Autozone Inc vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $3,019.81 (market cap $49.50B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $269.19 (market cap $75.92B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.08% dividend while Autozone Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.50B | $75.92B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $2.94K | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $61.88B | $84.66B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.08% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,078.98, up 0.21% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages despite neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed recent earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q3 2025, with revenue growing to $18.94B in 2025. Analyst sentiment remains strongly positive with a 72.73% buy rating and a consensus price target of $3,740, though recent news highlights stock volatility and competitive pressures.
The outlook for AZO is supported by solid fundamentals, including a 12.4% net income margin and aggressive share buybacks, but risks include slowing profit margin trends and bearish technical indicators. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 EPS expectations of 54.51, though investors should monitor same-store sales growth and international expansion execution.
ECL trades at $271.85, down 0.9% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $327.43, implying significant upside. Recent financials show revenue growth to $16.08B in 2025 and a net income margin of 12.8%, though earnings have been mixed with a Q2 2026 estimate of $2.08 pending. The company's acquisition of CoolIT for $4.75B strengthens its AI cooling portfolio, positioning it for long-term growth in high-tech markets.
The outlook for ECL is positive, supported by strong analyst buy ratings (75.68%) and strategic expansions, but risks include execution of recent acquisitions and cost pressures. The stock's current valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 36.79, suggest premium pricing that requires sustained earnings growth to justify further gains.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AutoZone is the premier seller of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in the United States. The company derives an increasing proportion of its sales from domestic commercial customers, although its presence in its home market is still dominated by its do-it-yourself operation, which accounts for nearly 75% of sales in country. AutoZone also has a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone had 6,767 stores in the U.S. (6,051), Mexico (664), and Brazil (52) as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Read more on AZO →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 →