Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $281.83 (market cap $78.97B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $145.6 (market cap $351.28B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4.4× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.39%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Ecolab Inc. for 90 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| ECL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.97B | $351.28B |
Volume | 974,947 | 7,969,665 |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 90 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $87.75B | $398.04B |
Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.39% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $281.69, up 1.29% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The stock shows robust fundamentals with revenue growth to $16.08B in 2025, a net income margin of 12.57%, and a 21.85% ROE. Recent news highlights its dividend aristocrat status and essential business model in hygiene and water management, with Q2 2026 earnings beating expectations.
Outlook is positive given high analyst buy ratings (78.38%) and a $326.38 price target, though risks include elevated debt from the CoolIT acquisition and cost fluctuations. The stock offers steady growth and income, supported by contract renewals and digital expansion, but investors should monitor execution on debt integration and margin pressures.
Merck (MRK) trades at $142.40, down 0.28% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue grew to $65.01 billion in 2025, and net income reached $18.25 billion. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, with institutional investors increasing stakes.
The outlook for Merck is supported by analyst consensus with a $158.78 price target and 68% buy ratings, but risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 113.9 and competitive pressures in the pharma sector. The stock's investment appeal hinges on pipeline execution and integration of acquisitions amid a challenging technical backdrop.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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About Ecolab Inc.
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
