Ecolab (ECL) vs Kenvue (KVUE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Kenvue (KVUE) has outperformed Ecolab (ECL) over the past year, gaining 10.3% versus a loss of 0.3%. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($78.97 billion vs $34.06 billion), about 2.3 times the size. On valuation, Kenvue trades at a lower forward P/E (14.3x vs 29.9x for Ecolab).
Kenvue offers the higher dividend yield (4.68% vs 1.01%). Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 9.7%.
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 | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $281.69 | $17.73 |
| Market cap | $78.97B | $34.06B |
| 1-day change | +1.29% | +1.14% |
| YTD return | +5.93% | +2.78% |
| 1-year return | -0.32% | +10.26% |
| 5-year return | +27.92% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.81 | 20.62 |
| Forward P/E | 29.95 | 14.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $0.86 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 4.68% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $0.83 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $15.12B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | -2.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $1.47B |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 58.13% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | 15.96% |
| Net margin | 12.91% | 9.72% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $20.13 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $14.02 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.92% | -11.92% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.39% | +9.98% |
| Average volume | 1.27M | 21.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 1.92B |
| Employees | 48,000 | 21,780 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | 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 2.3 times larger than Kenvue by market value ($78.97B vs $34.06B).
- KVUE has outperformed ECL by 10.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Ecolab trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.8x vs 20.6x trailing P/E).
- Kenvue offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.68% vs 1.01%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ecolab in Basic Materials and Kenvue in Consumer Discretionary.
About Ecolab
ECL stock →Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally.
Basic Materials · Specialty Chemicals · 48,000 employees
About Kenvue
KVUE stock →Kenvue Inc. operates as a consumer health company in the United States, rest of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 21,780 employees
ECL vs KVUE FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Kenvue?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $78.97B compared with $34.06B for Kenvue (KVUE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or KVUE?
KVUE returned +10.26% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.32% for ECL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or KVUE?
KVUE has the lower trailing P/E at 20.6, 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 Kenvue?
Kenvue has the higher yield at 4.68%, compared with 1.01% for Ecolab.
Are Ecolab and Kenvue in the same industry?
No. Ecolab is in the Basic Materials sector, while Kenvue is in Consumer Discretionary.