Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $281.36 (market cap $77.96B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $263.26 (market cap $74.38B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. and Illinois Tool Works Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.63%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Ecolab Inc. for 90 Days and Illinois Tool Works Inc. for 67 Days on average.
| ECL | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $77.96B | $74.38B |
Volume | 1,145,536 | 1,125,477 |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $241.07 |
Typical Hold Time | 90 Days | 67 Days |
Enterprise Value | $86.74B | $83.23B |
Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 2.63% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Ecolab (ECL) trades at $281.69, up 0.31% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $326.38. The company reported revenue of $16.08B in 2025 with a net income margin of 12.57%, and recent earnings have mostly met or exceeded expectations. Strong institutional buying and insider purchases, alongside positive news coverage highlighting its dividend growth and essential business model, support a constructive outlook.
The stock presents a favorable risk-reward profile given its steady revenue growth, high profitability, and analyst optimism, though elevated valuation ratios and increased debt from the CoolIT acquisition pose risks. The upcoming Q3 2026 earnings report on October 27, 2026, will be a key catalyst for near-term price direction.
ITW trades at $264.71, down 0.91% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 19.39% net margins and 104.65% ROE, though valuation multiples appear elevated. Recent dividend increase to $1.72 reinforces its Dividend King status with 59 years of consecutive growth. Operating cash flow remains robust at $3.13B, supporting continued shareholder returns.
Outlook remains mixed with analyst consensus target of $280.14 offering 5.8% upside, but technical indicators signal near-term pressure. The company faces headwinds in automotive and foodservice segments while maintaining strong organic growth prospects. Debt levels have increased to 55.54% of assets, requiring monitoring amid rising interest rates.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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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 Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Illinois Tool Works is a diversified global manufacturer that produces specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related services. The firm operates 87 global divisions through seven distinct operating segments: automotive OEM, construction products, food equipment, specialty products, test/measurement and electronics, polymers and fluids, and welding. About half of its revenue comes from its operations in North America, with the remainder originating from international markets. ITW takes a bottom-up and decentralized approach to portfolio management, with the exception that each segment must apply its 80/20 operating process modeled on the Pareto principle.
Read more on ITW →
