Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.88 (market cap $76.06B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $233.91 (market cap $20.30B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 3.7× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.63%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $20.30B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $24.13B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 2.63% |
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.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $231.26, up 2.44% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, beating Q1 2026 estimates but missing Q3 and Q4 2025. Fundamentals show solid profitability with an 8.04% net margin and 16.21% ROE, though valuation ratios appear elevated. The company recently announced a 20% dividend increase, signaling confidence in cash generation.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by analyst consensus and a dividend hike, but tempered by recent earnings misses and margin pressure. Key opportunities include market share gains and operational efficiency, while risks involve input cost inflation, competitive pressures, and potential earnings volatility. The stock trades below the consensus price target of $256.14, suggesting potential upside.
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 Packaging Corporation of America
Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →
