Colgate-palmolive (CL) Annual Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flow Summary

Colgate-palmolive (CL) annual cash flow statement covering fiscal 2020 through 2025, as reported to the SEC.

Colgate-palmolive generated $4.2B in cash from operations in fiscal 2025, up 2.2% from $4.11B in fiscal 2024.
That is 1.9 times its reported net income of $2.26B.
After spending $564M on capital expenditures, free cash flow was $3.63B.
Investing activities used $817M and financing activities used $3.26B. Overall, cash went up $192M.
Colgate-palmolive spent $1.21B buying back its own shares and paid $1.82B in dividends.

Net cash provided by operations has grown 2.5% a year on average since fiscal 2020, from $3.72B to $4.2B.

A cash flow statement shows the cash that actually came in and went out, split between running the business, investing and financing.

Figures in USD millions

						Dec'25	Dec'24	Dec'23	Dec'22	Dec'21	Dec'20
Operating Activities
Net income including noncontrolling interests
2,261	3,049	2,455	1,967	2,338	2,860	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net income including noncontrolling interests						2,261	3,049	2,455	1,967	2,338	2,860	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization
630	605	567	545	556	539	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Depreciation and amortization						630	605	567	545	556	539	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
ERISA litigation matter
65	-	267	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
ERISA litigation matter						65	-	267	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Restructuring and termination benefits, net of cash
-7	51	-23	49	-21	-71	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Restructuring and termination benefits, net of cash						-7	51	-23	49	-21	-71	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Venezuela remeasurement charges
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Venezuela remeasurement charges						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for a foreign tax matter
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for a foreign tax matter						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation expense
155	135	122	125	135	107	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation expense						155	135	122	125	135	107	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on the sale of land
-	-	-	47	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on the sale of land						-	-	-	47	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Goodwill and intangible assets impairment charges
919	-	-	721	571	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Goodwill and intangible assets impairment charges						919	-	-	721	571	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
-	-	-	-	-75	-23	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Loss on early extinguishment of debt						-	-	-	-	-75	-23	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for U.S. tax reform
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for U.S. tax reform						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of South Pacific laundry detergent business
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of South Pacific laundry detergent business						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for Venezuela accounting change
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Charge for Venezuela accounting change						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes
-109	-77	-98	-78	-132	-120	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes						-109	-77	-98	-78	-132	-120	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Venezuela hyperinflationary transition charge
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Venezuela hyperinflationary transition charge						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Termination benefits
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Termination benefits						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain before tax on sales of non-core product lines
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain before tax on sales of non-core product lines						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Voluntary benefit plan contributions
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Voluntary benefit plan contributions						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Cash effects of changes in:
Receivables
16	56	37	227	84	-138	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Receivables						16	56	37	227	84	-138	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Inventories
-109	100	-194	333	72	251	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Inventories						-109	100	-194	333	72	251	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable and other working capital
251	516	309	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable and other working capital						251	516	309	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current assets
-35	-28	-53	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current assets						-35	-28	-53	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current liabilities
-95	-44	-64	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current liabilities						-95	-44	-64	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable and other accruals
-	-	-	-115	14	520	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable and other accruals						-	-	-	-115	14	520	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current assets and liabilities
-	-	-	51	55	26	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other non-current assets and liabilities						-	-	-	51	55	26	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) operations
4,198	4,107	3,745	2,556	3,325	3,719	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) operations						4,198	4,107	3,745	2,556	3,325	3,719	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures
564	561	705	696	567	410	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Capital expenditures						564	561	705	696	567	410	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Sale of property and non-core product lines
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Sale of property and non-core product lines						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of marketable securities and investments
698	574	506	470	141	143	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of marketable securities and investments						698	574	506	470	141	143	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investments
752	564	502	322	141	124	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investments						752	564	502	322	141	124	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of land in Mexico
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of land in Mexico						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of South Pacific laundry detergent business
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of South Pacific laundry detergent business						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired
293	-	-	809	-	353	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired						293	-	-	809	-	353	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from the sale of land
-	-	-	47	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from the sale of land						-	-	-	47	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Reduction in cash due to Venezuela accounting change
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Reduction in cash due to Venezuela accounting change						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other investing activities
14	-37	33	-5	25	-3	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other investing activities						14	-37	33	-5	25	-3	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
-817	-534	-742	-1,601	-592	-779	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities						-817	-534	-742	-1,601	-592	-779	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Financing Activities
Short-term borrowing (repayment) less than 90 days, net
-989	93	-906	540	-171	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Short-term borrowing (repayment) less than 90 days, net						-989	93	-906	540	-171	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Short-term borrowing (repayment) less than 90 days, net
-	-	-	-	-	488	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Short-term borrowing (repayment) less than 90 days, net						-	-	-	-	-	488	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Principal payments of debt
655	503	903	406	703	1,085	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Principal payments of debt						655	503	903	406	703	1,085	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from issuance of debt
1,188	2	1,495	1,513	699	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from issuance of debt						1,188	2	1,495	1,513	699	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Dividends paid
1,823	1,789	1,749	1,691	1,679	1,654	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Dividends paid						1,823	1,789	1,749	1,691	1,679	1,654	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of treasury shares
1,210	1,739	1,128	1,308	1,320	1,476	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of treasury shares						1,210	1,739	1,128	1,308	1,320	1,476	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
101	638	380	418	424	874	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from exercise of stock options						101	638	380	418	424	874	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
-	-	-	-	-	99	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries						-	-	-	-	-	99	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other financing activities
132	-91	18	-18	-24	33	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other financing activities						132	-91	18	-18	-24	33	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
-3,256	-3,389	-2,793	-952	-2,774	-2,919	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities						-3,256	-3,389	-2,793	-952	-2,774	-2,919	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents
67	-54	-19	-60	-15	-16	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents						67	-54	-19	-60	-15	-16	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents
192	130	191	-57	-56	5	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents						192	130	191	-57	-56	5	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes paid
913	933	937	945	890	845	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes paid						913	933	937	945	890	845	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Interest paid
270	302	280	151	194	188	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Interest paid						270	302	280	151	194	188	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Principal Payments On Esop Debt Guaranteed By The Company
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Principal Payments On Esop Debt Guaranteed By The Company						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx