Duke Energy Corp vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Duke Energy Corp trades at $122.44 (market cap $94.49B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $284.01 (market cap $79.73B). The key difference: Duke Energy Corp is the larger of the two by market cap, and Duke Energy Corp pays the higher dividend (3.58%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DUK | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $94.49B | $79.73B |
Sector | Utilities | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $133.46 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $113.99 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $187.00B | $88.51B |
Dividend Yield | 3.58% | 1.03% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Duke Energy (DUK) trades at $124.85, up 0.77% in the last session, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.43, exceeding the $1.30 estimate, and maintains strong profitability with a net margin of 15.78%. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $32.24B in 2025, while analyst consensus is a Buy with a $136.17 price target. Recent news highlights equity offerings and regulatory agreements impacting capital plans.
The outlook for DUK is cautiously optimistic, supported by consistent earnings performance and dividend payments, but weighed by high debt levels and bearish technical indicators. Investment appeal lies in its stable utility model and growth in power demand, though risks include regulatory scrutiny and interest rate sensitivity. The stock offers value near current levels with upside to analyst targets.
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
Latest headlines on both assets
Duke Energy is one of the largest U.S. utilities, with regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky that deliver electricity to nearly 8 million customers. Its natural gas utilities serve more than 1.5 million customers. Duke operates in three major segments: electric utilities and infrastructure
Read more on DUK →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 →