Ecolab Inc. vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $274.17 (market cap $76.06B), while VF Corp trades at $17.23 (market cap $6.76B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 11.3× VF Corp's market cap, and VF Corp pays the higher dividend (2.09%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | VFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $6.76B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $21.55 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $11.66 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $10.91B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 2.09% |
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.
VFC Corporation (VFC) trades at $16.67, down 1.24% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and mixed earnings performance. The company reported a net loss of $189.72M for 2025 despite revenue of $9.50B, though recent quarters Q3 and Q4 2025 beat EPS expectations. Analyst consensus is a 'Buy' with a $19.33 price target, representing a 16% potential upside, while technical indicators show resistance at $17 and support at $16.
The outlook suggests a turnaround opportunity as the company guides toward profitability in 2026 with projected net income of $255M. Key risks include ongoing brand challenges at Vans, high debt levels, and weak consumer confidence. The stock's current valuation at a P/E of 26.94 and P/S of 0.71 presents a value proposition if management successfully executes its recovery plan.
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 →VF designs, produces, and distributes branded apparel and accessories. Its largest apparel categories include action sports, outdoor, and workwear. Its portfolio of about a dozen brands includes Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Supreme, and Dickies. VF markets its products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through wholesale sales to retailers, e-commerce, and branded stores owned by the company and partners. The company has grown through multiple acquisitions and traces its roots to 1899.
Read more on VFC →