Ecolab Inc. vs First Solar, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.84 (market cap $76.06B), while First Solar, Inc. trades at $213.2 (market cap $24.05B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 3.2× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.08% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | FSLR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $24.05B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $318.30 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $166.82 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $22.21B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $269.75, down 0.77% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 2025 revenue of $16.08B and net income of $2.08B, though recent quarterly EPS results have been mixed. The company recently completed the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition to strengthen its AI cooling portfolio, positioning high-tech as a growth engine. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with a $327.43 price target, representing 21% upside potential from current levels.
The outlook is positive given strong analyst support and strategic acquisitions, but risks include execution of the CoolIT integration, rising cost pressures, and mixed quarterly earnings performance. The stock's premium valuation (P/E 36.57) requires sustained earnings growth to justify current levels, making upcoming Q2 2026 results on July 28 critical for near-term direction.
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $213.15, down 3.37% amid bearish technical signals and class action lawsuit headlines. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 14.46, net income margin of 30.73%, and robust cash flow growth, though recent earnings misses and legal overhangs weigh on sentiment. Revenue climbed to $5.22B in 2025, with projected growth to $5.4B in 2026, supported by expanding operating cash flows.
The outlook balances solid profitability and analyst bullishness (60% buy ratings, $275.17 target) against near-term legal risks and technical weakness. Upside hinges on lawsuit resolution and execution of growth forecasts, while downside risks include prolonged litigation and competitive pressures in solar tech.
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 →First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and a new factory under construction in India.
Read more on FSLR →