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 $273.84 (market cap $76.06B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $127.58 (market cap $305.29B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $305.29B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $348.71B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 2.75% |
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 $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.
MRK's stock trades at $128.08, up 6.02% over the past day, reflecting strong momentum. The technical outlook is bullish based on moving averages, with key support at $121 and resistance at $126. Fundamentally, the company reported $65.01B in 2025 revenue with a net income margin of 13.59%, and recent earnings beats in Q3 2025 and Q4 2025 highlight operational strength. The pending acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, signaling strategic growth initiatives.
The investment outlook for MRK is positive, supported by analyst consensus with a $137.30 price target and 67.57% buy ratings. Key opportunities include robust profitability and pipeline expansion via M&A, while risks involve rising debt levels and competitive pressures in the pharmaceutical sector. Earnings growth and successful integration of acquisitions are critical for sustained upside.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →
