Ecolab Inc. vs Tidewater Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Tidewater Inc trades at $91.5 (market cap $4.46B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 17.9× Tidewater Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Tidewater Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | TDW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $4.46B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Utilities |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $91.20 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $47.29 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | $4.50B |
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.
Tidewater (TDW) trades at $82.84, up 1.56% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong support at $81. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.43, beating estimates, but has missed expectations in recent quarters. Revenue for 2025 was $1.35B with a net income margin of 18.34%, though 2026 projections show a decline to $1.3B and lower margins. Analyst consensus is mixed with 26.92% buy ratings, while institutional holdings saw increases from First Trust Advisors and Bank of New York Mellon in 2026.
Outlook: TDW benefits from operational strength and bullish technicals, but earnings misses and margin compression pose risks. Investors should weigh solid cash flow against competitive and macroeconomic headwinds in the oil and gas sector.
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 →Tidewater is the leading global provider of offshore support vessels (OSVs) to the energy industry. With the world's largest fleet of platform supply vessels (PSVs) and anchor handling tugs (AHTS), it provides critical logistics and marine support for offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy projects. Following a period of massive strategic consolidation, Tidewater is now focused on maximizing day rates and free cash flow in a supply-constrained market, positioning itself as a primary beneficiary of the multi-year offshore upcycle.
Read more on TDW →