Ecolab Inc. vs Marqeta Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Marqeta Inc trades at $15.52 (market cap $1.62B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 49.2× Marqeta Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Marqeta Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | MQ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $1.62B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $26.00 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $15.04 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $939.53M |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | — |
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.
Marqeta (MQ) trades at $15.96, down 4.37% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings with a beat on EPS and 17% net revenue growth, marking its second consecutive quarter of GAAP profitability. Recent partnerships with Google and Riskified highlight strategic expansion. However, valuation ratios remain elevated with a P/E of 177.28, and net income margin is thin at 1.53%.
The outlook is mixed; analyst consensus is a Buy with a $19.00 price target, implying upside, but execution on growth initiatives like stablecoin cards and European expansion is key. Risks include high valuation sensitivity and competitive pressures in fintech. Positive cash flow trends and recent profitability improvements provide a foundation for cautious optimism.
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 →Headquartered in Oakland, California, and founded in 2010, Marqeta provides its clients with a card-issuing platform that offers the infrastructure and tools necessary to offer digital, physical, and tokenized payment options without the need for a traditional bank. The company's open APIs are designed to allow third parties like DoorDash, Klarna, and Block to rapidly develop and deploy innovative card-based products and payment services without the need to develop the underlying technology. The company generates revenue primarily through processing and ATM fees for cards issued on its platform.
Read more on MQ →