Ecolab Inc. vs Medpace Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.17 (market cap $76.06B), while Medpace Holdings Inc trades at $539.39 (market cap $15.11B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 5× Medpace Holdings Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.08% dividend while Medpace Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | MEDP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $15.11B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $620.59 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $308.88 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $14.58B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $273.62, up 1.43% with a bearish technical signal despite strong analyst support. The company shows solid fundamentals with $16.08B revenue, 12.8% net margin, and 22.31% ROE. Recent Q1 2026 earnings met expectations while Q2 2026 results are pending. The $4.75B CoolIT acquisition strengthens AI cooling capabilities, positioning for long-term growth in high-tech markets.
ECL presents a compelling growth story with improving profitability and strategic acquisitions, though current valuation multiples appear elevated. Key risks include execution of recent acquisitions and rising cost pressures. With 76% analyst buy ratings and a $327.43 consensus target suggesting 20% upside, the stock offers potential for patient investors despite near-term technical weakness.
MEDP trades at $539.39, up 0.6% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a neutral RSI. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 results pending. Revenue grew to $2.53B in 2025, and net income margins remain strong at 17.19%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 33.31 suggest premium pricing. Recent news highlights volatility and a class action lawsuit filed in June 2026.
Outlook: MEDP shows robust profitability and growth potential, but high valuations and legal risks warrant caution. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $497 price target below current levels, indicating limited upside. Key catalysts include Q2 2026 earnings on July 22, 2026, which could drive momentum if results exceed expectations.
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 →Medpace Holdings, Inc. is a full-service clinical contract research organization (CRO) that provides comprehensive and scientifically-driven clinical development services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. The company specializes in conducting global clinical trials for new drug and medical device approvals. Medpace's model emphasizes therapeutic expertise and a highly integrated approach to accelerate the clinical development process for its clients.
Read more on MEDP →