Clorox (CLX) vs Ecolab (ECL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ecolab (ECL) has outperformed Clorox (CLX) over the past year, gaining 0.1% versus a loss of 30.2%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +27.9% price change compared with -48.9% for CLX. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($78.97 billion vs $10.09 billion), about 7.8 times the size.
On valuation, Clorox trades at a lower forward P/E (13.4x vs 29.9x for Ecolab). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (5.96% vs 1.01%). Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 11.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CLX | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $83.44 | $281.69 |
| Market cap | $10.09B | $78.97B |
| 1-day change | +1.50% | +1.29% |
| YTD return | -17.25% | +7.30% |
| 1-year return | -30.23% | +0.12% |
| 5-year return | -48.89% | +27.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.35 | 37.81 |
| Forward P/E | 13.44 | 29.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.81 | $7.45 |
| Dividend yield | 5.96% | 1.01% |
| Annual dividend | $4.97 | $2.84 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.10B | $16.08B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.16% | +2.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $810.00M | $2.08B |
| Gross margin | 45.23% | 44.46% |
| Operating margin | — | 17.02% |
| Net margin | 11.40% | 12.91% |
| 52-week high | $128.90 | $309.27 |
| 52-week low | $79.12 | $243.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.27% | -8.92% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.36% | +15.39% |
| Average volume | 2.90M | 1.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 120.93M | 280.33M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 48,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | Package Goods/Cosmetics |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ecolab is about 7.8 times larger than Clorox by market value ($78.97B vs $10.09B).
- ECL has outperformed CLX by 30.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Ecolab trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.8x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Clorox offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.96% vs 1.01%).
About Clorox
CLX stock →The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International.
Consumer Discretionary · Specialty Chemicals · 9,200 employees
About Ecolab
ECL stock →Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 48,000 employees
CLX vs ECL FAQ
Which is bigger, Clorox or Ecolab?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $78.97B compared with $10.09B for Clorox (CLX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CLX or ECL?
ECL returned +0.12% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.23% for CLX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CLX or ECL?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 37.8 for ECL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Clorox or Ecolab?
Clorox has the higher yield at 5.96%, compared with 1.01% for Ecolab.
Are Clorox and Ecolab in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Specialty Chemicals for Clorox and Package Goods/Cosmetics for Ecolab.