A strong brand portfolio with strong market shares in many categories; Strong cash flow generation; Substantial geographic diversity to its earnings; and Conservative financial policy. Operates in a very highly competitive industry with many other large players; and Commodity and packaging material costs exposure. The ratings on New York City-based Colgate-Palmolive Co. reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' view that the company has an "excellent" business profile (as our criteria define the term) based on its diversified portfolio of consumer brands, strong market share positions, resiliency of its oral care products to economic cycles, and its extensive international presence. We also consider the company's financial risk profile to be "modest," based on the company's solid cash flow generating ability and
