Ecolab Inc. vs PepsiCo, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.84 (market cap $76.06B), while PepsiCo, Inc. trades at $139.16 (market cap $184.81B). The key difference: PepsiCo, Inc. is far larger — about 2.4× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and PepsiCo, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.37%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | PEP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $184.81B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $170.44 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $135.35 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $227.30B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 4.37% |
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.
PepsiCo (PEP) trades at $139.22, up 2.78% on the day, with technical indicators showing bearish momentum despite recent earnings beats. The company maintains strong profitability with 10.78% net margin and 51.59% ROE, though revenue growth has moderated to 2.2% year-over-year. Recent news highlights price adjustments for snack products and sponsorship changes, while analysts maintain a cautious but generally positive outlook with a $159.27 consensus target.
PepsiCo presents a stable investment case with consistent dividend payments and strong brand positioning, though near-term headwinds include pricing sensitivity and competitive pressures. The stock's current valuation at 17.75 P/E appears reasonable relative to historical levels, with upside potential if North American recovery gains traction. Key risks include consumer pushback on pricing and execution challenges in the competitive beverage and snack market.
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 →PepsiCo is one of the largest food and beverage companies globally. It makes, markets, and sells a slew of brands across the beverage and snack categories, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Lays, and Ruffles. The firm uses a largely integrated go-to-market model, though it does leverage third-party bottlers, contract manufacturers, and distributors in certain markets. In addition to company-owned trademarks, Pepsi manufactures and distributes other brands through partnerships and joint ventures with companies such as Starbucks. The firm segments its operations into five primary geographies, with North America (comprising Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods North America, and North America beverages) constituting around 60% of consolidated revenue.
Read more on PEP →