Ecolab (ECL) vs Procter & Gamble (PG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ecolab (ECL) has outperformed Procter & Gamble (PG) over the past year, losing 0.3% versus a loss of 3.1%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +26.3% price change compared with +2.4% for PG. Procter & Gamble is the larger company by market cap ($343.34 billion vs $77.96 billion), about 4.4 times the size.
On valuation, Procter & Gamble trades at a lower forward P/E (20.0x vs 29.5x for Ecolab). Procter & Gamble offers the higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 1.02%). Procter & Gamble converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.4% versus 12.9%.
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 | PG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.10 | $147.82 |
| Market cap | $77.96B | $343.34B |
| 1-day change | -0.97% | -0.40% |
| YTD return | +5.93% | +3.15% |
| 1-year return | -0.32% | -3.09% |
| 5-year return | +26.29% | +2.35% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.33 | 22.43 |
| Forward P/E | 29.54 | 19.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $6.59 |
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 2.88% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $4.26 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $87.03B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | +3.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $16.05B |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 50.18% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | 22.69% |
| Net margin | 12.91% | 18.44% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $167.25 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $137.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.08% | -11.62% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.88% | +8.77% |
| Average volume | 1.28M | 8.60M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 2.32B |
| Employees | 48,000 | 104,000 |
| 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
- Procter & Gamble is about 4.4 times larger than Ecolab by market value ($343.34B vs $77.96B).
- Ecolab trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.3x vs 22.4x trailing P/E).
- Procter & Gamble offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 1.02%).
- Procter & Gamble is more profitable, keeping 18.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.9 cents for Ecolab.
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 Procter & Gamble
PG stock →The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 104,000 employees
ECL vs PG FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Procter & Gamble?
Procter & Gamble (PG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $343.34B compared with $77.96B for Ecolab (ECL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or PG?
ECL returned -0.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.09% for PG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or PG?
PG has the lower trailing P/E at 22.4, versus 37.3 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 Procter & Gamble?
Procter & Gamble has the higher yield at 2.88%, compared with 1.02% for Ecolab.
Are Ecolab and Procter & Gamble in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.