Ecolab Inc. vs Quantumscape Corp — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Quantumscape Corp trades at $6.35 (market cap $3.81B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 20.9× Quantumscape Corp's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Quantumscape Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | QS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $3.81B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $18.44 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $4.89 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $3.02B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | — |
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.
QuantumScape (QS) trades at $6.075, up 9.86% in the last session, with a bullish technical signal overall despite mixed moving averages and oscillators. The company reported a net loss of $435.05 million in 2025, with negative ROE and ROA, and has no revenue as it develops solid-state battery technology. Recent news highlights partnerships with Volkswagen and Honda, but the stock fell 31% in July 2026 amid commercialization delays.
The outlook remains speculative, with potential upside tied to successful battery commercialization by 2029, but high execution risks and persistent losses warrant caution. Analyst sentiment is neutral to bearish, with 73% hold ratings, reflecting uncertainty over timelines and funding needs.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →QuantumScape Corp is engaged in the development of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles. It developed anode-less cell design, which delivers high energy density while lowering material costs and simplifying manufacturing.
Read more on QS →