Ecolab Inc. vs FMC Corp — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $279.48 (market cap $79.79B), while FMC Corp trades at $10.12 (market cap $1.30B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 61.4× FMC Corp's market cap, and FMC Corp pays the higher dividend (3.07%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | FMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.79B | $1.30B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $40.69 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $10.01 |
Enterprise Value | $88.57B | $5.11B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 3.07% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $284.4, down slightly (-0.27%) on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support (78% buy ratings). The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings of $2.09 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $16.08B, and profitability remains robust with a net income margin of 12.57%. Recent news highlights institutional activity and the completion of the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition, strengthening its high-tech portfolio.
The outlook is positive, driven by earnings momentum, strategic acquisitions, and a consensus price target of $327.90 implying ~15% upside. Key risks include execution of integration for recent acquisitions, input cost pressures, and broader market volatility. The stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth investors seeking exposure to a stable, dividend-paying company with digital and high-tech expansion drivers.
FMC stock trades at $10.46, down 1.23% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported a net loss of $2.24 billion in 2025, with negative profitability margins, though recent quarters show mixed earnings beats. Analyst consensus is divided, with a $11.60 price target, while recent news highlights revenue challenges and strategic moves like a $400 million investment from Tessenderlo Group to reduce debt.
The outlook remains cautious due to persistent losses and weak revenue trends, but debt reduction efforts and cost controls offer some stability. Key risks include competitive pressures and macroeconomic headwinds, while the current valuation metrics like P/S of 0.4 may attract value investors if operational improvements materialize.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →FMC is a pure-play crop chemical company. The company has diversified its sales to create a balanced crop chemical portfolio across geographies and crop exposure. Through acquisitions, FMC is now one of the five largest patented crop chemical companies and will continue to develop new products, with a focus on biologicals, through its research and development pipeline.
Read more on FMC →