Ecolab Inc. vs Kimberly Clark Corp — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $286.29 (market cap $79.73B), while Kimberly Clark Corp trades at $108.57 (market cap $36.48B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 2.2× Kimberly Clark Corp's market cap, and Kimberly Clark Corp pays the higher dividend (4.67%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | KMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $36.48B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $134.81 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $93.05 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $42.04B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 4.67% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $285.17, up 0.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.09, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady, with a net income margin of 12.57% and robust cash flow from operations of $2.95B in 2025. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and institutional buying interest.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $327.90, implying 15% upside. Risks include elevated valuation multiples and potential margin pressure from input costs. The stock's momentum is supported by earnings beats and strategic acquisitions, but investors should monitor debt levels and competitive dynamics in the water and hygiene sector.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at $109.68, up 0.94% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with 11.79% net margin and 129.43% ROE, though Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates. Recent news highlights China market challenges and dividend stability. Current valuation metrics include P/E of 21.68 and P/S of 2.2, with analyst consensus price target of $113.20 suggesting modest upside potential from current levels.
KMB presents a balanced investment case with solid fundamentals offset by near-term headwinds. The company maintains strong brand positioning and dividend consistency, but faces execution risks from China market disruptions and consumer softness. Wall Street maintains cautious optimism with 61% hold ratings, indicating potential for gradual appreciation if operational challenges are managed effectively.
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 →With around half of sales from personal care and another third from tissue products, Kimberly-Clark sits as a leading manufacturer of tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates K-C Professional, which partners with businesses to provide safety and sanitary products for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over of half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America.
Read more on KMB →