COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO (CL) Business

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General Development of the Business

Colgate-Palmolive Company (together with its subsidiaries, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Colgate-Palmolive”) is a caring, innovative growth company united behind our purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. To achieve our business and financial objectives and deliver peer-leading performance and total shareholder return, we are focused on driving organic sales growth; delivering consistent, compounded earnings per share growth; achieving operational efficiencies; and driving growth in free cash flow along with the efficient use of our balance sheet. We do this by leveraging the global reach and penetration of our brands; building the incremental benefit of superior, science-based innovation supported by an agile and resilient supply chain; harnessing the power of best-in-class omni-channel demand generation; leading in capabilities such as data, analytics and artificial intelligence (“AI”); and evolving our high-impact, inclusive culture. Our products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories throughout the world. Colgate-Palmolive 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” and “– Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Part II, Item 7 of this report.

Description of the Business

We operate in two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. We are a leader in Oral Care with global leadership in the toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories according to market share data. We sell our toothpastes under brands such as Colgate, Darlie, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso and Tom’s of Maine, our toothbrushes under brands such as Colgate, Darlie, elmex and meridol and our mouthwashes under brands such as Colgate, elmex and meridol. Our Oral Care business also includes pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals.

We are a leader in many product categories of the Personal Care market with global leadership in liquid hand soap, according to market share data, which we sell under brands such as Palmolive, Protex and Softsoap. Our Personal Care products also include Irish Spring, Palmolive and Protex bar soaps, Irish Spring, Palmolive, Sanex and Softsoap shower gels, Lady Speed Stick, Sanex, Speed Stick and Tom’s of Maine deodorants and antiperspirants, EltaMD, Filorga and PCA SKIN skin health products and Palmolive shampoos and conditioners.

We manufacture and market a wide array of products for the Home Care market, including Ajax, Axion and Palmolive dishwashing liquids, Ajax, Fabuloso and Murphy household cleaners and Suavitel, Soupline, Fluffy and Cuddly fabric conditioners.

Sales of Oral, Personal and Home Care products accounted for 44%, 17% and 16%, respectively, of our total worldwide Net sales in 2025. Geographically, Oral Care is a substantial part of our business in Asia Pacific.

Through our Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment (“Hill’s” or “Pet Nutrition”), we are a 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 three 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 pet foods to help nutritionally support dogs and cats in different stages of health. Prime100 is a leading fresh pet food brand sold to pet specialty and other retailers in Australia. Sales of Pet Nutrition products accounted for 23% of our total worldwide Net sales in 2025.

For more information regarding our 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

Our Oral, Personal and Home Care products are sold to a variety of retailers, wholesalers and distributors worldwide. Pet Nutrition products are sold by authorized pet supply retailers, veterinarians and eCommerce retailers. Certain of our products are also sold direct-to-consumer. Our sales to Walmart, Inc. and its affiliates represented approximately 11% of our Net sales in 2025. No other customer represented more than 10% of our Net sales in 2025. We support our products with advertising, promotion and other marketing (with increasing emphasis on digital) to build awareness and trial of our products. Our 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 our 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 our total material requirements. We do, however, purchase certain key raw and packaging materials from single-source suppliers or a limited number of suppliers. For certain materials, new suppliers may have to be qualified under industry, governmental and/or Colgate-Palmolive standards (including those relating to responsible sourcing), which can require additional investment and/or take a significant period of time. Raw and packaging material commodities, such as resins, essential oils, tropical oils, pulp, tallow, corn, poultry 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 has in the past and may continue to adversely impact our profitability” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our products are sold in a highly competitive global omni-channel marketplace that is increasingly defined by the integration of traditional and digital retail operations and evolving consumer purchasing behaviors and preferences, as consumers continue to shop online and increasingly through social commerce and with the assistance of AI. The increased presence of alternative retail channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-customer businesses, has also intensified competition for consumer attention. We sell our products to a variety of customers, including large-format retailers, discounters and eCommerce retailers; our growth is increasingly dependent on our ability to generate consumer demand across key touchpoints in the omni-channel ecosystem whether through traditional retail, eCommerce, social media or digital. We are also increasingly dependent on certain key retailers, some of which exercise greater bargaining strength than we do, including the exclusive access to valuable first-party consumer data and analytics.

We face vigorous competition worldwide. Products similar to ours are available from multinational and local competitors in the United States and around the world. Certain of our competitors may have greater resources than we do or be more agile than we are. Private label brands sold by retailers are also a source of competition for certain of our products. In addition, the substantial growth in eCommerce and the use of AI have encouraged the entry of new competitors, some of which sell products direct-to-consumer. We face competition in several aspects of our business, including pricing, promotional activities, new product introductions and expansion into new geographies and channels.

We consider trademarks to be material to our business. We follow a practice of seeking trademark protection in the United States and throughout the world where our products are sold. Principal global and regional trademarks include Colgate, Palmolive, Darlie, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Murphy, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Prime100. Our rights in these trademarks endure for as long as they are used and/or registered. Although we actively develop and maintain a portfolio of patents, no single patent is considered significant to the business as a whole.

2

Government Regulations

As a global company, we are subject to extensive governmental regulations, including environmental rules and regulations, in the United States and abroad. The most significant government regulations that impact our business are discussed below. We are also subject to laws and regulations relating to sustainability, labor and employment practices, AI and taxation. It is our policy and practice to comply with all government regulations applicable to our business. In 2025, compliance with these regulations did not have, and we do not expect such compliance in the future to have, a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. For further discussion of how global legal and regulatory requirements may impact our business, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

Product Development: Legal and regulatory requirements apply to most aspects of our products, including their development, ingredients, formulation, manufacture, packaging, labeling, storage, transportation, distribution, export, import, advertising, sale and environmental impact. U.S. federal authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration 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.

Anti-Corruption, Anti-Bribery, Commercial Bribery and Competition: We are subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws that generally prohibit the making or offering of improper payments to foreign government officials and political figures for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or to gain an unfair business advantage, and laws that prohibit commercial bribery. In addition, our selling practices are regulated by competition law authorities in the United States and abroad.

Privacy and Data Protection: Our collection, storage, transfer and/or processing of customer, consumer, employee, vendor and other stakeholder information and personal data is subject to data protection laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, including the California Consumer Privacy Act in California, the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union and other emerging regulations in other jurisdictions in which we operate.

Trade Regulations and Compliance: We are subject to laws and sanctions imposed by the United States, including those imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) and/or by other jurisdictions that may prohibit us or certain of our affiliates from doing business in certain countries or restrict the kind of business that may be conducted. We are also subject to customs and trade laws and regulations and international trade agreements, including those relating to the import or export of our products, ingredients and raw and packaging materials and tariffs. For information regarding the impact of geopolitical events and tensions, wars and military conflicts and developments in global trade relations, refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Executive Overview.”

Human Capital Management

Human capital matters at Colgate-Palmolive are managed by our Global Human Resources function, led by our Chief Human Resources Officer, with oversight from the Personnel and Organization Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Board”). As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately 33,600 employees based in over 100 countries. Approximately two-thirds of our revenues are generated from markets outside the United States and over 84% of our employees are located outside the United States. Approximately 33% of our employees are based in Asia Pacific, 31% are based in Latin America, 17% are based in North America, 15% are based in Europe and 4% are based in Africa/Eurasia. Our global workforce covers a broad range of functions, from manufacturing employees to management personnel and certain of our employees are represented by unions or works councils.

3

Colgate-Palmolive’s Culture and Core Values

Colgate-Palmolive’s purpose is to reimagine a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. We believe Colgate-Palmolive people are crucial to our ongoing business success and aim to recruit, develop and retain strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Evolving our high-impact, inclusive culture – where all Colgate-Palmolive people can reach their full potential – is a key focus of our 2030 business strategy.

As the owner of the world’s most penetrated brand, our business success relies on our ability to market our brands to consumers around the world. As a truly global company, with employees in over 100 countries, it is important that our employees reflect the communities in which we live and work. We believe having a workforce that can speak to our consumers in an authentic manner enables us to increase our household penetration, an important part of our business strategy. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging that embodies our purpose and values, which are essential to how we drive innovation and growth. We celebrate differences, emphasize the importance of inclusion and belonging for everyone and value the contributions of all Colgate-Palmolive people. At Colgate-Palmolive, we are proud of our collaborative spirit - what we call The Power of WE.

Colgate-Palmolive people, working around the world, share a commitment to our three corporate values - We are Caring, We are Inclusive and We are Courageous. By encouraging Colgate-Palmolive people to be more caring, inclusive and courageous every day, our goal is to create a healthier future for ourselves and others. Underlying these values and our strong culture is the commitment of all Colgate-Palmolive people to maintain the highest ethical standards and demonstrate ethical leadership, including compliance with Colgate-Palmolive policies and our Code of Conduct.

We are committed to getting better every day in all that we do, as individuals and as teams. We seek to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace that promotes the growth and development of all employees, supported by a robust learning culture that aligns with our business needs. We are also committed to listening to our employees and seeing how the company is evolving and growing through regular employee engagement surveys.

Succession Planning

We have a rigorous succession planning process, led by our Global Human Resources function. Our Board is also extensively involved in succession planning and people development, with special focus on CEO succession. As part of the succession planning process, we review and discuss potential successors to key positions and examine backgrounds, capabilities and appropriate developmental assignments.

Compensation Philosophy

Given the importance of Colgate-Palmolive people to our business success, motivating and retaining critical talent is a key focus. We view compensation as an important tool to motivate leaders at all levels of the organization. For information regarding our compensation philosophy and executive compensation programs, please see our Proxy Statement to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Sustainability and Social Impact

Sustainability is critically important to our overall business and growth strategy. We consider our sustainability strategy a key enabler of our efforts to drive value creation across our business. We are proud of the progress we made with our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, which was focused on three key ambitions - Preserving our Environment; Helping Millions of Homes; and Driving Social Impact - and supported by actionable targets. As we embark upon our 2030 sustainability strategy, we remain focused on these three key ambitions and working to achieve measurable targets while continuing to take a science-based, pragmatic and value-driven approach to build resilience and value across our business.

Additional information about our sustainability targets and efforts, including our 2024 Sustainability & Social Impact Report and our 2025 Climate Strategy & Transition Plan, can be found in the Sustainability section of our website at https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/sustainability. References to these reports and our website are for informational purposes only and neither the reports nor the other information on our website is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

4

Information about our Executive Officers

The following is a list of our executive officers as of February 23, 2026:

Each of our executive officers listed above has served the Company or our subsidiaries in various executive capacities for the past five years with the exception of Shane Grant, who joined the Company in 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, Americas. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Grant served as Group Deputy CEO, CEO Americas and EVP Dairy, Plant-Based and Global Sales at Groupe Danone (“Danone”), a leading global food and beverage company, since January 2023. Mr. Grant joined Danone in May 2020 as Executive Vice President & CEO, Danone North America. He assumed the additional role of interim co-CEO, Danone in March 2021.

Under our By-Laws, our officers 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 our Board. There are no family relationships between any of our 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.

Available Information

Our website address is www.colgatepalmolive.com. The information contained on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available, free of charge, on our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, interactive data files posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, 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 we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Also available on our 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 our Proxy Statements.