Ecolab Inc. vs LyondellBasell Industries NV — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.02 (market cap $76.06B), while LyondellBasell Industries NV trades at $58.74 (market cap $18.72B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 4.1× LyondellBasell Industries NV's market cap, and LyondellBasell Industries NV pays the higher dividend (7.1%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | LYB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $18.72B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $82.38 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $42.28 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $30.34B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 7.1% |
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.
LyondellBasell (LYB) trades at $58.56, up 0.4% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, beating estimates in Q3 2025 and Q1 2026 but missing in Q4 2025. Recent news highlights strategic partnerships for sustainable packaging, including a collaboration with Mondelez announced in July 2026. However, fundamental challenges persist with a net loss of $745 million in 2025 and negative profit margins.
The outlook presents a dichotomy: analyst consensus is a 'Buy' with a $73.11 price target, and recent Zacks upgrades to 'Strong Buy' in June 2026 reflect optimism on earnings prospects. Key opportunities include cost-cutting initiatives and a pivot to higher-margin polymers. Primary risks are sustained revenue decline, elevated debt, and cyclical industry pressures that could delay a profitability turnaround.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →LyondellBasell Industries NV is a petrochemical producer with operations in the U.S. and Europe. It operates in six segments: Olefins and Polyolefins-Americas (O&P-Americas), Olefins and Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI), Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D), Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS), Refining and Technology. The company is a major producer of polyethylene, the world's largest producer of polypropylene, and the second- largest producer of propylene oxide. Its chemicals are used in various consumer and industrial end products. Substantially, all of the company's revenue is derived from product sales.
Read more on LYB →