Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs International Business Machines Corp (IBM) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs International Business Machines Corp — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.17 (market cap $76.06B), while International Business Machines Corp trades at $213.82 (market cap $198.50B). The key difference: International Business Machines Corp is far larger — about 2.6× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and International Business Machines Corp pays the higher dividend (3.2%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | IBM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $198.50B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $329.23 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $211.20 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $256.52B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 3.2% |
Volume | — | 4,481,527 |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
IBM's stock is trading at $213.46, down 1.66% for the day, following a significant 25% drop after a preliminary Q2 2026 earnings warning. The company reported strong profitability with a 15.61% net income margin and has beaten earnings estimates for the last three quarters. Technical indicators show a bearish trend, with the current price near the pivot point of $214. Recent news highlights concerns over AI's impact on enterprise spending and a securities fraud investigation.
The outlook is mixed: solid fundamentals and a consensus price target of $310.21 suggest long-term upside, but near-term risks from softer demand and legal scrutiny warrant caution. Investors should weigh the high ROE of 35.93% against volatility from shifting tech budgets and potential earnings miss in Q2.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Ecolab Inc.
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 →About International Business Machines Corp
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides computer solutions. The Company offers application, technology consulting and support, process design and operations, cloud, digital workplace, and network services, as well as business resiliency, strategy, and design solutions. IBM serves clients worldwide.
Read more on IBM →
