Key Highlights

  • Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) reported third quarter net Revenue of USD 9.967 billion, up 2.3%, with organic growth of 2.1% and Volume and mix adding 1.8 points, and reaffirmed organic growth of at least 2% for 2026.
  • Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) reported net sales of USD 5.37 billion, up 4.6%, and base Business EPS of USD 0.97 against a USD 0.92 published consensus, then raised its 2026 Earnings and gross Margin outlook.
  • Published coverage cites a gain of 3.9% for Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) and between 2% and 3% for Colgate-Palmolive on October 30, while the S&P 500 lost about 1.8%.
  • The consumer staples sector rose about 1.4% that session, a defensive pattern, though a single day does not establish a durable rotation out of technology.

Mondelez Delivers Volume

Mondelez International reported on October 29, 2026, with a call at 5 p.m. ET. Adjusted EPS was USD 0.78, up 5.5% at constant currency, and adjusted Operating Margin was 13.9%. Management kept 2026 guidance for adjusted EPS growth of flat to 5% at constant currency and free Cash Flow of about USD 3 billion. Capital return reached USD 2.8 billion over nine months, including USD 1.927 billion of dividends and USD 845 million of buybacks. Volume is the key detail. price increases alone can lift sales, but volume growth shows customers still choose Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) products at current shelf prices.

Colgate Raises Margin Outlook

Colgate-Palmolive reported on October 30, 2026 before the open. Organic growth was about 3.6%, made up of 1.7% volume and 2% pricing, according to published research, and Hill's Pet Nutrition grew 6.5% organically excluding private label. Management raised organic growth guidance to about 3%, base business EPS growth to 5% to 7%, and expects gross margin to expand rather than stay flat. Raw materials were roughly a 300 basis point headwind, offset by productivity savings above 290 basis points. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) said the fourth quarter should carry the year's highest Commodity Inflation and peak Tariff costs.

Rotation Versus One Good Day

Staples attract money in sell-offs because Demand for snacks and toothpaste changes little when growth scares hit markets. The Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 3% that day, so relative strength was clearly visible, but both stocks also had company news. Risks differ. Mondelez International faces input cost inflation and possible consumer trade-down. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) cited a difficult Mexico backdrop and a US toothpaste turnaround it still calls a work in progress. Staples can also lag when Growth Stocks rebound quickly, and valuations after a defensive bid can limit further upside. Both companies also operate amid elevated tariff and commodity uncertainty today.

Where Things Stand

Both stocks rose on a day the S&P 500 fell about 1.8%, helped by earnings that showed volume, margin and guidance support rather than a pure price story. That is encouraging for Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) and for Colgate-Palmolive, yet the evidence for a lasting rotation is thin: one session, two company-specific beats and a defensive sector gain of about 1.4%. Costs, tariffs and consumer trade-down remain real risks, and 2027 guidance has not been given.