CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain statements that constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that
set forth anticipated results based on managements current plans and assumptions.
These 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 levels, financial goals, the impact of foreign exchange volatility, the impact of COVID-19, cost-reduction plans, tax rates, new
product introductions, commercial investment levels, acquisitions, divestitures, share repurchases, or legal or tax proceedings, among other matters. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, may, will, could, would,
should, predict, potential, plan, believe or the negative of these terms or similar terminology.
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, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or by the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC). Moreover, we do not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those 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. Actual events or results may differ materially because of factors that affect international businesses and global economic conditions, as well as matters specific to us and the markets we serve, including the uncertain economic 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), the ability to operate and respond effectively during a pandemic, epidemic or widespread public health concern, including
COVID-19, 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 we believe they have merit.
All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the captions Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2019 and to the factors discussed under the caption Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and
3
September 30, 2020 (incorporated by reference in this prospectus) and similar sections in our subsequent filings that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, which describe risks and factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Those
risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the impact, if any, of these new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor,
or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, we caution investors not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements in making an investment decision. We are under no obligation to (and expressly
disclaim any obligation to) update or alter any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
Colgate-Palmolive Company, which was founded in 1806 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1923, is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet
Nutrition and reaching more than 200 countries and territories throughout the world, Colgate teams are developing and selling health and hygiene products and pet nutrition offerings essential to society. Our principal executive offices are located at 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(telephone (212) 310-2000).
We operate in two product segments: (1) Oral, Personal and Home Care and (2) Pet Nutrition. Colgate is a leader in Oral Care with global leadership in the toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories according to market share data. Our 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. 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, which we sell under the Softsoap, Palmolive and Protex brands. Our Personal Care products also include Protex, Palmolive and Irish Spring bar soap, Palmolive, Sanex and
Softsoap brand shower gels, Speed Stick, Sanex and Lady Speed Stick deodorants and antiperspirants, Filorga, eltaMD and PCA Skin skin health products and Palmolive and Caprice shampoos and conditioners. We are the market leader in liquid hand soap in the U.S. with our line of Softsoap brand
products according to market share data. Our Personal Care business outside the U.S. also includes Palmolive and Caprice shampoos and conditioners.
We manufacture and market a wide array of products for the Home Care market, including Palmolive, and Ajax dishwashing liquids and Fabuloso, Murphys Oil Soap and Ajax household cleaners. We are 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.
Through our Hills Pet Nutrition segment (Hills or Pet Nutrition), we are a world leader in specialty pet nutrition products for dogs and cats with products marketed in over 80 countries and territories worldwide. Hills markets pet foods primarily under two brands. Hills Science Diet, which is called
Hills Science Plan in Europe, is a range of products for everyday nutritional needs. Hills Prescription Diet is a range of therapeutic products to help nutritionally manage disease conditions in dogs and cats.
If you want to find more information about our company, please see the filings that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus. See the sections entitled Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC in this prospectus.
4