CL · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report
Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures
COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO · 2026-10-30 · Importance 42 · Surprise 14 · From source text
Net cash provided by operations increased 6% to $2,913 million in the first nine months of 2026 from $2,745 million in 2025, primarily due to higher net income excluding non-cash items and changes in working capital. Working capital was negative 6.3% of net sales at September 30, 2026, compared with negative 4.0% a year earlier. Capital expenditures were $400 million, up from $387 million, and 2026 capital expenditures were expected to be approximately 3.0% of net sales. Investing activities used $381 million in 2026 versus $714 million in 2025, which included the acquisition of Care TopCo Pty Ltd, owner of the Prime100 pet food business.
Key facts
- Capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be approximately 3.0% of net sales. source
- Net cash provided by operations increased 6% to $2,913 million in the first nine months of 2026 from $2,745 million in the first nine months of 2025. source
- Financing activities used $2,272 million of cash in the first nine months of 2026, compared with $1,895 million in the first nine months of 2025. source
- Working capital was negative 6.3% of net sales as of September 30, 2026, compared with negative 4.0% as of September 30, 2025. source
- Investing activities used $381 million of cash in the first nine months of 2026, compared with $714 million in the first nine months of 2025. source
- Capital expenditures were $400 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared with $387 million in the first nine months of 2025. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | negative | realized | -2.3% | Financing activities used $2,272 million of cash in the first nine months of 2026, compared with $1,895 million in the first nine months… |
| cash | positive | realized | +1.0% | Net cash provided by operations increased 6% to $2,913 million in the first nine months of 2026 from $2,745 million in the first nine… |
| cash | negative | committed | — | Capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be approximately 3.0% of net sales. |