Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Nucor Corporation (NUE) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Nucor Corporation — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Nucor Corporation trades at $272.98 (market cap $62.54B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.03%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | NUE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $62.54B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $274.74 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $131.78 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $66.95B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.82% |
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 $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.
Nucor (NUE) trades at $272.63, up 0.23% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong resistance near $280. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $4.84 versus $4.46, driven by record steel shipments and higher prices. Revenue trends show recovery from 2024 lows, with 2026 projections at $36.1B. The stock is near its consensus price target of $279.63, with analyst sentiment leaning bullish (59% buy ratings).
Outlook: Nucor benefits from resilient steel demand and operational efficiency, but faces risks from tariff policies and cyclical industry pressures. The current P/E of 21.76 is reasonable given earnings growth, though net margins have compressed from 2022 peaks. Investors should monitor Q3 2026 results against the $5.72 EPS estimate for continued momentum.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 Nucor Corporation
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 →
