Ecolab Inc. vs Xylem, Inc. — how do they compare? Ecolab Inc. trades at $280.53 (market cap $79.79B), while Xylem, Inc. trades at $122.06 (market cap $28.76B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 2.8× Xylem, Inc.'s market cap, and Xylem, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.4%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ECL | XYL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $79.79B | $28.76B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $308.35 | $152.95 |
52-Week Low | $245.73 | $106.34 |
Enterprise Value | $88.57B | $30.54B |
Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 1.4% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ECL trades at $281.17, down 1.14% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional interest. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.09, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance to $8.05-$8.25. Revenue growth remains steady at 5% organic, supported by pricing gains and volume increases. Valuation ratios are elevated with a P/E of 38.21, reflecting premium pricing for consistent performance.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $327.90, implying 16.6% upside. Risks include high valuation sensitivity and rising input costs. The stock offers growth potential from digital expansion and recent CoolIT acquisition, but investors should monitor margin pressures and debt levels.
XYL trades at $121.59, up 0.33% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong quarterly earnings beats. Revenue grew to $9.04B in 2025, with net income margin expanding to 10.59%. Recent acquisitions like Cornell Pump and Roper Pump aim to strengthen its industrial water technology presence, while AI-driven demand for water-treatment equipment supports growth.
The outlook is positive, with a consensus price target of $150.43 implying 24% upside, backed by margin expansion and strategic acquisitions. Risks include execution of integration and potential revenue delays from electric metering projects, as noted in Q2 2026 results. Analyst sentiment is mixed but leans bullish, with 47.5% buy ratings.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Xylem is a global leader in water technology and offers a wide range of solutions, including the transport, treatment, testing, and efficient use of water for customers in the utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Xylem was spun off from ITT in 2011. Based in Rye Brook, New York, Xylem has a presence in over 150 countries and employs 16,200. The company generated $6.2 billion in revenue and $611 million in adjusted operating income in 2021.
Read more on XYL →