Quest Diagnostics Inc vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $202.42 (market cap $22.80B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $271.12 (market cap $75.92B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 3.3× Quest Diagnostics Inc's market cap, and Quest Diagnostics Inc pays the higher dividend (1.67%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DGX | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $22.80B | $75.92B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $216.02 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $166.42 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $28.82B | $84.66B |
Dividend Yield | 1.67% | 1.08% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) trades at $207.35, showing minimal daily movement with a slight decline of 0.04%. The stock maintains a bullish technical stance with recent earnings beats and analyst consensus pointing to upside potential. Recent developments include New York State approval for Haystack MRD testing and strong momentum across diagnostic channels. Revenue growth accelerated to $11.04 billion in 2025 with consistent profitability margins around 9%.
DGX presents a balanced investment case with 38% analyst buy ratings and a $227.75 price target suggesting 10% upside. The company demonstrates steady revenue growth and operational efficiency, though elevated debt levels and policy risks require monitoring. Second quarter earnings on July 23, 2026, will be crucial for validating current momentum and growth trajectory.
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
Quest Diagnostics is a leading independent provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services in the U.S. The company generates over 95% of its revenue through clinical testing, anatomic pathology, esoteric testing, and substance abuse testing with specimens collected at its national network of roughly 2,300 patient service centers, as well as multiple doctors offices and hospitals. The firm also runs a much smaller diagnostic solutions segment that provides clinical trials testing, risk assessment services, and information technology solutions.
Read more on DGX →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 →