Ecolab Inc. vs McCormick & Company, Incorporated — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.17 (market cap $76.06B), while McCormick & Company, Incorporated trades at $52.79 (market cap $13.70B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 5.6× McCormick & Company, Incorporated's market cap, and McCormick & Company, Incorporated pays the higher dividend (3.77%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | MKC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $13.70B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $72.81 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $45.60 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $18.30B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 3.77% |
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.
MKC trades at $52.44, down 0.78% for the day, with a neutral technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with a 21.91% net income margin and 25.7% ROE, while trading at a P/E of 8.47. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates, and the company is pursuing a transformative acquisition of Unilever's food business, which could significantly expand its scale.
The outlook is mixed; the potential Unilever deal offers substantial growth, but soft consumer volumes and modest organic growth present near-term risks. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $59.67 price target, implying potential upside. Key risks include integration challenges from the acquisition and competitive pressures in the consumer segment.
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 →In its 130-year history, McCormick has grown to become the leading global manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of spices, herbs, extracts, seasonings, and other flavorings. Beyond end consumers, McCormick's customer base also includes top quick-service restaurants, retail grocery chains, and other packaged food and beverage manufacturers, with about 30% of sales generated beyond its home turf to include 150 other countries and territories. In addition to its namesake brand, the firm's portfolio includes Old Bay, Zatarain's, Thai Kitchen, Frank's RedHot, French's, and the recently acquired Cholula brand.
Read more on MKC →