Ecolab Inc. vs Kroger Co — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $281.36 (market cap $77.96B), while Kroger Co trades at $61.26 (market cap $34.99B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 2.2× Kroger Co's market cap, and Kroger Co 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 Kroger Co for 108 Days on average.
| ECL | KR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $77.96B | $34.99B |
Volume | 1,145,536 | 8,938,607 |
Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $75.60 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $55.53 |
Typical Hold Time | 90 Days | 108 Days |
Enterprise Value | $86.74B | $56.41B |
Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 2.63% |
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.
Kroger (KR) trades at $61.41, up 5.14% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals with $147.12B in revenue, though net margins remain thin at 0.73%. Recent earnings show mixed results with Q2 2026 beating expectations but Q1 2026 missing. The company maintains positive cash flow generation and continues dividend payments while facing competitive pressures in the grocery sector.
Kroger presents a balanced investment case with attractive valuation metrics (P/S 0.25) and analyst consensus pointing to 15% upside to $70.62 target. However, risks include integration challenges from acquisitions, margin pressure from price competition, and softer 2026 sales guidance. The stock offers value characteristics with dividend yield support amid ongoing digital transformation efforts.
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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 →Kroger is the leading American grocer, with 2,726 supermarkets operating under several banners throughout the country as of the end of fiscal 2021. Around 83% of stores have pharmacies, while nearly 60% also sell fuel. The company also operates roughly 120 fine jewelry stores. Kroger features a leading private-label offering and manufactures around 30% of its own-brand units (and more than 40% of its grocery own-label assortment) itself, in 33 food production plants nationwide. Kroger is a top-two grocer in most of its major markets (as of early 2021, according to company data). Virtually all of Kroger's sales come from the United States.
Read more on KR →