Ecolab Inc. vs Gartner Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $280.31 (market cap $78.97B), while Gartner Inc trades at $192.49 (market cap $12.34B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 6.4× Gartner Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.04% dividend while Gartner Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Ecolab Inc. for 90 Days and Gartner Inc for 64 Days on average.
| ECL | IT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.97B | $12.34B |
Volume | 974,947 | 919,809 |
Sector | Basic Materials | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $258.17 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $125.68 |
Typical Hold Time | 90 Days | 64 Days |
Enterprise Value | $87.75B | $14.08B |
Dividend Yield | 1.04% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $278.10, down 0.97% on the day, with strong analyst support (78% buy ratings) and a $326.38 consensus price target suggesting 17% upside. The stock shows bullish technical signals with support at $275 and resistance at $279. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with 9.7% sales growth, while the company maintains dividend aristocrat status with consistent payout increases.
ECL presents a compelling growth story with expanding high-tech and digital segments, though elevated valuation multiples (P/E 37.81) and rising debt from the CoolIT acquisition warrant caution. The essential nature of its hygiene and water management services provides defensive characteristics, while upcoming Q3 earnings on October 27 will be critical for validating growth trajectory.
Gartner (IT) trades at $195.09, up 5.02% today, showing strong momentum with three consecutive quarterly EPS beats. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with support at $185 and resistance at $188. Fundamentally, the company maintains robust profitability with 69.63% gross margins and 12% net income margin, though 2025 net income declined to $729M from 2024's $1.3B. Recent news highlights AI advisory demand growth and the upcoming Gartner IT Symposium in October.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at Buy (28%) and $174.63 price target, though current price exceeds target. Key opportunities include strong ROE (113.58%) and AI-driven consulting demand. Risks include negative cash flow trends (-$211M in 2025) and potential fiduciary investigation noted in recent filings. Institutional sentiment appears mixed with 56% Hold ratings.
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 →Based in Stamford, Conn., Gartner provides independent research and analysis on information technology and other related technology industries. Its research is delivered to clients' desktops in the form of reports, briefings, and updates. Typical clients are chief information officers and other business executives who help plan companies' IT budgets. Gartner also provides consulting services and hosted nearly 80 IT conferences across the globe in 2007.
Read more on IT →