Ecolab Inc. vs HCA Health Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.02 (market cap $76.06B), while HCA Health Inc trades at $389.02 (market cap $84.04B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. and HCA Health Inc are close in size by market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.08%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | HCA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $84.04B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $545.13 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $334.32 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $132.95B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 0.82% |
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.
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is trading at $363.60, down 6.95% amid lowered 2026 guidance. The stock shows bearish technical signals but maintains strong fundamentals with consistent revenue growth to $75.6 billion in 2025 and earnings beats in recent quarters. Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $469.40 price target despite recent negative sentiment from payer mix challenges.
The outlook presents a value opportunity given attractive valuation multiples (P/E 13.05, EV/EBITDA 8.48) and dividend yield, though risks include rising uninsured patients and margin compression. Long-term growth drivers include capacity expansion and specialty care investments, but near-term volatility may persist until Q2 earnings clarity.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →