laboratoires Filorga Cosmétiques for consideration of $1,712 million, of which $774 million of 
value was assigned to the trademark intangible asset. Management applied significant judgment in estimating the 
fair value of the trademark intangible asset acquired, which involved the use of significant estimates and 
assumptions with respect to the revenue growth rates, the royalty rate, and the discount rate.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of the 
trademark intangible asset acquired is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment and estimation by 
management when developing the fair value measurement of the trademark intangible asset acquired. This in turn 
led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and in evaluating audit 
evidence relating to management’s significant assumptions and estimates, including revenue growth rates, the 
royalty rate, and the discount rate. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized 
skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with 
forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the 
effectiveness of controls relating to acquisition accounting, including controls over management’s valuation of 
the trademark intangible asset acquired and controls over development of the assumptions and estimates, 
including the revenue growth rates, the royalty rate, and the discount rate. These procedures also included, 
among others, reading the purchase agreement and testing management’s process for estimating the fair value of 
the trademark intangible asset acquired. This included evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation method 
and the reasonableness of significant assumptions used by management, including the revenue growth rates, the 
royalty rate, and the discount rate for the trademark intangible asset acquired. 

66

Evaluating the reasonableness of the revenue growth rates and the royalty rate involved evaluating whether the 
assumptions and estimates used by management were reasonable considering the past performance of the 
acquired business, market transactions for similar brands and products, and consistency with economic and 
industry forecasts. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist us in evaluating the 
appropriateness of the valuation method and the reasonableness of certain significant assumptions and estimates, 
including the royalty rate and the discount rate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
February 21, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

67

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the years ended December 31,

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Other (income) expense, net

Operating profit

Non-service related postretirement costs

Interest (income) expense, net

Income before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income including noncontrolling interests

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company

Earnings per common share, basic

Earnings per common share, diluted

$

$

$

2019

2018

2017

$

15,693

$

15,544

$

15,454

6,368

9,325

5,575

196

3,554

108

145

3,301

774

2,527

160

2,367

2.76

2.75

$

$

$

6,313

9,231

5,389

148

3,694

87

143

3,464

906

2,558

158

2,400

2.76

2.75

$

$

$

6,174

9,280

5,400

173

3,707

118

102

3,487

1,313

2,174

150

2,024

2.30

2.28

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

68

 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31,

 (Dollars in Millions)

Net income including noncontrolling interests

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

     Cumulative translation adjustments

     Retirement plan and other retiree benefit adjustments

     Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Total Comprehensive income including noncontrolling interests

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Less: Cumulative translation adjustments attributable to
noncontrolling interests

Total Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

Total Comprehensive income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive
Company

2019

2018

2017

$

2,527

$

2,558

$

2,174

25
(100)
(12)
(87)
2,440

160

(2)
158

(237)
38

10
(189)
2,369

158

(19)
139

302

54
(14)
342

2,516

150

17

167

$

2,282

$

2,230

$

2,349

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

69

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31,

 (Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables (net of allowances of $76 and $82, respectively)

Inventories

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Goodwill

Other intangible assets, net

Deferred income taxes

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current Liabilities

Notes and loans payable

Current portion of long-term debt

Accounts payable

Accrued income taxes

Other accruals

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Deferred income taxes

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingent liabilities

Shareholders’ Equity

Common stock, $1 par value (2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 1,465,706,360 shares issued)

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Unearned compensation

Treasury stock, at cost

Total Colgate-Palmolive Company shareholders’ equity

Noncontrolling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

70

2019

2018

$

883

$

1,440

1,400

456

4,179

3,750

3,508

2,667

177

753

726

1,400

1,250

417

3,793

3,881

2,530

1,637

152

168

$

$

15,034

$

12,161

$

260

254

1,237

370

1,917

4,038

7,333

507

2,598
14,476
—

1,466

2,488

22,501

(4,273)

(2)

(22,063)

117

441

558

12

—

1,222

411

1,696

3,341

6,354

235

2,034
11,964
—

1,466

2,204

21,615

(4,188)

(3)

(21,196)

(102)

299

197

$

15,034

$

12,161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Dollars in Millions)

Colgate-Palmolive Company Shareholders’ Equity

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Unearned
Compensation

Treasury
Stock

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Noncontrolling
Interests

Balance, January 1, 2017

$

1,466

$

1,691

$

(7) $ (19,135) $

19,922

$

(4,180)

$

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net
of tax

Dividends ($1.59)/per share*

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock awards

Treasury stock acquired

Other

2,024

(1,405)

325

127

197

(34)

3

313

34

(1,399)

2

6

(10)

Balance, December 31, 2017

$

1,466

$

1,984

$

(5) $ (20,181) $

20,531

$

(3,855)

$

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net
of tax

Dividends ($1.66)/per share*

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock awards

Treasury stock acquired

Other

2,400

(1,448)

(170)

109

137

(31)

5

190

31

(1,238)

2

2

132

(163) (1)

Balance, December 31, 2018

$

1,466

$

2,204

$

(3) $ (21,196) $

21,615

$

(4,188)

$

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net
of tax

Dividends ($1.71)/per share*

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock awards

Noncontrolling interests assumed
through acquisition

Treasury stock acquired

Other

(85)

2,367

(1,472)

(9)

305

29

(1,202)

1

100

210

(29)

3

1

260

150

17

(124)

303

158

(19)

(143)

299

160

(2)

(141)

125

Balance, December 31, 2019

$

1,466

$

2,488

$

(2) $ (22,063) $

22,501

$

(4,273)

$

441

(1) As a result of the early adoption of ASU 2018-02, the Company reclassified the stranded tax effects in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 

resulting from the TCJA to Retained earnings. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

* Two dividends were declared in each of the first quarters of 2019, 2018 and 2017

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

For the years ended December 31,

(Dollars in Millions)

Operating Activities

Net income including noncontrolling interests

$

2,527

$

2,558

$

2,174

2019

2018

2017

Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash

provided by operations:

Depreciation and amortization

Restructuring and termination benefits, net of cash

Stock-based compensation expense

Charge for U.S. tax reform

Deferred income taxes

Voluntary benefit plan contributions

Cash effects of changes in:

Receivables

Inventories

Accounts payable and other accruals

Other non-current assets and liabilities

Net cash provided by operations

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures

Sale of property and non-core product lines

Purchases of marketable securities and investments

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investments

Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Other

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing Activities

Principal payments on debt

Proceeds from issuance of debt

Dividends paid

Purchases of treasury shares

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents

Net (decrease) increase in Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes paid

Interest paid

519

18

100

—

17

(113)

19

(77)

36

87

511

(7)

109

80

27

(67)

(79)

(58)

18

(36)

475

91

127

275

108

(81)

(15)

(8)

(96)

4

3,133

3,056

3,054

(335)

1

(184)

131

(1,711)

(1)

(2,099)

(6,611)

8,059

(1,614)

(1,202)

498

(870)

(7)

157

726

883

803

185

$

$

$

(436)

1

(169)

156

(728)

6

(1,170)

(7,355)

7,176

(1,591)

(1,238)

329

(2,679)

(16)

(809)

1,535

726

847

194

$

$

$

(553)

44

(347)

391

—

(6)

(471)

(4,808)

4,779

(1,529)

(1,399)

507

(2,450)

87

220

1,315

1,535

1,037

150

$

$

$

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

1. 

Nature of Operations 

The Company manufactures and markets a wide variety of products in the U.S. and around the world in two product 
segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Oral, Personal and Home Care products include toothpaste, 
toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, 
skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners and other similar items. These 
products are sold primarily to a variety of traditional and eCommerce retailers, wholesalers and distributors worldwide. Pet 
Nutrition products include specialty pet nutrition products manufactured and marketed by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The 
principal customers for Pet Nutrition products are authorized pet supply retailers, veterinarians and eCommerce retailers. 
Principal global and regional trademarks include Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Sorriso, Hello, 
Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, Elta MD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, 
Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet.

The Company’s principal classes of products accounted for the following percentages of worldwide Net sales for the 

past three years:

Oral Care
Personal Care
Home Care
Pet Nutrition

Total

2019

2018

2017

46%
20%
18%
16%
100%

47%
20%
18%
15%
100%

48%
19%
18%
15%
100%

73

  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

2. 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Colgate-Palmolive Company and its majority-owned or 

controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company’s investments in 
consumer products companies with interests ranging between 20% and 50%, where the Company has significant influence 
over the investee, are accounted for using the equity method. Net income (loss) from such investments is recorded in Other 
(income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, equity method 
investments included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $50 and $46, respectively. Unrelated third 
parties hold the remaining ownership interests in these investments. Investments with less than a 20% interest are recorded 
at cost and periodically adjusted based on observable price changes or quoted market prices in active markets, if applicable. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America requires management to use judgment and make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities and disclosure of contingent gains and losses at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The level of uncertainty in estimates and assumptions increases with 
the length of time until the underlying transactions are completed. As such, the most significant uncertainty in the 
Company’s assumptions and estimates involved in preparing the financial statements includes pension and other retiree 
benefit cost assumptions, stock-based compensation, asset impairments, uncertain tax positions, tax valuation allowances, 
legal and other contingency reserves and charges related to U.S. tax reform (see Note 11, Income Taxes). Additionally, the 
Company uses available market information and other valuation methodologies in assessing the fair value of financial 
instruments and retirement plan assets. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair 
value and, accordingly, changes in assumptions or the estimation methodologies may affect the fair value estimates. Actual 
results could ultimately differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue contracts represent a single performance obligation to sell its products to trade customers. 

Sales are recorded at the time control of the products is transferred to trade customers, in an amount that reflects the 
consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products. Control is the ability of trade customers 
to direct the “use of” and “obtain” the benefit from our products. In evaluating the timing of the transfer of control of 
products to trade customers, the Company considers several control indicators, including significant risks and rewards of 
products, the Company’s right to payment and the legal title of the products. Based on the assessment of control indicators, 
sales are generally recognized when products are delivered to trade customers. 

Net sales reflect the transaction prices for contracts, which include units shipped at selling list prices reduced by 
variable consideration. Variable consideration includes expected sales returns and the cost of current and continuing 
promotional programs. Current promotional programs primarily include product listing allowances and co-operative 
advertising arrangements. Continuing promotional programs are predominantly consumer coupons and volume-based sales 
incentive arrangements. The cost of promotional programs is estimated using the expected value method considering all 
reasonably available information, including the Company’s historical experience and its current expectations, and is 
reflected in the transaction price when sales are recorded. Adjustments to the cost of promotional programs in subsequent 
periods are generally not material, as the Company’s promotional programs are typically of short duration, thereby 
reducing the uncertainty inherent in such estimates. 

Sales returns are generally accepted at the Company’s discretion and are not material to the Company’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements. The Company’s contracts with trade customers do not have significant financing components or non-
cash consideration and the Company does not have unbilled revenue or significant amounts of prepayments from 
customers. The Company records Net sales excluding taxes collected on its sales to its trade customers. Shipping and 
handling activities are accounted for as contract fulfillment costs and classified as Selling, general and administrative 
expenses.

74

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are classified as Selling, general and administrative expenses and were $1,275, $1,255 

and $1,183 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Marketing Costs

The Company markets its products through advertising and other promotional activities. Advertising costs are included 

in Selling, general and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Certain consumer and trade promotional 
programs, such as consumer coupons, are recorded as a reduction of sales.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of 

purchase to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

The cost of approximately 80% of inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, which is 

stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of all other inventories, in the U.S. and Mexico, is determined 
using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method, which is stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventories in excess of one year 
of forecasted sales are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as non-current "Other assets."

Property, Plant and Equipment

Land, buildings and machinery and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided, primarily using the straight-

line method, over-estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment and up to 40 years for 
buildings. Depreciation attributable to manufacturing operations is included in Cost of sales. The remaining component of 
depreciation is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets, such as the Company’s global brands, are subject to impairment tests at 

least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. These tests were 
performed and did not result in an impairment charge. Other intangible assets with finite lives, such as local brands and 
trademarks, customer relationships and non-compete agreements, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally 
ranging from 5 to 40 years. Amortization expense related to intangible assets is included in Other (income) expense, net, 
which is included in Operating profit.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax 
assets and liabilities are recognized based upon the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and 
liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect at the time such differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax 
assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some 
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. 

The Company uses a comprehensive model to recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements 
uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take on an income tax return. The Company recognizes 
interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within Provision for income taxes.

75

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Financial Instruments

Derivative instruments are recorded as assets and liabilities at estimated fair value based on available market 
information. The Company’s derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are designated as either fair value 
hedges, cash flow hedges or net investment hedges. For fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative, as 
well as the offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item, are recognized in earnings each period. For cash flow 
hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) and are recognized in 
earnings when the offsetting effect of the hedged item is also recognized in earnings. For hedges of the net investment in 
foreign subsidiaries, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) to offset 
the change in the value of the net investment being hedged. Cash flows related to hedges are classified in the same category 
as the cash flows from the hedged item in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company may also enter into certain foreign currency and interest rate instruments that economically hedge 
certain of its risks but do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in fair value of these derivative instruments, based on 
quoted market prices, are recognized in earnings each period. The Company’s derivative instruments and other financial 
instruments are more fully described in Note 7, Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments along with the related 
fair value measurement considerations.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as 

stock options and restricted stock units (both performance-based and time-vested), based on the fair value of those awards 
at the date of grant over the requisite service period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) 
option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. In addition to performance conditions, performance-
based restricted stock units also include a total shareholder return modifier. Because the total shareholder return modifier is 
considered a market condition, the Company uses a Monte-Carlo simulation model to determine the fair value of 
performance-based restricted stock units. The fair value of time-vested restricted stock units is determined based on the 
closing market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. Stock-based compensation plans, related expenses and 
assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are more fully described in Note 8, Capital Stock and Stock-
Based Compensation Plans.

Currency Translation

The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, other than those operating in highly inflationary environments, are 
translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates with resulting translation gains and losses accumulated in a separate 
component of shareholders’ equity. Income and expense items are translated into U.S. dollars at average rates of exchange 
prevailing during the year.

For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary environments, local currency-denominated non-monetary assets, 
including inventories, goodwill and property, plant and equipment, are remeasured at their historical exchange rates, while 
local currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at year-end exchange rates. Remeasurement 
adjustments for these operations are included in Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 
(“ASU”) No. 2020-01, “Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 
323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)-Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.” 
The guidance provides clarification of the interaction of rules for equity securities, the equity method of accounting and 
forward contracts and purchase options on certain types of securities. This new guidance is effective for the Company 
beginning on January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is currently assessing the impact of the 
new guidance, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

76

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for 

Income Taxes.” This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general 
principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This new 
guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is 
currently assessing the impact of the new guidance, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial 

Instruments- Credit Losses.” This ASU clarifies and addresses certain items related to amendments in ASU 2016-13. This 
new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020. This new guidance is not expected to have a 
material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-07, “Codification Updates to SEC Sections - Amendments to SEC 
Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 
and 33-10442, Investment Company Reporting Modernization and Miscellaneous Updates.” ASU 2019-07 clarified or 
improved the disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of codification topics by aligning them with the SEC’s 
regulations, thereby eliminating redundancies and making the codification easier to apply. This ASU was effective upon 
issuance and did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments-Credit 

Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Financial Instruments (Topic 825).” This ASU clarifies 
three topics related to financial instruments accounting. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on 
January 1, 2020. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured 

Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge 
Accounting Purposes.” The new guidance permits the use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest 
rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective 
basis beginning on January 1, 2019, concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2017-12, and did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Topic 

350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service 
Contract.” This new guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting 
arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or 
obtain internal-use software. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective or retrospective basis 
beginning on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance early, beginning 
on January 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-

General (Topic 715): Disclosure Framework–Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This 
new guidance removes certain disclosures that are not considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain required disclosures and 
requires certain additional disclosures. This new guidance was effective for the Company on a retrospective basis 
beginning on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt this guidance early, beginning 
on January 1, 2019, on a retrospective basis. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

77

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - 

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This new guidance removes certain disclosure 
requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, modifies existing disclosure requirements related to measurement 
uncertainty and adds new disclosure requirements. The new disclosure requirements include disclosing the changes in 
unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value 
measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable 
inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning on 
January 1, 2020. Certain disclosure requirements in the new guidance will need to be applied on a retrospective basis and 
others on a prospective basis.  This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 
220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which 
permits the reclassification of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or “U.S. tax 
reform”) from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to Retained earnings. This new guidance was effective for 
the Company beginning on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and must be applied either in the period of 
adoption or retrospectively to periods in which the effects of the TCJA are recognized. The Company elected to adopt this 
new guidance early, beginning on January 1, 2018, and reclassified $163 during the first quarter of 2018.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements 

to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” amending the eligibility criteria for hedged items and transactions to expand an 
entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to 
separately measure and present hedge ineffectiveness and aligns the presentation of hedge gains and losses with the 
underlying hedge item. The new guidance also simplifies the hedge documentation and hedge effectiveness assessment 
requirements. The amended presentation and disclosure requirements must be adopted on a prospective basis, while any 
amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption must be applied on a 
“modified retrospective” basis, meaning a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of 
the beginning of the year of adoption. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and did not 
have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of 
Modification Accounting,” clarifying when a change to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award must be 
accounted for as a modification. The new guidance requires modification accounting if the fair value, vesting condition or 
the classification of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the 
award. The new guidance was effective for the Company on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018 and did not 
impact the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, as it is not the Company’s practice to change either the terms or 
the conditions of stock-based payment awards once they are granted.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation–Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the 
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” changing the presentation of the 
net periodic benefit cost on the Statement of Income and limiting the amount of net periodic benefit cost eligible for 
capitalization to assets. The new guidance permits only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be 
eligible for capitalization. The new guidance also requires entities to present the service cost component of net periodic 
benefit cost together with compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The non-
service related components of net periodic benefit cost, which include interest, expected return on assets, amortization of 
prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses, are required to be presented outside of Operating profit.  The line item or 
items used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, if not separately described on the Statement of Income. The new presentation requirement was 
adopted on a “full retrospective” basis, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented in the financial 
statements, while the limitation on capitalization was adopted on a prospective basis. Effective January 1, 2018, as 
required, the Company adopted this standard on a retrospective basis. As permitted by the new guidance, the Company 
used the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as 
the basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. As a result, for all periods presented, only the service 
related component of pension and other postretirement benefit costs is included in Operating profit. 

78

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the 
Test for Goodwill Impairment,” eliminating the requirement to calculate implied fair value, essentially eliminating step two 
from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard requires goodwill impairment to be based upon the results of step one 
of the impairment test, which is defined as the excess of the carrying value of a reporting unit over its fair value. The 
impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard is effective for 
the Company on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2020. This new guidance is expected to have no impact on the 
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition 

of a Business,” which provides additional guidance on evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as 
acquisitions of assets or businesses. The guidance requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the 
assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, 
then the new guidance would define the transaction as an asset acquisition. If the threshold is not met, then the entity 
would, pursuant to the guidance, evaluate whether the assets meet the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, 
an input and substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The guidance was 
effective for the Company, on a prospective basis, beginning on January 1, 2018. This new guidance had no impact on the 
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain 

Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which clarifies how certain cash receipts and payments are to be presented in the 
statement of cash flows. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. This new guidance had no 
impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326).” This ASU 
introduces the current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which will require an entity to measure credit losses for certain 
financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. Under this update, on initial recognition and at each 
reporting period, an entity will be required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit 
losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. This new guidance is effective for the Company 
beginning on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on lease accounting, ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” 

which superseded Topic 840, “Leases.” which was further modified in ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to 
Topic 842, Leases,” ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” and ASU No. 2019-01 “Leases 
(Topic 842) Codification Improvements” to clarify the implementation guidance. The new accounting standard was 
effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019 and required the recognition on the balance sheet of right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities for all long-term leases, including operating leases, on the balance sheet. The Company elected 
the optional transition method and adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019, on a modified retrospective basis, with no 
restatement of prior period amounts. As allowed under the new accounting standard, the Company elected to apply 
practical expedients to carry forward the original lease determinations, lease classifications and accounting of initial direct 
costs for all asset classes at the time of adoption. The Company also elected not to separate lease components from non-
lease components and to exclude short-term leases from its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s adoption of the 
new standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of $458 and liabilities of $574, with no material cumulative 
effect adjustment to equity as of the date of adoption. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, as required, the 
Company reclassified certain restructuring reserves incurred in connection with the Global Growth and Efficiency Program 
and deferred rent liabilities as reductions to lease assets.  Adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income or Cash Flows. See Note 15 Leases for additional information.

79

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board issued their final converged standard on 
revenue recognition. The standard, issued as ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” by 
the FASB, provides a comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes current 
revenue recognition guidance. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the 
measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize 
revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to its customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in 
exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also includes enhanced disclosures. During 2016, the FASB issued 
several accounting updates (ASU No. 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016-12) to clarify implementation guidance and correct 
unintended application of the guidance. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective 
adoption. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018, on a “modified retrospective” basis, which did not 
have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. As required, the Company recognized the 
cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the 2018 opening balance of retained 
earnings. Results for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, “Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers,” while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the 
prior accounting guidance under Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.”

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 

80

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

3. 

Acquisitions

Acquisition of Laboratoires Filorga Cosmétiques ("Filorga")

On September 19, 2019 (the "Acquisition Date"), the Company acquired the Filorga skin health business for cash 

consideration of €1,516 (approximately $1,674), which included interest on the equity purchase price plus additional 
consideration of €32 (approximately $38), the majority of which related to repayment of loans from former shareholders of 
Filorga. Filorga is a premium anti-aging skin health brand focused primarily on facial care. This acquisition is part of the 
Company's strategy to focus on high growth segments within its Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition businesses, 
including by expanding its portfolio in premium skin health. 

The total purchase price consideration of $1,712 million has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on their 

respective estimated fair values as follows:

Cash

Receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Other intangible assets

Goodwill

Other current liabilities

Deferred income taxes

Noncontrolling interests

Fair value of net assets acquired

$

$

30

53

70

18

1,051

923
(67)
(276)
(90)
1,712

Other intangible assets acquired include trademarks of $774, which are considered to have an indefinite useful life, and 

customer relationships of $277, which have an estimated life of 14 years. Goodwill of $923 was allocated to the Europe 
segment. The Company expects that goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

The preliminary estimates of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to 

revisions, which may result in adjustments to the preliminary values discussed above. The Company continues to evaluate 
potential contingencies that may have existed as of the acquisition date and expects to finalize the purchase price allocation 
no later than the third quarter of 2020.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company revised its estimates of the fair value of intangible assets acquired and 

increased other intangible assets by $105 with a corresponding reduction to goodwill.

The results of operations of Filorga are reported on a lag basis. As such, Filorga’s results of operations from the 
Acquisition Date through November 30, 2019 are included in the Company’s Consolidated Results of Operations for the 
period ended December 31, 2019.

Pro forma results of operations have not been presented as the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 

Statements is not material. 

Nigeria Joint Venture

On August 15, 2019, the Company acquired a 51% controlling interest in Colgate Tolaram Pte. Ltd., a joint venture 

which owns the Nigeria-based Hypo Homecare Products Limited, for $31. 

Pro forma results of operations have not been presented as the impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial 

Statements is not material. 

81

  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Physicians Care Alliance, LLC and Elta MD Holdings, Inc.

In January 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Physicians Care Alliance, LLC (“PCA 

Skin”) and Elta MD Holdings, Inc. (“Elta MD”), professional skin health businesses, for aggregate cash consideration of 
approximately $730. With these acquisitions, the Company entered the professional skin health category, which 
complements its existing global personal care businesses and resulted in the recognition of additional goodwill. 

Total purchase price consideration of $730 has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on their respective 

estimated fair values as follows:

Recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

Inventories

Other current assets

Other intangible assets

Goodwill
Other current liabilities

Deferred income taxes

Fair value of net assets acquired

$

$

8

8

369

397
(6)
(46)
730

Other intangible assets acquired primarily include trademarks of $231 with useful lives of 25 years and customer 

relationships of $133 with useful lives ranging from 12 to 13 years.

Goodwill of $397 was allocated to the North America segment. The Company expects that approximately 45% of the 

goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

Pro forma results of operations have not been presented as the impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial 

Statements is not material. 

Hello Products LLC

On January 31, 2020, the Company acquired Hello Products LLC, an oral care business, for cash consideration of 
$351. The acquisition was financed with a combination of debt and cash. This acquisition is part of the Company's strategy 
to focus on high growth segments within its Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition businesses.

82

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 4. 

Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges 

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company commenced a restructuring program (the “Global Growth and Efficiency 
Program”), which was expanded in 2014, expanded and extended in each of 2015 and 2017, and expanded again in 2019 to 
take advantage of additional savings opportunities near the end of the program. The program concluded on December 31, 
2019.

Initiatives under the Global Growth and Efficiency Program fit within the program’s three focus areas of expanding 
commercial hubs, extending shared business services and streamlining global functions and optimizing the global supply 
chain and facilities. 

At the conclusion of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, total pretax charges were $1,854 ($1,380 aftertax). 

The Company incurred pretax charges for 2019 of $132 ($102 aftertax).

Total pretax charges resulting from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program were comprised of the following 
categories: Employee-Related Costs, including severance, pension and other termination benefits (40%); asset-related 
costs, primarily Incremental Depreciation and Asset Impairments (10%); and Other charges, which include contract 
termination costs, consisting primarily of related implementation charges resulting directly from exit activities (30%) and 
the implementation of new strategies (20%). Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, approximately 
80% of the charges resulted in cash expenditures. 

Total pretax charges related to initiatives undertaken in North America (15%), Europe (20%), Latin America (5%), 
Asia Pacific (5%), Africa/Eurasia (5%), Hill’s Pet Nutrition (10%) and Corporate (40%) included substantially all of the 
costs related to the implementation of new strategies, noted above, on a global basis. The Global Growth and Efficiency 
Program contributed a net reduction of approximately 4,400 positions from the Company’s global employee workforce. 

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, restructuring and related implementation charges are 

reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:  

Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other (income) expense, net
Non-service related postretirement costs
Total Global Growth and Efficiency Program charges, pretax

Total Global Growth and Efficiency Program charges, aftertax

2019

2018

2017

$

$

$

8
60
57
7
132

102

$

$

$

31
33
88
9
161

125

$

$

$

75
86
152
20
333

246

Restructuring and related implementation charges in the preceding table are recorded in the Corporate segment as 
these initiatives are predominantly centrally directed and controlled and are not included in internal measures of segment 
operating performance.  

83

 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Total charges incurred for the Global Growth and Efficiency Program related to initiatives undertaken by the following 

reportable operating segments:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific
Africa/Eurasia
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Corporate

Total

2019

2018

2017

Total Program
Charges

4 %

12 %

4 %

6 %
(1)%
2 %

73 %

100 %

18 %

10 %

(2)%

13 %
5 %
19 %

37 %

100 %

23%

2%

21%

5%
3%
6%

40%

100%

17%

5%

19%

4%
5%
8%

42%

100%

Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, the Company incurred total pretax charges of $1,854 

($1,380 aftertax) in connection with the implementation of various projects as follows: 

Employee-Related Costs

Incremental Depreciation

Asset Impairments

Other

Total

Total Program Charges
as of December 31, 2019

$

$

706

128

58

962

1,854

Over the course of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, the majority of the costs incurred related to the 
following projects: the implementation of the Company’s overall hubbing strategy; the consolidation of facilities; the 
extension of shared business services and streamlining of global functions; the closing of the Morristown, New Jersey 
personal care facility; the simplification and streamlining of the Company’s research and development capabilities and oral 
care supply chain, both in Europe; redesigning the European commercial organization; restructuring how the Company will 
provide future retirement benefits to substantially all of the U.S.-based employees participating in the Company’s defined 
benefit retirement plan by shifting them to the Company’s defined contribution plan; and the implementation of a 
Corporate efficiencies program. 

84

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The following table summarizes the activity for the restructuring and related implementation charges, in the 

respective periods, discussed above and the related accruals:

Balance at January 1, 2017

$

56

$

— $

— $

Employee-Related
Costs 

Incremental
Depreciation

Asset
Impairments 

Other 
125

$

Charges

Cash payments

Charges against assets

Foreign exchange

Other

163

(74)

(21)

3

—

10

—
(10)
—

—

9

—
(9)
—

—

151
(170)
—

1

—

Balance at December 31, 2017

$

127

$

— $

— $

107

$

Charges

Cash payments

Charges against assets

Foreign exchange

Other

Balance at December 31, 2018

$

Charges

Cash payments

Charges against assets

Foreign exchange

Other

Balance at December 31, 2019

$

53

(107)

(9)

(4)

—

60

25

(55)

(7)

3

—

26

$

$

2

—
(2)
—

—

16

—
(16)
—

—

90
(60)
—

—

5

— $

— $

142

$

36

—
(36)
—

—

6

—
(6)
—

—

— $

— $

65
(58)
(27)
—
(48)
74

$

Total 

181

333
(244)
(40)
4

—

234

161
(167)
(27)
(4)
5

202

132
(113)
(76)
3
(48)
100

Employee-Related Costs primarily included severance and other termination benefits and were calculated based on 
long-standing benefit practices, local statutory requirements and, in certain cases, voluntary termination arrangements. 
Employee-Related Costs also included pension and other retiree benefit enhancements amounting to $7, $9 and $21 for the 
years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are reflected as Charges against assets within 
Employee-Related Costs in the preceding table as the corresponding balance sheet amounts are reflected as a reduction of 
pension assets or an increase in pension and other retiree benefit liabilities.  See Note 10, Retirement Plans and Other 
Retiree Benefits for additional information. 

Incremental Depreciation was recorded to reflect changes in useful lives and estimated residual values for long-lived 
assets that will be taken out of service prior to the end of their normal service period. Asset Impairments were recorded to 
write down inventories and assets held for sale or disposal to their fair value based on amounts expected to be realized. 
Charges against assets within Asset Impairments are net of cash proceeds pertaining to the sale of certain assets.

Other charges consisted primarily of charges resulting directly from exit activities and the implementation of new 
strategies as a result of the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. These charges for the years ended December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017 included third-party incremental costs related to the development and implementation of new business and 
strategic initiatives of $32, $42 and $145, respectively, and contract termination costs and charges resulting directly from 
exit activities of $5, $48 and $6, respectively. These charges were expensed as incurred. Also included in Other charges for 
the year ended December 31, 2019 were other exit costs of $28 related to the consolidation of facilities. 

Other decreases to the restructuring accruals reflect the reclassification of restructuring accruals to lease assets as a 
result of the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2018-10, "Codification Improvement to Topic 842, Leases," on January 1, 
2019.  See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 Leases for additional information.

85

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

5. 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The net carrying value of Goodwill as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 by segment was as follows:

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America
Latin America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care
Pet Nutrition
Total Goodwill

2019

2018

$

$

737
212
2,234
186
124
3,493
15
3,508

$

$

733
220
1,302
185
75
2,515
15
2,530

The change in the amount of Goodwill during 2019 is primarily due to the acquisition of Filorga (see Note 3, 

Acquisitions for further information) and the impact of foreign currency translation. 

Other intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were comprised of the following:

2019

2018

Trademarks - finite life
Other finite life intangible assets
Indefinite life intangible assets
Total Other intangible assets

Gross
Carrying
Amount

$

$

771
699
1,747
3,217

$

Accumulated
Amortization
$

Gross
Carrying
Amount

771
390
967
2,128

Net

390
530
1,747
2,667

$

$

$

Accumulated
Amortization
$

Net

413
257
967
1,637

(358) $
(133)
—
(491) $

(381) $
(169)
—
(550) $

The change in the net carrying amounts of Other intangible assets during 2019 was primarily due to the acquisition of 
Filorga (see Note 3, Acquisitions for further information) and amortization expense of $62. Annual estimated amortization 
expense for each of the next five years is expected to be approximately $75. 

86

  
 
 
  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

6. 

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:

Notes
Commercial paper
Finance Lease Obligations

Less: Current portion of long-term debt
Total

Weighted
Average
Interest Rate

2.2%
(0.4)%

Various

Maturities
2021 - 2078
2020
Various

2019
$ 6,988
579
20
7,587
(254)
  $ 7,333

2018
$ 5,820
534
—
6,354
—
$ 6,354

The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings included in Notes and loans payable in the Consolidated 

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 1.8% and 5.3%, respectively. 

The Company classifies commercial paper and notes maturing within the next twelve months as long-term debt when 

it has the intent and ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis. Excluding such obligations, scheduled 
maturities of long-term debt and finance leases outstanding as of December 31, 2019, were as follows:  

Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter

$

267
860
903
895
498
3,595

The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements and foreign exchange contracts related to certain of these 

debt instruments.  See Note 7, Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments for further information about the 
Company’s financial instruments.

The Company’s debt issuances support its capital structure strategy objectives of funding its business and growth 
initiatives while minimizing its risk-adjusted cost of capital. During the first quarter of 2019, the Company issued €500 of 
seven-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.500% and €500 of fifteen-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 1.375%. During 
the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company issued €500 of two-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.000% and €500 of 
twenty-year notes at a fixed coupon rate of 0.875%. The debt issuances were under the Company’s shelf registration 
statement.  Proceeds from the debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes, which included the retirement of 
commercial paper and, in the case of the debt issuances in the first quarter of 2019, the repayment of the Company’s $500 
1.75% fixed rate notes, which became due in March 2019, and €500 floating rate notes, which became due May 2019.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had access to unused domestic and foreign lines of credit of $4,594 (including 

under the facilities discussed below) and could also issue medium-term notes pursuant to an effective shelf registration 
statement.  In November 2018, the Company entered into an amended and restated $2,650 revolving credit facility with a 
syndicate of banks that was scheduled to expire in November 2023.  In August 2019, the term of the facility was extended 
by one year and it now expires in November 2024. In August 2019, the Company entered into a $1,500 364-day credit 
facility with a syndicate of banks that is scheduled to expire in August 2020. Commitment fees related to the credit 
facilities are not material.

87

  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Certain agreements with respect to the Company’s bank borrowings contain financial and other covenants as well as 

cross-default provisions. Noncompliance with these requirements could ultimately result in the acceleration of amounts 
owed.  The Company is in full compliance with all such requirements and believes the likelihood of noncompliance is 
remote.

88

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

7. 

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments 

The Company uses available market information and other valuation methodologies in assessing the fair value of 

financial instruments. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value and, 
accordingly, changes in assumptions or the estimation methodologies may affect the fair value estimates. The Company is 
exposed to the risk of credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instrument contracts; 
however, nonperformance is considered unlikely and any nonperformance is unlikely to be material, as it is the Company’s 
policy to contract only with diverse, credit-worthy counterparties based upon both strong credit ratings and other credit 
considerations.

The Company is exposed to market risk from foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity price 

fluctuations. Volatility relating to these exposures is managed on a global basis by utilizing a number of techniques, 
including working capital management, sourcing strategies, selling price increases, selective borrowings in local currencies 
and entering into selective derivative instrument transactions, issued with standard features, in accordance with the 
Company’s treasury and risk management policies, which prohibit the use of derivatives for speculative purposes and 
leveraged derivatives for any purpose. It is the Company’s policy to enter into derivative instrument contracts with terms 
that match the underlying exposure being hedged. Provided below are details of the Company’s exposures by type of risk 
and derivative instruments by type of hedge designation.

Valuation Considerations

The Company’s derivative instruments include interest rate swap contracts, foreign currency contracts and commodity 
contracts. The Company utilizes interest rate swap contracts to manage its targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt, and 
these swaps are classified as follows:

Level 1: Based upon quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Based upon observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Based upon unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Foreign Exchange Risk

As the Company markets its products in over 200 countries and territories, it is exposed to currency fluctuations 
related to manufacturing and selling its products in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages its foreign 
currency exposures through a combination of cost containment measures, sourcing strategies, selling price increases and 
the hedging of certain costs in an effort to minimize the impact on earnings of foreign currency rate movements.   

The Company primarily utilizes foreign currency contracts, including forward and swap contracts, option contracts, 

foreign and local currency deposits and local currency borrowings to hedge portions of its foreign currency purchases, 
assets and liabilities arising in the normal course of business and the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. The 
duration of foreign currency contracts generally does not exceed 12 months and the contracts are valued using observable 
market rates (Level 2 valuation).

Interest Rate Risk

The Company manages its targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt with debt issuances and by entering into interest 

rate swaps in order to mitigate fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may result from interest rate volatility. The 
notional amount, interest payment and maturity date of the swaps generally match the principal, interest payment and 
maturity date of the related debt, and the swaps are valued using observable benchmark rates (Level 2 valuation).

89

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Commodity Price Risk

The Company is exposed to price volatility related to raw materials used in production, such as resins, essential oils, 

pulp, tropical oils, tallow, poultry, corn and soybeans. The Company manages its raw material exposures through a 
combination of cost containment measures, sourcing strategies, ongoing productivity initiatives and the limited use of 
commodity hedging contracts. Futures contracts are used on a limited basis, primarily in the Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment, 
to manage volatility related to raw material inventory purchases of certain traded commodities, and these contracts are 
measured using quoted commodity exchange prices (Level 1 valuation). The duration of the commodity contracts generally 
does not exceed 12 months.

Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to the risk of credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial 
instrument contracts; however, nonperformance is considered unlikely and any nonperformance is unlikely to be material 
as it is the Company’s policy to contract with diverse, credit-worthy counterparties based upon both strong credit ratings 
and other credit considerations. 

The company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to 

Accounting for Hedging Activities," beginning on January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting 
Policies.

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and other financial instruments 
which are carried at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 
2018:

Assets

Liabilities

Account

Fair Value

Account

Fair Value

Designated derivative

instruments

December
31, 2019

December
31, 2018

December
31, 2019

December
31, 2018

$

— $

— Other accruals

$

— $

— Other liabilities

20 Other accruals

— Other liabilities

— Other accruals

$

20

$

—

15

14

—

29

$

1

8

8

21

—

38

Interest rate swap contracts

Other current
assets

Interest rate swap contracts Other assets
Foreign currency contracts Other current

assets

Foreign currency contracts Other assets
Other current
assets

Commodity contracts

Total designated

$

Other financial
instruments

Marketable securities

Total other financial

instruments

Other current
assets

4

6

—

—

10

23

10

10

$

23

$

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and short-term debt approximated fair value as of 
December 31, 2019 and 2018. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion, as 
of December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $8,056 and $6,434, respectively, and the related carrying value was $7,587 and 
$6,354, respectively. The estimated fair value of long-term debt was derived principally from quoted prices on the 
Company’s outstanding fixed-term notes (Level 2 valuation).

The following amounts were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to cumulative basis adjustment for fair 
value hedges as of:

Long-term debt:

Carrying amount of hedged item

Cumulative hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount

The following tables present the notional values as of:

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

$

$

403

4

$

$

888
(10)

Fair Value Hedges

Cash Flow Hedges

Net Investment Hedges

Fair Value Hedges

Cash Flow Hedges

Net Investment Hedges

December 31, 2019

Foreign
Currency
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Debt

Interest
Rate
Swaps

Commodity
Contracts

Total

$

$

$

388

761

478

$

$

$

— $

400

$

— $

— $

— $

20

$

788

781

3,856

$

— $

— $

4,334

December 31, 2018

Foreign
Currency
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Debt

Interest
Rate
Swaps

Commodity
Contracts

Total

$

$

$

327

782

482

$

$

$

— $

900

$

— $

1,227

— $

— $

14

$

796

1,396

$

— $

— $

1,878

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The following table presents the location and amount of gains (losses) recognized on the Company’s Consolidated 
Statements of Income:

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2019

2018

Selling, general 
and 
administrative 
expenses

Interest 
(income) 
expense, 
net

Cost of 
sales 

Selling, general 
and 
administrative 
expenses

Interest 
(income) 
expense, 
net

Cost of 
sales

Gain (loss) on hedges
recognized in income:

Interest rate swaps
designated as fair value
hedges:

Derivative instrument
Hedged items

Foreign currency
contracts designated as
fair value hedges:

Derivative instrument

Hedged items

Foreign currency
contracts designated as
cash flow hedges:

Amount reclassified
from OCI

Commodity contracts
designated as cash flow
hedges:

Amount reclassified
from OCI

Total gain (loss) on hedges
recognized in income

$

—

—

—

5

1

6

$

— $

— $

(11)

$

— $

— $

—

(2)

2

—

10

(10)

—

—

11

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(4)

1

(1)

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

$

— $

— $

(3)

$

— $

92

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The following table presents the location and amount of unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI:

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

2019

2018

Foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges:

Gain (loss) recognized in OCI
Commodity contracts designated as cash flow hedges:

Gain (loss) recognized in OCI
Foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges:

Gain (loss) on instruments

Gain (loss) on hedged items
Foreign currency debt designated as net investment hedges:

Gain (loss) on instruments
Gain (loss) on hedged items

(9)

—

4
(4)

12
(12)

Total unrealized gain (loss) on hedges recognized in OCI

$

(9)

$

10

—

33
(33)

93
(93)

10

93

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

8. 

Capital Stock and Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Preference Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 50,262,150 shares of preference stock. 

Stock Repurchases

On June 18, 2018, the Board authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate 

purchase price of up to $5 billion under a new share repurchase program (the “2018 Program”), which replaced a 
previously authorized share repurchase program (the “2015 Program”). The Company commenced repurchases of shares of 
the Company’s common stock under the 2018 Program beginning June 19, 2018. The Board also has authorized share 
repurchases on an ongoing basis to fulfill certain requirements of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs. The 
shares are repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, 
subject to market conditions, customary blackout periods and other factors. The Company repurchased its common stock at 
a cost of $1,202 during 2019 under the 2018 Program.

The Company may use either authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares to meet share requirements resulting 

from the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock unit awards.

A summary of common stock and treasury stock activity for the three years ended December 31 is as follows:

Common
Stock
Outstanding
883,108,963

Treasury
Stock

582,597,397

(19,185,828)
9,670,988

1,106,995

874,701,118

19,185,828
(9,670,988)
(1,106,995)
591,005,242

(18,786,897)
6,040,920

957,651

862,912,792

18,786,897
(6,040,920)
(957,651)
602,793,568

(17,219,642)
8,145,777

862,852

854,701,779

17,219,642
(8,145,777)
(862,852)
611,004,581

Balance, January 1, 2017

Common stock acquired

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock units and other

Balance, December 31, 2017

Common stock acquired

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock units and other

Balance, December 31, 2018

Common stock acquired

Shares issued for stock options

Shares issued for restricted stock units and other

Balance, December 31, 2019

94

  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as 

stock options and restricted stock units, based on the fair value of those awards at the date of grant. The fair value of 
restricted stock units, generally based on market prices, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service 
period. The estimated fair value of stock options on the date of grant is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite 
service period for each separately vesting portion of the award. Awards to employees eligible for retirement prior to the 
award becoming fully vested are recognized as compensation cost from the grant date through the date that the employee 
first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service to earn the award.

The Company has one incentive compensation plan pursuant to which it issues restricted stock units (both 

performance-based and time-vested) and stock options to employees and shares of common stock and stock options to non-
employee directors. The Personnel and Organization Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised entirely of 
independent directors, administers the incentive compensation plan. The total stock-based compensation expense charged 
against pretax income for this plan was $100, $109 and $127 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized on stock-based compensation, excluding excess tax benefits discussed 
below, was approximately $20, $25 and $42 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Stock-based compensation expense is recorded within Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Corporate 

segment as these amounts are not included in internal measures of segment operating performance.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. The 
weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 
$10.48, $9.48 and $8.37, respectively. Fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
assumptions summarized in the following table:

Expected term of options
Expected volatility rate
Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield

2019

6 years
19.2%
1.5%
2.3%

2018
4.5 years
17.7%
2.8%
2.5%

2017
4.5 years
16.0%
1.8%
2.2%

The weighted-average expected term of options granted each year was determined with reference to historical exercise 

and post-vesting cancellation experience, the vesting period of the awards and the contractual term of the awards, among 
other factors. Expected volatility incorporates implied share-price volatility derived from exchange traded options on the 
Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the yield of a zero-
coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a maturity period equal to the option’s expected term.

95

  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Performance-based Restricted Stock Units

In 2019, the Company evolved its approach to granting long-term incentive compensation, mainly from granting time-
vested restricted stock units following the conclusion of a three-year performance cycle to granting officers and other key 
employees a target number of unearned performance-based restricted stock units at the beginning of each three-year 
performance cycle. Awards are earned and vest following the conclusion of the performance period on the basis of 
achievement of performance goals established at the commencement of each three-year performance period.

A summary of performance-based restricted stock unit activity during 2019 is presented below:

Performance-based restricted stock units as of January 1, 2019
Activity:
Granted
Forfeited

Performance-based restricted stock units as of December 31, 2019

Shares
(in thousands)

Grant Date Fair Value
Per Award

— $

365
(19)
346

$

—

67
67
67

As of December 31, 2019, there was $17 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested 

performance-based restricted stock unit awards, which will be recognized rateably over the remaining performance period.

The Company uses a Monte-Carlo simulation model to estimate the fair value of performance-based restricted stock 

units at the date of grant.

Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units

The Company also grants time-vested restricted stock unit awards. As described above, under the Company’s previous 

long-term incentive program, time-vested restricted stock unit awards were also granted to officers and other key 
employees following a three-year performance period. Awards vest at the end of the restriction period, which is three years 
from the date of grant. The last award granted under the previous long-term incentive program was in 2018 for the 
2015-2017 performance period. No awards were granted for the 2016-2018 or 2017-2019 performance periods. Awards for 
the 2018-2020 performance period, if earned, will be granted in 2021. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 13,200,000 
shares of common stock were available for future restricted stock unit awards.

A summary of restricted stock unit activity during 2019 is presented below:

Restricted stock units as of January 1, 2019
Activity:
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Restricted stock units as of December 31, 2019

Shares
(in thousands)
2,474

554
(761)
(64)
2,203

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Per Award

$

$

71

71
70
70
71

As of December 31, 2019, there was $44 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted 

stock unit awards, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. The total fair value of restricted 
stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $53, $55 and $66, respectively.

96

  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Stock Options

The Company issues non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors, officers and other employees. Beginning 

in 2019, stock options generally have a contractual term of eight years. Prior to 2019, stock options generally had a 
contractual term of six years. Stock options vest ratably over three years. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 
37,758,000 shares of common stock were available for future stock option grants. 

A summary of stock option activity during 2019 is presented below:

Options outstanding, January 1, 2019
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or expired
Options outstanding, December 31, 2019
Options exercisable, December 31, 2019

Shares
(in thousands)
39,710
5,364
(8,205)
(684)
36,185
25,142

$

$

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life
(in years)

Intrinsic Value 
of Unexercised 
In-the-Money 
Options

67
72
61
70
69
69

4
3

$
$

63
60

As of December 31, 2019, there was $32 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested options, 
which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 
the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $84, $92 and $201, respectively.

The benefits of tax deductions in excess of grant date fair value resulting from the exercise of stock options and 
vesting of restricted stock unit awards for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $6, $12 and $47, 
respectively, and are recognized in the provision for income taxes as a discrete item in the quarterly period in which they 
occur and classified as an operating cash flow. Cash proceeds received from options exercised for the years ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $498, $329 and $507, respectively.

9. 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

In 1989, the Company expanded its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) through the introduction of a 

leveraged ESOP that funds certain benefits for employees who have met eligibility requirements. As of December 31, 2019 
and 2018, there were 13,359,448 and 15,806,529 shares of common stock, respectively, outstanding and issued to the 
Company’s ESOP. 

During 2000, the ESOP entered into a loan agreement with the Company under which the benefits of the ESOP may be 

extended through 2035. As of December 31, 2019, the ESOP had outstanding borrowings from the Company of $2, which 
represents unearned compensation shown as a reduction in Shareholders’ equity.

Dividends on stock held by the ESOP are paid to the ESOP trust and, together with cash contributions from the 

Company, are (a) used by the ESOP to repay principal and interest, (b) credited to participant accounts or (c) used for 
contributions to the Company’s defined contribution plans. Stock is allocated to participants based upon the ratio of the 
current year’s debt service to the sum of total outstanding principal and interest payments over the life of the debt. As of 
December 31, 2019, 11,651,749 shares of common stock had been released and allocated to participant accounts and 
1,707,699 shares of common stock were available for future allocation to participant accounts. 

97

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Dividends on the stock used to repay principal and interest or credited to participant accounts are deductible for 
income tax purposes and, accordingly, are reflected net of their tax benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in 
Shareholders’ Equity.

Annual expense related to the ESOP was $0 in 2019, 2018 and 2017. 

 The Company paid dividends on the shares held by the ESOP of $25 in 2019, $29 in 2018 and $32 in 2017. The 

Company did not make any contributions to the ESOP in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

10. 

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits

Retirement Plans

The Company and certain of its U.S. and foreign subsidiaries maintain defined benefit retirement plans. Benefits under 

these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ earnings.

In the U.S., effective January 1, 2014, the Company provides virtually all future retirement benefits through the 
Company’s defined contribution plan. As a result, service after December 31, 2013 is not considered for participants in the 
Company’s principal U.S. defined benefit retirement plan. Participants in the Company’s principal U.S. defined benefit 
retirement plan whose retirement benefit was determined under the cash balance formula continue to earn interest credits 
on their vested balances as of December 31, 2013 but no longer receive pay credits. Participants whose retirement benefit 
was determined under the final average earnings formula or career average earnings formula continue to have their accrued 
benefit adjusted for pay increases until termination of employment. 

98

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

In the Company’s principal U.S. plans and certain funded foreign plans, funds are contributed to trusts in accordance 

with regulatory limits to provide for current service and for any unfunded projected benefit obligation over a reasonable 
period. The target asset allocation for the Company’s defined benefit plans is as follows:

Asset Category
Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Real estate and other investments

Total

United States

International

24%
68%
8%
100%

38%
45%
17%
100%

At December 31, 2019 the allocation of the Company’s plan assets and the level of valuation input, as applicable, for 

each major asset category were as follows:

$

Level of
Valuation
Input

Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents
U.S. common stocks
International common stocks
Pooled funds(1)
Fixed income securities(2)
Guaranteed investment contracts(3)

Investments valued using NAV per share(4)

Domestic, developed and emerging markets equity
funds
Fixed income funds(5)
Hedge funds(6)
Multi-Asset funds(7)
Real estate funds(8)

Pension Plans

United
States

International

Other Retiree
Benefit Plans

$

41
49
—
29
1,067
1
1,187

328
177
3
155
41
704

15
3
3
104
14
42
181

165
196
17
2
25
405

—
586

$

$

1
1
—
2
20
—
24

7
3
—
2
1
13

—
37

Other assets and liabilities, net(9)
Total Investments

(85)
1,806

$

$

99

  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 At December 31, 2018 the allocation of the Company’s plan assets and the level of valuation input, as applicable, for 

each major asset category were as follows:

Level of
Valuation
Input

Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents
U.S. common stocks
International common stocks
Pooled funds(1)
Fixed income securities(2)
Guaranteed investment contracts(3)

Investments valued using NAV per share(4)

Domestic, developed and emerging markets equity
funds
Fixed income funds(5)
Hedge funds(6)
Multi-Asset funds(7)
Real estate funds(8)

Pension Plans

United States

International

Other Retiree
Benefit Plans

$

$

29
75
—
106
865
1
1,076

229

116
56
94

39

534

9
3
4
82
24
51
173

134

173
6
2

22

337

—
510

$

$

1
3
—
4
28
—
36

8

4
2
3

1

18

—
54

Other assets and liabilities, net(9)
Total Investments

(42)
1,568

$

$

_______
(1)  Pooled funds primarily invest in U.S. and foreign equity securities, debt and money market securities. 
(2)  The fixed income securities are traded over the counter and certain of these securities lack daily pricing or liquidity and as such are 
classified as Level 2. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately 50% of the U.S. pension plan fixed income portfolio 
was invested in U.S. treasury or agency securities, with the remainder invested in other government bonds and corporate bonds.
(3)  The guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) represent contracts with insurance companies measured at the cash surrender value 

of each contract. The Level 2 valuation reflects that the cash surrender value is based principally on a referenced pool of investment 
funds with active redemption.

(4) 

Investments that are measured at fair value using net asset value (“NAV”) per share as a practical expedient have not been classified 
in the fair value hierarchy. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying investments owned, minus its liabilities, divided by the 
number of shares outstanding. There are no unfunded commitments related to these investments. Redemption notice period 
primarily ranges from 0-3 months and redemption frequency windows range from daily to quarterly.  

(5)  Fixed income funds primarily invest in U.S. government and investment grade corporate bonds.
(6)  Consists of investments in underlying hedge fund strategies that are primarily implemented through the use of long and short equity 

and fixed income securities and derivative instruments such as futures and options.

(7)  Multi-Asset funds primarily invest across a variety of asset classes, including global stocks and bonds, as well as alternative 

strategies.

(8)  Real estate is valued using the NAV per unit of funds that are invested in real estate property. The investment value of the real estate 

property is determined quarterly using independent market appraisals as determined by the investment manager. 
(9)  This category primarily includes unsettled trades for investments purchased and sold and dividend receivables. 

100

 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Equity securities in the U.S. plans include investments in the Company’s common stock representing 3% and 5% of 

U.S. plan assets at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. In 2019 and 2018, the U.S. plans sold 
588,334 and 384,004 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock to the Company. No shares of the Company’s 
stock were purchased by the U.S. plans in 2019 or 2018. The plans received dividends on the Company’s common stock of 
$2 in 2019 and $3 in 2018.

Other Retiree Benefits

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees to the 

extent not provided by government-sponsored plans.  

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its defined benefit and other retiree benefit plans. 

Summarized information for the Company’s defined benefit and other retiree benefit plans is as follows:

101

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Pension Plans
2019
2019
2018
2018
International
United States

Other Retiree
Benefit Plans
2018

2019

Change in Benefit Obligations

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

$ 2,147

$2,363

$ 787

$ 847

$

876

$

960

Service cost

Interest cost

Participants’ contributions

Acquisitions/plan amendments

Actuarial loss (gain)

Foreign exchange impact
Termination benefits (1)
Curtailments and settlements

Benefit payments

Other

Benefit obligations at end of year
Change in Plan Assets

1

90

—

—

181

—

7

—
(154)
—

1

86

—

—
(139)
—

9
(4)
(169)
—

14

22

2

3

82

8

—
(9)
(35)
2

$ 2,272

$2,147

$ 876

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

$ 1,568

14

21

2

4
(11)
(40)
—
(7)
(42)
(1)
$ 787

$ 575
(16)
27

3
(29)
(7)
(42)
(1)
$ 510

15

41

—

—

166

1

—

—
(49)
—

16

38

—

—
(88)
(5)
—

—
(45)
—

$ 1,050

$

876

$

$

54

8

24

—

—

—
(49)
—

37

$ —
(1)
100

—

—

—
(45)
—

54

876

54
(822)

$

$

$1,812
(101)
30

—

—
(4)
(169)
—

$ 510

76

30

2

12
(9)
(35)
—

262

130

—

—

—
(154)
—

$ 1,806

$1,568

$ 586

$ 2,272

$2,147

$ 876

$ 787

$ 1,050

1,568

1,806

586
$ (466) $ (579) $ (290) $ (277) $ (1,013) $

510

37

$

$ — $ — $

13
(13)
(290)
$ (466) $ (579) $ (290) $ (277) $ (1,013) $

$ — $ —
(46)
(776)
(822)

6
(12)
(271)

(13)
(1,000)

(26)
(553)

(28)
(438)

$ 910

$ 940

$ 238

$ 226

1

1

7

6

$ 911

$ 941

$ 245

$ 232

$

$

388
(1)
387

$

$

239
(1)
238

Actual return on plan assets

Company contributions

Participants’ contributions

Foreign exchange impact

Settlements and acquisitions

Benefit payments

Other

Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Funded Status

Benefit obligations at end of year

Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Net amount recognized
Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

Noncurrent assets

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

Net amount recognized
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Actuarial loss

Transition/prior service cost

Accumulated benefit obligation

$ 2,236

$2,090

$ 816

$ 731

$ — $ —

102

  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit

Obligations

Discount rate
Long-term rate of return on plan assets

Long-term rate of compensation increase
ESOP growth rate
Medical cost trend rate of increase
Interest Crediting Rate

Pension Plans
2019
2019
2018
2018
International
United States

Other Retiree
Benefit Plans
2018
2019

3.40% 4.38% 2.06% 2.80% 3.56% 4.43%
6.30% 6.60% 3.38% 4.06% 6.30% 6.60%

3.50% 3.50% 2.83% 2.86% 3.50% 3.50%
—% 10.00% 10.00%
—% 6.00% 6.00%
—%
—%

—% —%
—% —%
3.21% 4.38% 0.85% 0.85%

—%
—%

_________
(1)  Represents pension and other retiree benefit enhancements incurred in 2019 and 2018 pursuant to the Global Growth and Efficiency 

Program.

The actuarial losses incurred during 2019 were primarily driven from a decrease in discount rates applied against 
future expected benefit payments and resulted in an increase in the benefit obligation for both the U.S. pension and Other 
retiree benefit plans. The actuarial gains recorded during 2018 for both the U.S. pension and other retiree benefit plans 
were primarily a result of an increase in discount rates applied against future estimated benefit payments. Additionally, 
other retiree benefit plans were positively impacted as a result of lower medical cost increases.

The company adopted ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-

General (Topic 715): Disclosure Framework–Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.”  
beginning on January 1, 2020. Refer to Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

The overall investment objective of the plans is to balance risk and return so that obligations to employees are met. 
The Company evaluates its long-term rate of return on plan assets on an annual basis. In determining the long-term rate of 
return, the Company considers the nature of the plans’ investments and the historical rates of return. The assumed rate of 
return as of December 31, 2019 for the U.S. plans was 6.30%. Average annual rates of return for the U.S. plans for the most 
recent 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and 25-year periods were 17%, 6%, 8%, 7%, and 8%, respectively. Similar 
assessments were performed in determining rates of return on international pension plan assets to arrive at the Company’s 
2019 weighted-average rate of return of 3.38%.

The medical cost trend rate of increase assumed in measuring the expected cost of benefits is projected to decrease 

from 6.00% in 2020 to 4.75% by 2025, remaining at 4.75% for the years thereafter. 

103

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and plans with accumulated benefit 

obligations in excess of plan assets as of December 31 consisted of the following:

Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Plan Assets
Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Years Ended December 31,

2019

2018

$

$

2,862
2,094

875
166

2,882
2,007

2,689
1,924

Other Retiree Benefit plans with accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of 

December 31 consisted of the following:

Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Plan Assets
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Years Ended December 31,

2019

2018

$

$

958
37

807
54

Summarized information regarding the net periodic benefit costs for the Company’s defined benefit and other retiree 

benefit plans is as follows:

104

  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Pension Plans
2019
2017

2019

2018
United States

2018
International

2017

Other Retiree Benefit Plans
2017
2018
2019

Components of Net Periodic

Benefit Cost

Service cost

Interest cost

Annual ESOP allocation

$

1

90

—

$

1

86

—

$

1

94

—

$ 14

$ 14

$ 16

$ 15

$

22

—

21

—

22

—

Expected return on plan assets

(103)

(115)

(111)

(19)

(21)

(22)

Amortization of transition and
prior service costs (credits)

Amortization of actuarial loss

—

51

—

47

—

48

1

9

—

8

—

10

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 39

$ 19

$ 32

$ 27

$ 22

$ 26

$ 64

Other postretirement charges

7

9

24

1

2

4

—

Total pension cost

$ 46

$ 28

$ 56

$ 28

$ 24

$ 30

$ 64

$

$

41

—

(3)

—

11

16

38

—

(2)

—

14

66

—

66

$ 13

40

—

—

—

13

$ 66

(3)
$ 63

Weighted-Average Assumptions

Used to Determine Net
Periodic Benefit Cost

Discount rate

4.38% 3.73% 4.27% 2.80% 2.53% 2.59% 4.43%

3.80% 4.41%

Long-term rate of return on plan

assets

Long-term rate of compensation

increase

ESOP growth rate
Medical cost trend rate of
increase

6.60% 6.60% 6.80% 4.06% 4.04% 4.14% 6.60%

6.60% 6.80%

3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 2.86% 2.79% 2.58%

—%

—%

—%

—% —% —% —% —% —% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%

—% —% —% —% —% —% 6.00%

6.00% 6.33%

Interest Crediting Rate

4.26% 3.73% 4.27% 0.85% 0.85% 0.65%

—%

—%

—%

105

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Effective January 1, 2018, as required, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits 
(Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” on a 
retrospective basis. As a result, for all periods presented, only the service related component of pension and other 
postretirement benefit costs is included in Operating profit. The non-service related components (interest cost, expected 
return on assets and amortization of actuarial gains and losses) are included in a new line item, “Non-service related 
postretirement costs,” which is below Operating profit. Adoption of this standard had no effect on Net income attributable 
to Colgate-Palmolive Company, Earnings per common share or Cash flow. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting 
Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Other postretirement charges in 2019, 2018 and 2017 include pension and other benefit enhancements amounting to 
$7, $9 and $21 respectively, incurred pursuant to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. Other postretirement charges 
in 2019 and 2018 also include charges of $1 and $2, respectively, in part due to retirements under the Global Growth and 
Efficiency Program.

The Company made voluntary contributions of $113, $67 and $81 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to its U.S. 

retirement plans.

Expected Contributions and Benefit Payments

The Company does not expect to make any voluntary contributions to its U.S. postretirement plans for the year ending 

December 31, 2020. Actual funding may differ from current estimates depending on the variability of the market value of 
the assets as compared to the obligation and other market or regulatory conditions.  

Benefit payments expected to be paid from the Company's assets to participants in unfunded plans are estimated to be 

approximately $55 for the year ending December 31, 2020. 

Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants in both funded and unfunded plans are estimated as follows:

Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025-2029

Pension Plans

$

United
States

146
147
151
149
152
722

$

International
36
$
37
37
39
42
219

Other
Retiree
Benefit
Plans

$

49
50
51
52
53
272

Total

231
234
239
240
247
1,213

106

  
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

11. 

Income Taxes

The components of Income before income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31:

2019

2018

2017

United States
International
Total Income before income taxes

$

$

1,050
2,251
3,301

The Provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended December 31:

United States
International
Total Provision for income taxes

2019

180
594
774

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,175
2,289
3,464

2018

213
693
906

$

$

$

$

1,072
2,415
3,487

2017

338
975
1,313

Temporary differences between accounting for financial statement purposes and accounting for tax purposes result in 

the current provision for taxes being higher (lower) than the total provision for income taxes as follows:

Goodwill and intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Pension and other retiree benefits
Stock-based compensation
Tax credits and tax loss carryforwards
Deferred withholding tax
Other, net
Total deferred tax benefit (provision)

2019

2018

2017

$

34
12
(13)
(1)
3
(21)
(33)
(19) $

$

2
(15)
(7)
9
(4)
(100)
62
(53) $

135
84
(192)
(28)
(4)
(119)
16
(108)

$

$

107

  
  
  
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The difference between the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and the Company’s global effective tax rate as 

reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income is as follows:

Percentage of Income before income taxes

2019

2018

2017

Tax at United States statutory rate
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Earnings taxed at other than United States statutory rate
Charge for U.S. tax reform(1)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Foreign Tax Credit Carryback(2)
Benefit for foreign tax matters(3)
Foreign-derived intangible income benefit
Other, net

Effective tax rate

21.0%
0.6
4.7
—
(0.2)
—
(0.9)
(1.3)
(0.5)
23.4%

21.0%
1.0
5.6
2.3
(0.3)
(1.7)
(0.4)
(1.1)
(0.2)
26.2%

35.0%
0.5
(3.4)
7.9
(1.4)
—
—
—
(0.9)
37.7%

_________
(1)  On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted, which, among other things, lowered the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35% and 

established a modified territorial system requiring a mandatory deemed repatriation tax on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Beginning 
in 2018, the TCJA also requires a minimum tax on certain earnings generated by foreign subsidiaries while providing for tax-free repatriation of 
such earnings through a 100% dividends-received deduction. The Company’s effective income tax rate in 2017 included a provisional charge 
of $275, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017, based on its initial analysis of the TCJA using information and estimates available as of February 15, 
2018, the date on which the Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. During 2018, the Company 
finalized its assessment of the impact of the TCJA and recognized an additional tax expense of $80 reflecting the impact of transition tax guidance 
issued by the U.S. Treasury and the update of certain estimates and calculations based on information available through the end of 2018. Any further 
guidance issued after December 31, 2018 may have an impact to the Company’s Provision for income tax in the period such guidance is effective. 

(2) 

(3) 

In 2018, the Company generated excess foreign taxes associated with its foreign branch operations which are being carried back to 2017. This item 
is not expected to be recurring.

In December 2019, the Swiss government enacted changes to its corporate tax regime, which included, among other items, the repeal of certain 
preferential tax regimes and an increase to the cantonal tax rate for future periods. Additionally, the government provided transition rules which 
allowed companies to record goodwill for tax purposes, partially offsetting the impact on cash taxes of the higher cantonal rate over the next ten 
years. As a result of these changes, the Company recorded an estimated net benefit of $29 to the Provision for income taxes. In 2018, the benefit 
from a tax matter of $15 relates to several Supreme Court and Administrative Court rulings in a foreign jurisdiction allowing certain tax deductions 
which had the effect of reversing prior decisions. 

108

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

The components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows at December 31:

Deferred tax liabilities:

Goodwill and intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred withholding tax
Other

Total deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets:

Pension and other retiree benefits
Tax credits and tax loss carryforwards
Accrued liabilities
Stock-based compensation
Other

Total deferred tax assets
Valuation Allowance
Net deferred tax assets
Net deferred income taxes

Deferred taxes included within:
Assets:

Deferred income taxes

Liabilities:

Deferred income taxes
Net deferred income taxes

2019

2018

(598) $
(303)
(207)
(46)
(1,154)

381
93
221
88
100
883
(59) $
$
824
(330) $

(344)
(311)
(181)
(75)
(911)

354
89
180
95
164
882
(54)
828
(83)

2019

2018

177

$

152

(507)
(330) $

(235)
(83)

$

$
$
$

$

$

Applicable U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have been provided on substantially all of the Company’s 

accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. 

Net tax benefit of $13 in 2019, net tax benefit of $2 in 2018, and net tax benefit of $37 in 2017 were recorded directly 
through equity. The net tax benefit in 2019 predominantly includes current and future tax impacts related to benefit plans. 
The amounts in 2018 and 2017 include current and future tax impacts related to employee equity compensation and benefit 
plans.

The Company uses a comprehensive model to recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements 

uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take on an income tax return.

109

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Unrecognized tax benefits activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is summarized below:

Unrecognized tax benefits:
Balance, January 1

Increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current year
Decreases of tax positions taken during prior years
Increases of tax positions taken during prior years
Decreases as a result of settlements with taxing authorities and the expiration of

statutes of limitations

Effect of foreign currency rate movements

Balance, December 31

2019

2018

2017

$

$

190
14
(21)
20

(30)
—
173

$

$

214
14
(37)
9

(6)
(4)
190

$

$

201
13
(9)
15

(15)
9
214

If all of the unrecognized tax benefits for 2019 above were recognized, approximately $161 would impact the effective 
tax rate and would result in a cash outflow of approximately $170. Although it is possible that the amount of unrecognized 
benefits with respect to our uncertain tax positions will increase or decrease in the next twelve months, the Company does 
not expect material changes.

The Company recognized approximately $0, $1 and $11 of interest expense related to the above unrecognized tax 

benefits within income tax expense in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company had accrued interest of 
approximately $23, $27 and $28 as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns as well as income tax returns in many state and 

foreign jurisdictions. All U.S. federal income tax returns through December 31, 2011 have been audited by the IRS and 
there are limited matters which the Company plans to appeal for years 2010 through 2011, the settlement of which is not 
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. With a 
few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. state and local income tax examinations for income tax returns 
through December 31, 2013. In addition, the Company has subsidiaries in various foreign jurisdictions that have statutes of 
limitations for tax audits generally ranging from three to six years. 

The Company has made an accounting policy election to treat Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income taxes as a current 

period expense rather than including these amounts in the measurement of deferred taxes.

110

  
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

12. 

Earnings Per Share

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, earnings per share were as follows:

2019

2018

2017

Net
income
attributable
to Colgate-
Palmolive
Company

$

2,367

Net
income
attributable
to Colgate-
Palmolive
Company

Shares
(millions)

Per
Share

Net
income
attributable
to Colgate-
Palmolive
Company

Shares
(millions)

Per
Share

Shares
(millions)

Per
Share

859.1

$2.76

$

2,400

870.6

$2.76

$

2,024

881.8

$ 2.30

2.0

2.4

6.0

$

2,367

861.1

$2.75

$

2,400

873.0

$2.75

$

2,024

887.8

$ 2.28

Basic EPS
Stock options

and restricted
stock units
Diluted EPS

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the 

weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. 

Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method on the basis of the weighted-average 

number of shares of common stock plus the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period. 
Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.

As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the average number of stock options that were anti-dilutive and not 
included in diluted earnings per share calculations were 19,901,202, 18,039,961 and 11,056,725, respectively. As of 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the average number of restricted stock units that were anti-dilutive and not included in 
diluted earnings per share calculations were 4,516, 9,529 and 91, respectively.

111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

13. 

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has various contractual commitments to purchase raw, packaging and other materials totaling 

approximately $559 at December 31, 2019.

As a global company serving consumers in more than 200 countries and territories, the Company is routinely 

subject to a wide variety of legal proceedings. These include disputes relating to intellectual property, contracts, 
product liability, marketing, advertising, foreign exchange controls, antitrust and trade regulation, as well as labor and 
employment, pension, data privacy and security, environmental and tax matters and consumer class actions. 
Management proactively reviews and monitors the Company’s exposure to, and the impact of, environmental matters. 
The Company is party to various environmental matters and, as such, may be responsible for all or a portion of the 
cleanup, restoration and post-closure monitoring of several sites.

The Company establishes accruals for loss contingencies when it has determined that a loss is probable and that 

the amount of loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Any such accruals are adjusted thereafter as 
appropriate to reflect changes in circumstances.

The Company also determines estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of reasonably possible losses in 
excess of related accrued liabilities, if any, when it has determined that a loss is reasonably possible and it is able to 
determine such estimates. For those matters disclosed below for which the amount of any potential losses can be 
reasonably estimated, the Company currently estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess 
of any accrued liabilities is $0 to approximately $225 (based on current exchange rates). The estimates included in this 
amount are based on the Company’s analysis of currently available information and, as new information is obtained, 
these estimates may change. Due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and the unpredictability of outcomes 
of legal proceedings, any amounts accrued or included in this aggregate amount may not represent the ultimate loss to 
the Company. Thus, the Company’s exposure and ultimate losses may be higher or lower, and possibly significantly 
so, than the amounts accrued or the range disclosed above.

Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of loss contingencies 
arising from the matters discussed herein will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position 
or its ongoing results of operations or cash flows. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties noted above, an 
adverse outcome in one or more matters could be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any 
particular quarter or year.

Brazilian Matters

There are certain tax and civil proceedings outstanding, as described below, related to the Company’s 1995 

acquisition of the Kolynos oral care business from Wyeth (the “Seller”).

The Brazilian internal revenue authority has disallowed interest deductions and foreign exchange losses taken by 
the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary for certain years in connection with the financing of the Kolynos acquisition. The 
tax assessments with interest, penalties and any court-mandated fees, at the current exchange rate, are approximately 
$152. This amount includes additional assessments received from the Brazilian internal revenue authority in April 
2016 relating to net operating loss carryforwards used by the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary to offset taxable income 
that had also been deducted from the authority’s original assessments. The Company has been disputing the 
disallowances by appealing the assessments since October 2001. There is one case currently on appeal at the 
administrative level. In the event the Company is ultimately unsuccessful in this administrative appeal, further appeals 
are available within the Brazilian federal courts.  

In September 2015, the Company lost one of its appeals at the administrative level and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian 
federal court. In February 2017, the Company lost an additional administrative appeal and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian 
federal court. In April 2019, the Company lost another administrative appeal and filed a lawsuit in Brazilian federal 

112

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

court. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, 
that the disallowances are without merit and that the Company should ultimately prevail. The Company is challenging 
these disallowances vigorously.

In July 2002, the Brazilian Federal Public Attorney filed a civil action against the federal government of Brazil, 
Laboratorios Wyeth-Whitehall Ltda. (the Brazilian subsidiary of the Seller) and the Company, as represented by its 
Brazilian subsidiary, in the 6th. Lower Federal Court in the City of São Paulo, seeking to annul an April 2000 decision 
by the Brazilian Board of Tax Appeals that found in favor of the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary on the issue of whether it 
had incurred taxable capital gains as a result of the divestiture of Kolynos. The action seeks to make the Company’s 
Brazilian subsidiary jointly and severally liable for any tax due from the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary. The case has 
been pending since 2002, and the Lower Federal Court has not issued a decision. Although there can be no assurances, 
management believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the Company should ultimately prevail 
in this action. The Company is challenging this action vigorously.

In December 2005, the Brazilian internal revenue authority issued to the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary a tax 
assessment with interest, penalties and any court-mandated fees of approximately $63, at the current exchange rate, 
based on a claim that certain purchases of U.S. Treasury bills by the subsidiary and their subsequent disposition during 
the period 2000 to 2001 were subject to a tax on foreign exchange transactions. The Company had been disputing the 
assessment within the internal revenue authority’s administrative appeals process. However, in November 2015, the 
Superior Chamber of Administrative Tax Appeals denied the Company’s final administrative appeal, and the Company 
has filed a lawsuit in the Brazilian federal court. In the event the Company is unsuccessful in this lawsuit, further 
appeals are available within the Brazilian federal courts. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, 
based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the tax assessment is without merit and that the Company 
should ultimately prevail. The Company is challenging this assessment vigorously.

Competition Matters

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have historically been subject to investigations, and, in some cases, fines, 

by governmental authorities in a number of countries related to alleged competition law violations. Substantially all of 
these matters also involved other consumer goods companies and/or retail customers. The Company’s policy is to 
comply with antitrust and competition laws and, if a violation of any such laws is found, to take appropriate remedial 
action and to cooperate fully with any related governmental inquiry. The status as of December 31, 2019 of 
competition law matters pending against the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019 is set forth below.

In December 2014, the French competition law authority found that 13 consumer goods companies, 
including the Company’s French subsidiary, exchanged competitively sensitive information related to the 
French home care and personal care sectors, for which the Company’s French subsidiary was fined $57. 
In addition, as a result of the Company’s acquisition of the Sanex personal care business in 2011 from 
Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC (together with Unilever N.V., “Unilever,”), pursuant to a Business and 
Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”), the French competition law 
authority found that the Company’s French subsidiary, along with Hillshire Brands Company (formerly 
Sara Lee Corporation (“Sara Lee”)), were jointly and severally liable for fines of $25 assessed against 
Sara Lee’s French subsidiary. The Company is indemnified for these fines by Unilever pursuant to the 
Sale and Purchase Agreement. The fines were confirmed by the Court of Appeal in October 2016. The 
Company appealed the decision of the Court of Appeal on behalf of the Company and Sara Lee in the 
French Supreme Court. In March 2019, the French Supreme Court denied the Company's appeal.

In July 2014, the Greek competition law authority issued a statement of objections alleging a restriction 
of parallel imports into Greece. The Company responded to this statement of objections. In July 2017, the 
Company received the decision from the Greek competition law authority in which the Company was 
fined $11. The Company appealed the decision to the Greek courts. In April 2019, the Greek courts 
affirmed the judgment against the Company's Greek subsidiary, but reduced the fine to $10.5 and 
dismissed the case against Colgate-Palmolive Company. The Company's Greek subsidiary has appealed 

113

 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

the decision to the Greek Supreme Court.

Talcum Powder Matters

The Company has been named as a defendant in civil actions alleging that certain talcum powder products that 
were sold prior to 1996 were contaminated with asbestos. Most of these actions involve a number of co-defendants 
from a variety of different industries, including suppliers of asbestos and manufacturers of products that, unlike the 
Company’s products, were designed to contain asbestos. As of December 31, 2019, there were 121 individual cases 
pending against the Company in state and federal courts throughout the United States, as compared to 239 cases as of 
December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 110 new cases were filed and 228 cases were resolved 
by voluntary dismissal, dismissal by the court, judgment in the Company’s favor or settlement. During the year ended 
December 31, 2019, one case resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the Company after a trial, which is now pending 
appeal by the plaintiff, and one case resulted in an adverse jury verdict after a trial, which the Company is appealing. 
The value of the settlements and of the adverse jury verdict in the year presented was not material, either individually 
or in the aggregate, to such period’s results of operations. 

The Company believes that a significant portion of its costs incurred in defending and resolving these claims will 

be covered by insurance policies issued by several primary, excess and umbrella insurance carriers, subject to 
deductibles, exclusions, retentions and policy limits.

While the Company and its legal counsel believe that these cases are without merit and intend to challenge them 

vigorously, there can be no assurances regarding the ultimate resolution of these matters. With the exception of the 
case where the Company received an adverse jury verdict, the range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued 
liabilities disclosed above does not include any amount relating to these cases because the amount of any possible 
losses from such cases currently cannot be reasonably estimated.

ERISA Matter

In June 2016, a putative class action claiming that residual annuity payments made to certain participants in the 

Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan (the “Plan”) did not comply with the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act was filed against the Plan, the Company and certain individuals in the United States 
District Court for the Southern District of New York. This action has been certified as a class action. The relief sought 
includes recalculation of benefits, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees. The Company is contesting this 
action vigorously. Since the amount of any potential loss from this case currently cannot be reasonably estimated, the 
range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued liabilities disclosed above does not include any amount 
relating to the case.

114

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

14. 

Segment Information

The Company operates in two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. 

The operations of the Oral, Personal and Home Care product segment are managed geographically in five reportable 

operating segments: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa/Eurasia.

The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, including Operating profit. The Company uses 

Operating profit as a measure of operating segment performance because it excludes the impact of Corporate-driven 
decisions related to interest expense and income taxes.

The accounting policies of the operating segments are generally the same as those described in Note 2, Summary of 
Significant Accounting Policies. Intercompany sales have been eliminated. Corporate operations include costs related to 
stock options and restricted stock units, research and development costs, Corporate overhead costs, restructuring and 
related implementation charges and gains and losses on sales of non-core product lines and assets. The Company reports 
these items within Corporate operations as they relate to Corporate-based responsibilities and decisions and are not 
included in the internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company to measure the underlying 
performance of the operating segments.

Approximately 70% of the Company’s Net sales are generated from markets outside the U.S., with approximately 50% 

of the Company’s Net sales coming from emerging markets (which consist of Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), 
Africa/Eurasia and Central Europe). Oral, Personal and Home Care sales to Wal-Mart, Inc. and its affiliates represent 
approximately 11% of the Company’s Net sales in 2019. No other customer represents more than 10% of Net sales.

In 2019, 2018 and 2017, Corporate Operating profit included charges of $125, $152 and $313, respectively, resulting 
from the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. Additionally, Corporate Operating profit for 2019 included a charge for 
acquisition-related costs of $24 and a benefit from a value-added tax matter in Brazil of $30. 

Net sales
Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America(1)
Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific
Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care
Pet Nutrition(2)
Total Net sales

2019

2018

2017

$

3,424

$

3,348

$

3,606

2,450

2,707
981

13,168

2,525

3,605

2,502

2,734
967

13,156

2,388

$

15,693

$

15,544

$

3,117

3,887

2,394

2,781
983

13,162

2,292

15,454

_________
(1) 

Net sales in the U.S. for Oral, Personal and Home Care were $3,166, $3,091 and $2,865 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2) 

Net sales in the U.S. for Pet Nutrition were $1,441, $1,304 and $1,246 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

115

 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

2019

2018

2017

Operating profit

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care

Pet Nutrition

Corporate

Total Operating profit

Capital expenditures

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care

Pet Nutrition

Corporate

Total Capital expenditures

Depreciation and amortization

Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care

Pet Nutrition

Corporate

Total Depreciation and amortization

$

$

$

$

$

$

116

982

963

624

749

187

3,505

703
(654)
3,554

2019

43

90

42

40

8

223

41

71

$

$

$

1,037

$

995

634

777

173

3,616

680
(602)
3,694

$

1,043

1,171

605

842

180

3,841

677
(811)
3,707

2018

2017

53

$

131

39

75

11

309

35

92

335

$

436

$

2019

2018

2017

94

84

72

100

8

358

55

106

519

$

$

88

82

70

103

8

351

53

107

511

$

$

74

127

63

125

13

402

33

118

553

58

82

74

101

8

323

53

99

475

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Identifiable assets
Oral, Personal and Home Care

North America
Latin America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Africa/Eurasia

Total Oral, Personal and Home Care
Pet Nutrition
Corporate(1)
Total Identifiable assets(2)

2019

2018

2017

$

$

3,576
2,384
5,104
2,155
590
13,809
1,175
50
15,034

$

$

3,310
2,225
2,883
2,148
502
11,068
1,033
60
12,161

$

$

2,608
2,423
3,781
2,244
544
11,600
1,026
50
12,676

____________
(1) 

In 2019, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (2%) and investments in equity securities 
(92%). In 2018, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (7%) and investments in equity securities 
(88%). In 2017, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (5%) and investments in equity securities 
(86%). 

(2)  Long-lived assets in the U.S., primarily property, plant and equipment and goodwill and other intangibles represented 

approximately one-third of total long-lived assets of $10,192 in 2019, one-half of total long-lived assets of $8,259 in 2018 , and 
one-third of total long-lived assets of  $7,908 in 2017.

117

 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

15.  Leases 

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” on January 1, 2019, resulting in the recognition of 
right-of-use assets of $458 and liabilities of $574. The Company enters into leases for land, office space, warehouses and 
equipment. A number of the leases include one or more options to renew the lease terms, purchase the leased property or 
terminate the lease. The exercise of these options is at the Company’s discretion and is therefore recognized on the 
balance sheet when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise such options. As the Company’s leases typically 
do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using 
its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. 

Substantially all of the Company’s leases are considered operating leases. Finance leases were not material as of 

December 31, 2019 or for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019. 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s right-of use assets and liabilities for operating leases were as follows:

Other assets

Other accruals

Other liabilities

Total operating lease liabilities

Lease commitments under noncancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total lease commitments
Less: Interest
Present value of lease liabilities

$

$

$

$

$

$

The components of the Company’s operating lease cost for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were as 

follows:

Operating lease cost

Short-term lease cost

Variable lease cost

Sublease income

Total lease cost

$

$

502

145

491

636

167
127
101
63
36
241
735
(99)
636

169

5

30

—

204

Short-term lease cost represents the Company’s cost with respect to leases with a duration of 12 months or less and 
is not reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Variable lease costs are comprised of costs, such as the 
Company’s proportionate share of actual costs for utilities, common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance, that 
are not included in the lease liability and are recognized in the period in which they are incurred. 

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was 

as follows:

Payments against amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: $202 
Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: $232

118

 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

As of December 31, 2019, the weighted-average remaining lease term for operating leases was 8 years and the 

weighted-average discount rate for operating leases was 4.1% 

There were no material operating leases that the Company had entered into and that were yet to commence as of 

December 31, 2019. 

Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2018, prior to adoption of 

ASU 2016-02, were as follows:

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter

$

193
165
123
102
51
32

Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02, Company’s rental expense amounted to $213 in 2018 and $211 in 2017.

119

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

16. 

Supplemental Income Statement Information

Other (income) expense, net
Global Growth and Efficiency Program
Amortization of intangible assets
Equity income
Value-added tax matter in Brazil
Write-off of certain investments and fixed assets
Acquisition-related costs
Charges for a change in go-to-market strategy in certain countries
Other, net
Total Other (income) expense, net

Interest (income) expense, net

Interest incurred

Interest capitalized

Interest income

Total Interest (income) expense, net

Research and development
Advertising

2019

2018

2017

$

$

$

$

57
62
(9)
(30)
51
21
15
29
196

2019

193
(1)
(47)
145

$

$

$

$

88
59
(10)
—
1
—
—
10
148

2018

195
(2)
(50)
143

$

$

$

$

152
35
(11)
—
14
—
—
(17)
173

2017

156
(3)
(51)
102

2019

2018

2017

$
$

281
1,694

$
$

277
1,590

$
$

285
1,573

120

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

17. 

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

Inventories by major class are as follows at December 31:

Inventories

Raw materials and supplies

Work-in-process

Finished goods
        Total Inventories, net
              Non-current inventory, net
                    Current Inventories, net

2019

2018

$

$

$

305

$

49

1,056

1,410
(10)
1,400

$

$

253

37

960

1,250

—

1,250

Inventories valued under LIFO amounted to $303 and $294 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The excess 
of current cost over LIFO cost at the end of each year was $62 and $63, respectively.  The liquidations of LIFO inventory 
quantities had no material effect on income in 2019, 2018 and 2017.  Inventory classified as non-current at December 31, 
2019 was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Other assets".

Property, plant and equipment, net
Land
Buildings
Manufacturing machinery and equipment
Other equipment

Accumulated depreciation
Total Property, plant and equipment, net

Other accruals
Accrued advertising and coupon redemption
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
Accrued taxes other than income taxes
Restructuring accrual
Pension and other retiree benefits
Lease Liabilities Due in One Year
Accrued interest
Derivatives
Other
Total Other accruals

Other liabilities
Pension and other retiree benefits
Restructuring accrual
Long-Term Lease Liabilities
Other
Total Other liabilities

121

2019

2018

$

$

$

$

$

$

153
1,600
5,309
1,518
8,580
(4,830)
3,750

2019

525
340
104
85
54
145
43
16
605
1,917

2019

1,728
15
491
364
2,598

$

$

$

$

$

$

152
1,604
5,157
1,423
8,336
(4,455)
3,881

2018

486
275
127
148
84
—
35
9
532
1,696

2018

1,600
54
—
380
2,034

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

18. 

Supplemental Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information

Other comprehensive income (loss) components attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company before tax and net of tax 

during the years ended December 31 were as follows:

2019
Pre-tax Net of Tax

2018
Pre-tax Net of Tax

2017
Pre-tax Net of Tax

Cumulative translation adjustments

$

49 $

27

$

(233) $

(218) $

218 $

285

Pension and other benefits:

   Net actuarial gain (loss), prior
   service costs and settlements
   during the period

   Amortization of net actuarial loss,
   transition and prior service costs(1)
Retirement Plan and other retiree benefit
adjustments
Cash flow hedges:

   Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow 
   hedges

(204)

(154)

(21)

(16)

72

54

(132)

(100)

(9)

(7)

69

48

10

54

38

8

21

71

92

9

45

54

(25)

(16)

   Reclassification of (gains) losses 
   into net earnings on cash flow 
   hedges(2)
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Total Other comprehensive income
(loss)
_________
(1)  These components of Other comprehensive income (loss) are included in the computation of total pension cost. See Note 10, 

(5)
(12)

3
(22)

(170) $

(85) $

(172) $

288 $

(98) $

(15)

(6)

13

10

$

2

3

2
(14)

325

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits for additional details.

(2)  These (gains) losses are reclassified into Cost of sales. See Note 7, Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments for 

additional details.

There were no tax impacts on Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of cumulative foreign currency translation gains and 
losses, unrecognized pension and other retiree benefit costs and unrealized gains and losses from derivative instruments 
designated as cash flow hedges. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 
consisted primarily of aftertax unrecognized pension and other retiree benefit costs of $1,138 and $1,038, respectively, and 
cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments of $3,128 and $3,155, respectively. Foreign currency translation 
adjustments in 2019 primarily reflect gains from Thai baht and the Mexican peso. Foreign currency translation adjustments 
in 2018 primarily reflect losses from the euro and the Argentine peso.

122

 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

19. 

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

2019

Net sales

Gross profit
Net income including noncontrolling

interests

Net income attributable to Colgate-

Palmolive Company

Earnings per common share:

Basic

Diluted

2018

Net sales

Gross profit

Net income including noncontrolling

interests

Net income attributable to Colgate-

Palmolive Company

Earnings per common share:

Total

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$ 15,693

  $

9,325 (1)

2,527 (2)

2,367 (2)

2.76 (2)
2.75 (2)

3,884
2,287 (3)

$

3,866
2,308 (5)

$

3,928
2,316 (7)

$

4,015
2,414 (9)

600 (4)

560 (4)

0.65 (4)
0.65 (4)

618 (6)

586 (6)

0.68 (6)
0.68 (6)

627 (8)

578 (8)

0.67 (8)
0.67 (8)

682 (10)

643 (10)

0.75 (10)
0.75 (10)

$ 15,544

  $

9,231 (11)

4,002
2,408 (13)

$

3,886
2,301 (15)

$

3,845
2,269 (17)

$

3,811
2,253 (19)

2,558 (12)

678 (14)

2,400 (12)

634 (14)

675 (16)

637 (16)

562 (18)

523 (18)

643 (20)

606 (20)

Basic

Diluted

2.76 (12)

0.72 (14)

0.73 (16)

0.60 (18)

0.70 (20)

2.75 (12)

0.72 (14)

0.73 (16)

0.60 (18)

0.70 (20)

____________
Note:  Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed independently for each quarter and the year-to-date period 

presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly earnings per common share may not necessarily equal the earnings 
per share for the year-to-date period.

(1)  Gross profit for the full year of 2019 includes $8 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, and a $3 charge for 

acquisition-related costs.

(2)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 

share for the full year of 2019 includes $102 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $20 aftertax 
charge for acquisition-related costs, a $20 aftertax benefit related to a value added tax matter in Brazil and a $29 tax benefit related to 
Swiss income tax reform.

(3)  Gross profit for the first quarter of 2019 includes $11 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(4)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 

share for the first quarter of 2019 include $22 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(5)  Gross profit for the second quarter of 2019 includes $3 of benefit related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(6)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 
share for the second quarter of 2019 includes $31 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program. 

(7)  Gross profit for the third quarter of 2019 includes $1 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.

123

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

(8)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 
share for the third quarter of 2019 include $22 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program and a $14 
aftertax charge for acquisition-related costs.

(9)  Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2019 includes $1 of benefit related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, and a $3 

charge for acquisition-related costs.

(10)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 

share for the fourth quarter of 2019 include $27 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $6 charge 
for acquisition-related costs, a $20 aftertax benefit related to a value added tax matter in Brazil and a $29 tax benefit related to Swiss 
income tax reform.

(11)  Gross profit for the full year of 2018 includes $31 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(12)  Net income including noncontrolling interests for the full year of  2018 includes $124 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth 

and Efficiency Program. Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common share for the full year of 
2018 include $125 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, an $80 charge related to U.S. tax reform 
and a $15 benefit from a foreign tax matter.

(13)  Gross profit for the first quarter of 2018 includes $6 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(14)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 

share for the first quarter of 2018 include $20 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(15)  Gross profit for the second quarter of 2018 includes $5 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(16)  Net income including noncontrolling interests for the second quarter of  2018 includes $48 of aftertax charges related to the Global 

Growth and Efficiency Program. Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common share for the 
second quarter of 2018 include $51 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program and a $15 benefit from a 
foreign tax matter.

(17)  Gross profit for the third quarter of 2018 includes $8 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(18)  Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common 
share for the third quarter of  2018 include $22 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program and a $80 
charge related to U.S. tax reform.

(19)  Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2018 includes $12 of charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.
(20)  Net income including noncontrolling interests for the fourth quarter of 2018 include $34 of aftertax charges related to the Global 
Growth and Efficiency Program. Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common share for the 
fourth quarter of 2018 include $32 of aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program.

124

 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(Dollars in Millions)

Additions

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Other Deductions

Balance at
End of Period

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Allowance for doubtful accounts and estimated

returns

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Allowance for doubtful accounts and estimated

returns

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year Ended December 31, 2017

Allowance for doubtful accounts and estimated

returns

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

$

$

$

$

$

$

82

54

77

9

$

$

$

$

6

12

$ — $

$ — $

12

7

$

$

15

45

$ — $

$ — $

10

$

— $

73

$

— $

8

9

$ — $

$ — $

4

$

— $

76

59

82

54

77

9

125

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Market Information

The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and its trading symbol is CL. 

Stock Price Performance Graphs

The following graphs compare cumulative total shareholder returns on Colgate-Palmolive Company common stock 
against the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index and a peer company index for the twenty-year, ten-year and five-year periods 
each ended December 31, 2019. The peer company index is comprised of consumer products companies that have both 
domestic and international businesses. For 2019, the peer company index consisted of Campbell Soup Company, The 
Clorox Company, The Coca-Cola Company, ConAgra Brands, Inc., The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc., General Mills, Inc., 
Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, The Kraft Heinz Company, Mondelez International, 
Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and Unilever N.V. 

These performance graphs do not constitute soliciting material, are not deemed filed with the SEC and are not 

incorporated by reference in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and irrespective of any 
general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates these 
performance graphs by reference therein. 

126

 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Historical Financial Summary
For the years ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Continuing Operations

Net sales

$15,693

$15,544

$15,454  

$15,195  

$16,034  

$17,277

  $17,420

$17,085

$16,734

$15,564  

Results of operations:

Net income

attributable to
Colgate-Palmolive
Company

Earnings per common

share, basic

Earnings per common

share, diluted

Depreciation and

2,367 (1)

2,400 (2)

2,024 (3)

2,441 (4)

1,384 (5)

2,180

2.76 (1)

2.76 (2)

2.30 (3)

2.74 (4)

1.53 (5)

2.38

2.75 (1)

2.75 (2)

2.28 (3)

2.72 (4)

1.52 (5)

2.36

(6

)

(6

)

(6

)

2,241 (7)

2,472 (8)

2,431 (9)

2,203 (10)

2.41 (7)

2.60 (8)

2.49 (9)

2.22 (10)

2.38 (7)

2.57 (8)

2.47 (9)

2.16 (10)

amortization expense

519

511

475  

443  

449

442

439

425

421

376  

Financial Position

Current ratio

Property, plant and
equipment, net

Capital expenditures

Total assets

Long-term debt

Colgate-Palmolive

Company
shareholders’ equity

Share and Other

Book value per common

share

Cash dividends declared
and paid per common
share

Closing price

Number of common

shares outstanding (in
millions)

Number of common
shareholders of
record

Number of employees

1.0

1.1

1.4  

1.3  

1.2  

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.0  

3,750

335

15,034

7,333

3,881

436

12,161

6,354

4,072  

3,840  

3,796  

553  

593  

691  

4,080

757

12,676  

12,123  

11,935  

13,440

6,566  

6,520  

6,246  

5,625

4,083

670

13,968

4,732

3,842

565

13,379

4,911

3,668

537

12,711

4,417

3,693  

550  

11,163  

2,806  

117

(102)

(60)  

(243)  

(299)  

1,145

2,305

2,189

2,375

2,675  

0.66

0.23

0.28  

0.03  

(0.04)  

1.55

2.79

2.60

2.71

2.95

1.71

68.84

1.66

59.52

1.59  

1.55  

1.50  

75.45  

65.44  

66.62  

1.42

69.19

1.33

65.21

1.22

52.27

1.14

46.20

1.02

40.19

854.7

862.9

874.7  

883.1  

892.7  

906.7

919.9

935.8

960.0

989.8  

20,556

34,300

21,900

34,500

22,700  

23,600  

24,400  

25,400

35,900  

36,700  

37,900  

37,700

26,900

37,400

27,600

37,700

28,900

38,600

29,900  

39,200  

_________
Note:  All per share amounts and numbers of shares outstanding were adjusted for the two-for-one stock split of the Company’s 

common stock in 2013.

(1) 

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and Earnings per common share for the full year of 2019 includes $102 of 
aftertax charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $20 aftertax charge for acquisition-related costs, a $20 aftertax 
benefit related to a value-added tax matter in Brazil and a $29 tax benefit related to Swiss income tax reform.

127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

Historical Financial Summary
For the years ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share for the full year of 2018 include $125 of aftertax 
charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $15 benefit from a foreign tax matter, and an $80 charge related to U.S. 
tax reform.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share for the full year of 2017 include $246 of aftertax 
charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program and a $275 charge related to U.S. tax reform.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share for the full year of 2016 include $168 of aftertax 
charges related to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $63 aftertax gain on the sale of land in Mexico, $11 of aftertax charges 
for a litigation matter and $35 of benefits from tax matters.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share for the full year of 2015 include a $1,058 
aftertax charge related to the change in accounting for the Company’s Venezuelan operations, $183 of aftertax charges related to the 
Global Growth and Efficiency Program, $22 of aftertax charges related to the remeasurement of CP Venezuela’s local currency-
denominated net monetary assets as a result of effective devaluations, $120 aftertax gain on the sale of the South Pacific laundry 
detergent business, a $14 aftertax charge for a litigation matter and a $15 charge for a tax matter.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share in 2014 include $208 of aftertax charges related 
to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, $214 of aftertax charges related to the remeasurement of CP Venezuela’s local currency-
denominated net monetary assets as a result of effective devaluations, $41 of charges for litigation matters, $3 of aftertax costs related to 
the sale of land in Mexico and a $66 charge for a tax matter.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share in 2013 include $278 of aftertax charges related 
to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, a $111 aftertax charge related to the remeasurement of CP Venezuela’s local currency-
denominated net monetary assets as a result of a devaluation, a $23 charge for a litigation matter and $12 of aftertax costs related to the 
sale of land in Mexico.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share in 2012 include $70 of aftertax charges related 
to the Global Growth and Efficiency Program, $18 of aftertax costs related to the sale of land in Mexico and $14 of aftertax costs 
associated with various business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives.

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share in 2011 include an aftertax gain of $135 on the 
sale of the non-core laundry detergent business in Colombia, offset by $147 of aftertax costs associated with various business 
realignment and other cost-saving initiatives, $9 of aftertax costs related to the sale of land in Mexico and a $21 charge for a litigation 
matter. 

Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per common share in 2010 include a $271 one-time charge related 
to the transition to hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela, $61 of aftertax charges for termination benefits related to overhead 
reduction initiatives, a $30 aftertax gain on sales of non-core product lines and a $31 benefit related to the reorganization of an overseas 
subsidiary.

128

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2019 AT A GLANCE

Net Sales By 

Geographic Region

Net Sales By 

Geographic Region

22% North America

23% Latin America 

22% North America

16% Europe 

23% Latin America 

17% Asia Pacific 

16% Europe 

  6% Africa/Eurasia 

17% Asia Pacific 

16% Hill’s Pet Nutrition 

  6% Africa/Eurasia 

16% Hill’s Pet Nutrition 

Net Sales By 

Market Maturity

Net Sales By 

Market Maturity

52% Developed Markets

48% Emerging Markets 

52% Developed Markets

48% Emerging Markets 

#1

Market Share  

In Toothpaste  

Worldwide

$15.7B

Worldwide  

Net Sales

57

Consecutive  

Years Of  

Dividend Increases

$3.1B

Operating  

Cash Flow

$2.8B

Cash Returned  

To Shareholders  

Through Dividends And 

Share Repurchases

#1

Company In  

Household Products 

Industry By Dow Jones 

Sustainability Indices

Colgate Introduces    

Of-Its-Kind Recyclable Toothpaste Tube

1ST

Colgate’s first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube, 

which is certified by the Association of Plastic Recyclers, 

is made from the same plastic used to make bottles, 

so it recycles like a bottle and squeezes comfortably 

like a tube. Consistent with the Company’s values and 

sustainability goals, Colgate is sharing this innovative 

technology with other companies as part of its 

campaign to increase recyclability of toothpaste tubes.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Corporate Office
Colgate-Palmolive Company
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-7499
(212) 310-2000

Stock Exchange
The common stock of Colgate- 
Palmolive Company is listed 
and traded on the New York 
Stock Exchange under the 
symbol CL. 

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our transfer agent, Computershare, 
can assist you with a variety of 
shareholder services including change 
of address, stock transfers, questions 
about dividend checks, direct deposit 
of dividends and Colgate’s Direct Stock 
Purchase Plan.

Direct Stock Purchase Plan
A Direct Stock Purchase Plan is 
available through Computershare, 
our transfer agent. The Plan includes 
dividend reinvestment options, offers 
optional cash investments by check or 
automatic monthly payments, as well 
as many other features. If you would 
like to learn more about the Plan or to 
enroll, please contact Computershare:

Computershare 
PO Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
1-800-756-8700 or (781) 575-3301

Email: 
web.queries@computershare.com

Website:
www.computershare.com/investor

Hearing impaired:  
TDD 1-800-952-9245

Annual Meeting
Colgate’s shareholders are invited to at-
tend our annual meeting, which will be 
held exclusively online via live webcast. 
It will be held at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, 
May 8, 2020 and can be accessed at 
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
CL2020. Even if you plan to attend the 
virtual meeting, please vote by proxy. 
You may do so by using the telephone, 
the internet or your proxy card.

Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Communications to the  
Board of Directors
Colgate shareholders and other  
interested parties are encouraged  
to communicate directly with the  
Company’s independent directors as a 
group, individual independent directors 
and committee chairs by sending an 
email to directors@colpal.com or by 
writing to Directors, c/o Office of the 
Chief Legal Officer, Colgate-Palmolive 
Company, 300 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, 
New York, NY 10022. Such communica-
tions are handled in accordance with the 
procedures described in the Governance 
section of the Company’s website at 
www.colgatepalmolive.com.

SEC and NYSE Certifications
The certifications of Colgate’s Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, required under Section 302 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, have 
been filed as exhibits to Colgate’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2019. In addition, in 
2019, Colgate’s Chief Executive Officer 
submitted the annual certification to the 
NYSE regarding Colgate’s compliance 
with the NYSE corporate governance 
listing standards.

Forward-Looking Statements
This 2019 Annual Report may contain 
forward-looking statements. These 
statements are made on the basis of 
our views and assumptions as of this 
time, and we undertake no obligation to 
update these statements. We caution 
investors that any such forward-looking 
statements are not guarantees of future 
performance and that actual events or 
results may differ materially from those 
statements. Investors should consult 
the Company’s filings with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (including the 
information set forth under the caption 
“Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2019) for information 
about certain factors that could cause 
such differences. 

Reports and Policies
Annual reports, press releases, 
company brochures, SEC filings and 
other publications are available on our 
website at www.colgatepalmolive.com. 
Also available on our website is our most 
recent Sustainability information and 
Colgate’s policies on Diversity of Colgate 
People, Code of Conduct, Ingredient 
Safety, No Deforestation, Environmental, 
Occupational Health & Safety and 
Product Safety Research. For information 
about our products and our Programs 
and Policies on Animal Research and 
Development of Alternatives, please call 
1-800-468-6502.

Investor Relations
1-855-322-3551 or (212) 310-2575 

Email: 
investor_relations@colpal.com

Institutional Investors: 
Call John Faucher at (212) 310-3653

Consumer Affairs
For Oral, Personal and Home Care
1-800-468-6502

For Hill’s Pet Nutrition
1-800-445-5777

Corporate Communications
(212) 310-2551

Media Inquiries
(212) 310-2670

Email:
colgate_palmolive_media_inquiries@ 
colpal.com

More information about Colgate and our 
products is available on the Company’s 
website at www.colgatepalmolive.com.

© 2020 Colgate-Palmolive Company
Design by Robert Webster Inc. (RWI), 
  www.rwidesign.com
Major Photography by Greg Morris
    www.gregmorrisphotographer.com 
Printing by Universal Wilde

38084.COVER.CC2020.indd   2

38084.COVER.CC2020.indd   2

3/16/20   8:56 AM

3/16/20   8:56 AM

C 
 
 
ACCELERATING GROWTH

ACCELERATING GROWTH

ACCELERATING GROWTH

Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report

Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report

Colgate-Palmolive Company   n   2019 Annual Report

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300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499
300 Park Avenue  New York, NY 10022-7499

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people 
and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 
and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 
and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, 
Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 
Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 
Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s 
Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 
Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 
Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community 
wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 
wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 
wellbeing, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, 
Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 
Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 
Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is 
building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.
building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.
building a future to smile about, visit http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.

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