Ecolab Inc. vs Ross Stores, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $281.08 (market cap $79.79B), while Ross Stores, Inc. trades at $249.64 (market cap $80.78B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. and Ross Stores, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.03%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | ROST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.79B | $80.78B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $255.23 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $144.67 |
Enterprise Value | $88.57B | $81.37B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $284.4, down slightly (-0.27%) on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support (78% buy ratings). The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings of $2.09 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $16.08B, and profitability remains robust with a net income margin of 12.57%. Recent news highlights institutional activity and the completion of the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition, strengthening its high-tech portfolio.
The outlook is positive, driven by earnings momentum, strategic acquisitions, and a consensus price target of $327.90 implying ~15% upside. Key risks include execution of integration for recent acquisitions, input cost pressures, and broader market volatility. The stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth investors seeking exposure to a stable, dividend-paying company with digital and high-tech expansion drivers.
Ross Stores (ROST) trades at $254.83, near its consensus price target of $259.00, with a slight 0.16% decline. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including a 9.74% net income margin and 38.98% ROE for 2025, with recent quarterly earnings consistently beating estimates. Technical indicators are bullish, supported by positive moving averages and recent store expansion news.
The outlook remains positive due to robust earnings growth and analyst buy ratings (63.83% consensus). Key risks include high valuation multiples (P/E of 35.17) and competitive pressures in discount retail. Upside potential exists if Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, but macroeconomic headwinds could pressure consumer spending.
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 →Ross Stores is a leading American off-price apparel and home fashion retailer, operating over 1,920 stores (at the end of fiscal 2021) across the Ross Dress for Less and dd's Discounts banners. Ross offers a variety of name-brand products and targets undercutting conventional retailers' regular prices by 20%-70%. The company uses an opportunistic, flexible merchandising approach
Read more on ROST →