Compare Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ecolab Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.84 (market cap $76.06B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $241.89 (market cap $93.49B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.52%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $93.49B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $116.22B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 1.52% |
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.
WM trades at $242.56, up 3.54% today and near its 52-week high, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported $25.20B revenue in 2025, with a net income margin of 10.99%, though recent quarters show mixed EPS performance. Strong cash flow from operations of $6.04B supports dividend payments, including a recent $0.95 per share distribution.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $264.17, reflecting analyst confidence in WM's pricing power and renewable energy initiatives. Key risks include elevated debt levels and potential economic sensitivity. The stock offers stability with growth potential, but investors should monitor execution against earnings expectations.
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 Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →
