Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Unilever plc (UL) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Unilever plc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.88 (market cap $76.06B), while Unilever plc trades at $62.63 (market cap $129.57B). The key difference: Unilever plc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | UL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $129.57B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $74.59 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $55.05 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $155.02B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 3.71% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Unilever (UL) trades at $62.49, up 2.71% with a bullish technical signal. Recent earnings misses contrast with strong profitability margins and a 53.32% ROE. The company is divesting its food business to McCormick and investing in innovation, while maintaining a $0.54 dividend. Cash flow improved to $1.91B net in 2024 after a volatile period.
Outlook remains mixed: valuation appears fair with a P/E of 20.83, but revenue declines and execution risks on strategic deals pose challenges. Analyst sentiment is cautious with only 24% buy ratings. The stock offers stability through dividends but faces headwinds in sales growth and competitive pressures.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Ecolab Inc.
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 →About Unilever plc
Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →
