Ecolab Inc. vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $186.39 (market cap $289.90B). The key difference: Philip Morris International Inc. is far larger — about 3.6× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and Philip Morris International Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.16%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $289.90B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $200.17 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $333.02B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 3.16% |
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.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $186.22, down 1.77% with mixed technical signals. The company reported strong Q1 and Q2 2026 earnings beats but faces margin pressure from rising costs. Revenue grew to $40.65B in 2025 with a robust 25.56% net income margin. Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $211.17 price target, though recent news highlights challenges including a $500M impairment charge and increased illicit cigarette trade in Europe.
PM offers solid fundamentals with high profitability and dividend yield, but near-term headwinds from cost inflation and regulatory risks warrant caution. The stock's valuation at 25.54x P/E is reasonable given earnings growth potential, making it attractive for long-term investors despite current volatility.
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 →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
Read more on PM →