Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $280.48 (market cap $79.79B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $404.45 (market cap $361.00B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 4.5× Ecolab Inc.'s market cap, and UnitedHealth Group Inc pays the higher dividend (2.31%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.79B | $361.00B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $436.35 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $259.02 |
Enterprise Value | $88.57B | $402.86B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 2.31% |
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 $284.4, down slightly (-0.27%) on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support (78% buy ratings). The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings of $2.09 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $16.08B, and profitability remains robust with a net income margin of 12.57%. Recent news highlights institutional activity and the completion of the $4.75B CoolIT acquisition, strengthening its high-tech portfolio.
The outlook is positive, driven by earnings momentum, strategic acquisitions, and a consensus price target of $327.90 implying ~15% upside. Key risks include execution of integration for recent acquisitions, input cost pressures, and broader market volatility. The stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth investors seeking exposure to a stable, dividend-paying company with digital and high-tech expansion drivers.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $408.74, showing modest daily gains of 0.41% amid a bearish technical signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamental performance with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters and robust analyst support (82.7% buy ratings). Recent developments include dividend payments and strategic initiatives to streamline pediatric care authorizations, positioning UNH well in the healthcare sector.
UNH presents a compelling investment case with strong cash flow generation and market leadership, though investors face risks from regulatory scrutiny and margin compression. The stock trades at a discount to analyst consensus target of $476.50, offering potential upside if operational improvements and growth initiatives materialize as projected.
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 UnitedHealth Group Inc
UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to 50 million members globally, including 5 million outside the U.S. at the end of 2021. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
Read more on UNH →
