It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

Check out our latest analysis for Colgate-Palmolive

How Fast Is Colgate-Palmolive Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

Even modest earnings per share growth (EPS) can create meaningful value, when it is sustained reliably from year to year. So it's easy to see why many investors focus in on EPS growth. In impressive fashion, Colgate-Palmolive's EPS grew from US$1.91 to US$3.51, over the previous 12 months. It's not often a company can achieve year-on-year growth of 84%.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Colgate-Palmolive maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 5.1% to US$20b. That's a real positive.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of Colgate-Palmolive's forecast profits?

Are Colgate-Palmolive Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

We would not expect to see insiders owning a large percentage of a US$75b company like Colgate-Palmolive. But thanks to their investment in the company, it's pleasing to see that there are still incentives to align their actions with the shareholders. Holding US$75m worth of stock in the company is no laughing matter and insiders will be committed in delivering the best outcomes for shareholders. This would indicate that the goals of shareholders and management are one and the same.

Is Colgate-Palmolive Worth Keeping An Eye On?

Colgate-Palmolive's earnings per share growth have been climbing higher at an appreciable rate. This level of EPS growth does wonders for attracting investment, and the large insider investment in the company is just the cherry on top. The hope is, of course, that the strong growth marks a fundamental improvement in the business economics. Based on the sum of its parts, we definitely think its worth watching Colgate-Palmolive very closely. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Colgate-Palmolive , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.