Ecolab (ECL) vs e.l.f. Beauty (ELF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ecolab (ECL) has outperformed e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) over the past year, losing 0.3% versus a loss of 25.3%. Over five years, ELF leads with a +260.7% price change compared with +26.3% for ECL. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($77.96 billion vs $6.20 billion), about 12.6 times the size, while e.l.f. Beauty is growing revenue faster (+24.6% vs +2.2%).
On valuation, e.l.f. Beauty trades at a lower forward P/E (27.2x vs 29.5x for Ecolab). Ecolab pays a dividend yielding 1.02%, while e.l.f. Beauty does not currently pay one. Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 1.6%.
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 | ECL | ELF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.10 | $105.03 |
| Market cap | $77.96B | $6.20B |
| 1-day change | -0.97% | +2.18% |
| YTD return | +5.93% | +38.12% |
| 1-year return | -0.32% | -25.30% |
| 5-year return | +26.29% | +260.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.33 | 107.17 |
| Forward P/E | 29.54 | 27.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $0.98 |
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $1.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | +24.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $26.32M |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 70.72% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | 4.50% |
| Net margin | 12.91% | 1.61% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $147.00 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $48.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.08% | -28.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.88% | -0.03% |
| Average volume | 1.28M | 1.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 59.01M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 849 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | 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 12.6 times larger than e.l.f. Beauty by market value ($77.96B vs $6.20B).
- ECL has outperformed ELF by 25.0 percentage points over the past year.
- e.l.f. Beauty trades at a higher earnings multiple (107.2x vs 37.3x trailing P/E).
- Ecolab offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.02% vs 0.00%).
- Ecolab is more profitable, keeping 12.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for e.l.f. Beauty.
- e.l.f. Beauty grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.59% vs +2.16%).
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
About e.l.f. Beauty
ELF stock →e.l.f. Beauty, Inc., a beauty company, provides cosmetics and skin care products worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 849 employees
ECL vs ELF FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or e.l.f. Beauty?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $77.96B compared with $6.20B for e.l.f. Beauty (ELF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or ELF?
ECL returned -0.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.30% for ELF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or ELF?
ECL has the lower trailing P/E at 37.3, versus 107.2 for ELF. 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, Ecolab or e.l.f. Beauty?
Ecolab pays a dividend yielding 1.02%, while e.l.f. Beauty does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ecolab and e.l.f. Beauty in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.