Carlyle Group Inc vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Carlyle Group Inc trades at $48.27 (market cap $17.20B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $284.25 (market cap $79.73B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 4.6× Carlyle Group Inc's market cap, and Carlyle Group Inc pays the higher dividend (2.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CG | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.20B | $79.73B |
Sector | Financials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $69.35 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $40.52 | $245.73 |
Dividend Yield | 2.93% | 1.03% |
Enterprise Value | — | $88.51B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CG trades at $47.79, down 2.23% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and support at $47. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations (EPS $1.07 vs. $0.911), though revenue declined to $2.9B in 2026. The company maintains a strong net income margin of 18.85% and announced strategic partnerships, including a $600M deal with Prime Capital Financial (Business Wire, 2026-08-06).
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $59.14 price target (53.84% buy ratings), but risks include volatile cash flow from operations (-$4.2B in 2026) and high P/E of 49.78. Investors may see upside from fundraising strength, though margin compression and macroeconomic headwinds warrant caution.
ECL trades at $285.17, up 0.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.09, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady, with a net income margin of 12.57% and robust cash flow from operations of $2.95B in 2025. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and institutional buying interest.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $327.90, implying 15% upside. Risks include elevated valuation multiples and potential margin pressure from input costs. The stock's momentum is supported by earnings beats and strategic acquisitions, but investors should monitor debt levels and competitive dynamics in the water and hygiene sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
The Carlyle Group is one of the world's largest alternative-asset managers, with $376.4 billion in total assets under management, including $259.6 billion in fee-earning AUM, at the end of June 2022. The company has three core business segments: private equity, which includes private equity, real estate, infrastructure and natural resources funds (accounting for 41% of fee-earning AUM and 65% of base management fees during 2021), global credit (45% and 24%) and investment solutions (14% and 11%). The firm primarily serves institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Carlyle operates through 29 offices across five continents, serving close to 2,700 active carry fund investors from 95 countries.
Read more on CG →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 →