Ecolab Inc. vs Herbalife Nutrition Ltd — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $280.73 (market cap $79.79B), while Herbalife Nutrition Ltd trades at $11.73 (market cap $1.23B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 64.9× Herbalife Nutrition Ltd's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Herbalife Nutrition Ltd pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | HLF | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.79B | $1.23B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $19.96 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $7.75 |
Enterprise Value | $88.57B | $3.06B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | — |
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.
HLF trades at $11.52, down 6.72% in the past 24 hours, with a bearish technical signal and mixed earnings history. The company reported Q2 2026 net sales of $1.3 billion, up 5.4% year-over-year, but missed EPS estimates. Valuation ratios appear attractive with a P/E of 7.53 and P/S of 0.24, though negative shareholder equity and high debt levels remain concerns. Recent news includes a planned CFO transition in December 2026 and inclusion in TIME's America's Best Companies list.
The outlook is cautious due to inconsistent earnings performance and a highly leveraged balance sheet, but low valuation metrics and analyst consensus leaning buy (53.84%) suggest potential upside if operational improvements and debt reduction continue. Key risks include execution challenges, competitive pressures, and sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions.
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 →Herbalife Nutrition Ltd is an international nutrition company.
Read more on HLF →