Ecolab Inc. vs Tractor Supply Co — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.02 (market cap $76.06B), while Tractor Supply Co trades at $30.83 (market cap $15.82B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 4.8× Tractor Supply Co's market cap, and Tractor Supply Co pays the higher dividend (3.18%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | TSCO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $15.82B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $62.65 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $29.14 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $22.01B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 3.18% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $269.75, down 0.77% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 2025 revenue of $16.08B and net income of $2.08B, though recent quarterly EPS results have been mixed. The company recently completed the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition to strengthen its AI cooling portfolio, positioning high-tech as a growth engine. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with a $327.43 price target, representing 21% upside potential from current levels.
The outlook is positive given strong analyst support and strategic acquisitions, but risks include execution of the CoolIT integration, rising cost pressures, and mixed quarterly earnings performance. The stock's premium valuation (P/E 36.57) requires sustained earnings growth to justify current levels, making upcoming Q2 2026 results on July 28 critical for near-term direction.
Tractor Supply (TSCO) trades at $30.55, up 1.03% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. Recent earnings missed expectations in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, though Q2 2026 results are pending. Revenue grew to $15.52B in 2025, with a net income margin of 6.91% and a P/E ratio of 14.86. The company announced a partnership with Instacart for delivery services and maintains a dividend, with the next payment scheduled for June 2026.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is a 'Buy' with a $39.14 price target, implying significant upside, but near-term headwinds include consumer pressure and recent earnings misses. Risks involve competitive retail dynamics and macroeconomic sensitivity. The stock's current valuation presents a potential opportunity if execution improves, but volatility may persist until earnings momentum recovers.
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 →Tractor Supply is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States. The company targets recreational farmers and ranchers and has little exposure to commercial and industrial farm operations. Currently, the company operates 2,016 of its namesake banners in 49 states and 178 Petsense stores. Stores are typically located in towns outside of urban areas and in rural communities. In fiscal 2021, revenue consisted primarily of livestock and pet (47%), hardware, tools, and truck (21%), and seasonal gift and toy (21%).
Read more on TSCO →