Price movement over the last 24 hours
Automatic Data Processing Inc vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Automatic Data Processing Inc trades at $241.52 (market cap $98.17B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $275.83 (market cap $79.67B). The key difference: Automatic Data Processing Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Automatic Data Processing Inc pays the higher dividend (2.77%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ADP | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $98.17B | $79.67B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $310.94 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $188.79 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $99.24B | $88.42B |
Dividend Yield | 2.77% | 1.03% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADP trades at $245.60, up 1.37% on the day, near its 52-week high. The stock shows bullish technical signals with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Revenue grew to $20.56 billion in 2025, with a net income margin of 20.12%. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a consensus hold rating but a technical outlook suggesting strength. The company maintains strong profitability metrics and recently announced a dividend payment.
Outlook remains stable with projected revenue growth to $21.6 billion in 2026. Risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity. Opportunities lie in AI integration and margin expansion. The stock offers value through dividends and steady performance, though valuation multiples are elevated relative to historical averages.
ECL trades at $283.08, down 0.1% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $1.70, meeting expectations, and maintains strong profitability with a net income margin of 12.8%. Recent acquisition of CoolIT for $4.75B enhances its AI cooling portfolio, positioning for long-term growth. Cash flow from operations remains robust at $3.0B in 2025, though net cash flow turned negative due to significant investing activities.
Outlook is positive with 73% analyst buy ratings and a consensus price target of $326.17, implying 15% upside. Risks include rising costs and integration challenges from acquisitions. The stock's high P/E of 38.39 suggests premium valuation, requiring sustained earnings growth to justify current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
ADP is a provider of payroll and human capital management solutions servicing the full scope of businesses from micro to global enterprises. ADP was established in 1949 and serves over 990,000 clients primarily in the United States. ADP's employer services segment offers payroll, HCM solutions, HR outsourcing, insurance and retirement services. The smaller but faster-growing PEO segment provides HR outsourcing solutions to small and midsize businesses through a co-employment model.
Read more on ADP →Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the hospitality, healthcare, and industrial markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. The company has a strong hold on the U.S. market and is looking to increase its profitability abroad. Additionally, Ecolab serves customers in water, manufacturing, and life sciences end markets, selling customized solutions.
Read more on ECL →