Ecolab Inc. vs Select Medical Holdings Corporation — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.88 (market cap $76.06B), while Select Medical Holdings Corporation trades at $16.51 (market cap $2.05B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 37.1× Select Medical Holdings Corporation's market cap, and Select Medical Holdings Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.51%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | SEM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $2.05B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $16.66 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $11.77 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $5.01B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 1.51% |
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.
Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) trades at $16.51, unchanged on the day. The stock's technical outlook is mixed with a bullish overall signal but bearish moving averages. Fundamentally, the company reported 2025 revenue of $5.45 billion and net income of $146.22 million, with a P/E ratio of 15.43. Recent news highlights the completion of its acquisition by a consortium led by Robert A. Ortenzio and Martin F. for $16.50 per share, finalized on June 30, 2026.
The acquisition at $16.50 per share, slightly below the current price, represents a key near-term catalyst but is under legal scrutiny for potential fiduciary breaches. Analyst sentiment is cautious with a 'Hold' consensus. Risks include integration challenges post-acquisition and margin pressures, with net profit margin declining to 2.41% in 2026. The stock offers limited upside from current levels given the acquisition price cap.
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 →Select Medical Holdings Corporation is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States. The company's services focus on treating patients with serious illnesses, injuries, and post-acute care needs. SEM provides specialized care across various settings, aiming to help patients recover and return home.
Read more on SEM →