Ecolab Inc. vs Unilever plc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $281.36 (market cap $77.96B), while Unilever plc trades at $62.2 (market cap $132.07B). The key difference: Unilever plc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.48%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Ecolab Inc. for 90 Days and Unilever plc for 112 Days on average.
| ECL | UL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $77.96B | $132.07B |
Volume | 1,145,536 | 2,873,862 |
Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $74.59 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $55.05 |
Typical Hold Time | 90 Days | 112 Days |
Enterprise Value | $86.74B | $157.21B |
Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 3.48% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Ecolab (ECL) trades at $281.69, up 0.31% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $326.38. The company reported revenue of $16.08B in 2025 with a net income margin of 12.57%, and recent earnings have mostly met or exceeded expectations. Strong institutional buying and insider purchases, alongside positive news coverage highlighting its dividend growth and essential business model, support a constructive outlook.
The stock presents a favorable risk-reward profile given its steady revenue growth, high profitability, and analyst optimism, though elevated valuation ratios and increased debt from the CoolIT acquisition pose risks. The upcoming Q3 2026 earnings report on October 27, 2026, will be a key catalyst for near-term price direction.
Unilever (UL) trades at $61.94, up 1.88% today, amid bearish technical signals and mixed earnings performance. The stock shows strong profitability with 18.32% net margins and 54.56% ROE, though recent quarters saw EPS misses. Cash flow turned negative in 2025 at -$2.08B due to increased investing activity. The company is restructuring its portfolio, including the planned $65B food business merger with McCormick, while facing regulatory scrutiny in the UK.
Outlook remains cautious with analyst consensus divided (24% Buy, 51% Hold) and technical indicators bearish. Investment appeal lies in emerging market exposure and dividend stability, but risks include integration challenges from the McCormick deal, competitive pressures, and inconsistent earnings delivery. Valuation at 21.32 P/E appears reasonable given margins but requires execution improvement.
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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 →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 →