Ecolab Inc. vs Upstart Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B), while Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $29.9 (market cap $2.94B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 27.1× Upstart Holdings Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | UPST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.73B | $2.94B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Financials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $73.76 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $24.22 |
Enterprise Value | $88.51B | — |
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.
Upstart (UPST) trades at $31.09, up 4.64% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue growth of 42% year-over-year and a return to GAAP profitability, with loan originations surging 50%. However, it has missed EPS expectations for three consecutive quarters. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $47.20, implying significant upside, but faces headwinds from high interest rates and competitive pressures.
The outlook is mixed: strong loan growth and AI-driven underwriting improvements offer growth potential, but recent earnings misses, a high P/E ratio of 59.79, and negative operating cash flow in 2025 pose risks. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with 45% of analysts rating it a Buy, though volatility from macroeconomic factors remains a key concern for shareholders.
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 →Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. The revenue of the company is primarily comprised of fees paid by banks.
Read more on UPST →