Ecolab Inc. vs Nucor Corporation — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.02 (market cap $76.06B), while Nucor Corporation trades at $237.03 (market cap $53.94B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.08%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | NUE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $53.94B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $266.35 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $131.78 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $58.59B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 0.95% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $269.75, down 0.77% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 2025 revenue of $16.08B and net income of $2.08B, though recent quarterly EPS results have been mixed. The company recently completed the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition to strengthen its AI cooling portfolio, positioning high-tech as a growth engine. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with a $327.43 price target, representing 21% upside potential from current levels.
The outlook is positive given strong analyst support and strategic acquisitions, but risks include execution of the CoolIT integration, rising cost pressures, and mixed quarterly earnings performance. The stock's premium valuation (P/E 36.57) requires sustained earnings growth to justify current levels, making upcoming Q2 2026 results on July 28 critical for near-term direction.
Nucor (NUE) trades at $234.16, up 0.5% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, and the company maintains a solid balance sheet with a 53-year dividend growth streak. Revenue trends show recovery from 2024 lows, supported by higher steel prices and expansion projects.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $262.89, though risks include cyclical demand and margin pressures. The stock offers value with a P/E of 23.5 and robust cash flow, but investors should monitor Q2 2026 earnings due soon for confirmation of growth trajectory.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Nucor Corp manufactures steel and steel products. The company also produces direct reduced iron for use in its steel mills. The operations include international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the company and others. The operating business segments are: steel mills, steel products and raw materials, the steel mills segment derives maximum revenue.
Read more on NUE →