Ecolab (ECL) vs Eastman Chemical (EMN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Eastman Chemical (EMN) has outperformed Ecolab (ECL) over the past year, gaining 2.3% versus a gain of 0.1%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +27.9% price change compared with -40.6% for EMN. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($78.97 billion vs $7.29 billion), about 10.8 times the size.
On valuation, Eastman Chemical trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 29.9x for Ecolab). Eastman Chemical offers the higher dividend yield (5.25% vs 1.01%). Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 5.4%.
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 | ECL | EMN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $281.69 | $63.76 |
| Market cap | $78.97B | $7.29B |
| 1-day change | +1.29% | +0.81% |
| YTD return | +7.30% | -0.11% |
| 1-year return | +0.12% | +2.28% |
| 5-year return | +27.92% | -40.62% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.81 | 16.65 |
| Forward P/E | 29.95 | 9.39 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $3.83 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 5.25% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $3.35 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $8.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | -6.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $474.00M |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 21.07% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | — |
| Net margin | 12.91% | 5.42% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $83.47 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $56.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.92% | -23.61% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.39% | +25.36% |
| Average volume | 1.27M | 1.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 114.33M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 13,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Major Chemicals |
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 10.8 times larger than Eastman Chemical by market value ($78.97B vs $7.29B).
- Ecolab trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.8x vs 16.6x trailing P/E).
- Eastman Chemical offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.25% vs 1.01%).
- Ecolab is more profitable, keeping 12.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.4 cents for Eastman Chemical.
- Ecolab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.16% vs -6.71%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ecolab in Consumer Discretionary and Eastman Chemical in Industrials.
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 Eastman Chemical
EMN stock →Eastman Chemical Company operates as a specialty materials company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company's Additives & Functional Products segment offers amine derivative-based building blocks, intermediates for surfactants, metam-based soil fumigants, and organic acid-based solutions; specialty coalescent and solvents, paint additives, and specialty polymers; and heat transfer and aviation fluids.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 13,000 employees
ECL vs EMN FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Eastman Chemical?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $78.97B compared with $7.29B for Eastman Chemical (EMN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or EMN?
EMN returned +2.28% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.12% for ECL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or EMN?
EMN has the lower trailing P/E at 16.6, 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, Ecolab or Eastman Chemical?
Eastman Chemical has the higher yield at 5.25%, compared with 1.01% for Ecolab.
Are Ecolab and Eastman Chemical in the same industry?
No. Ecolab is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Eastman Chemical is in Industrials.