Ecolab Inc. vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $273.3 (market cap $76.06B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $229.37 (market cap $26.24B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 2.9× Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s market cap, and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.36%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.06B | $26.24B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $240.06 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $165.01 |
Enterprise Value | $84.81B | $27.08B |
Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 1.36% |
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.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $220.34, up 1.7% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company demonstrates strong profitability with a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE, though revenue has been volatile. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company maintains active brand collaborations and dividend payments.
The outlook is mixed; strong fundamentals and earnings beats support upside, but high valuation multiples and competitive pressures pose risks. Analyst consensus is a Hold with a $215.22 price target slightly below current levels, indicating cautious optimism tempered by valuation concerns.
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 →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →