Ecolab (ECL) vs Sherwin-Williams (SHW)
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 Sherwin-Williams (SHW) over the past year, losing 0.3% versus a loss of 6.5%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +26.3% price change compared with +6.3% for SHW. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($77.96 billion vs $76.47 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Sherwin-Williams trades at a lower forward P/E (23.2x vs 29.5x for Ecolab). Ecolab offers the higher dividend yield (1.02% vs 1.01%). Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 10.9%.
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 | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.10 | $315.00 |
| Market cap | $77.96B | $76.47B |
| 1-day change | -0.97% | -1.92% |
| YTD return | +5.93% | -2.79% |
| 1-year return | -0.32% | -6.53% |
| 5-year return | +26.29% | +6.28% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.33 | 29.03 |
| Forward P/E | 29.54 | 23.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $10.85 |
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 1.01% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $3.18 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $23.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | +2.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $2.57B |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 48.85% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | — |
| Net margin | 12.91% | 10.90% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $377.77 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $289.86 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.08% | -16.62% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.88% | +22.63% |
| Average volume | 1.28M | 1.79M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 242.76M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 64,249 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | RETAIL: Building Materials |
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 trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.3x vs 29.0x trailing P/E).
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 Sherwin-Williams
SHW stock →The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers. The company operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.
Consumer Discretionary · RETAIL: Building Materials · 64,249 employees
ECL vs SHW FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Sherwin-Williams?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $77.96B compared with $76.47B for Sherwin-Williams (SHW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or SHW?
ECL returned -0.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.53% for SHW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or SHW?
SHW has the lower trailing P/E at 29.0, 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 Sherwin-Williams?
Ecolab has the higher yield at 1.02%, compared with 1.01% for Sherwin-Williams.
Are Ecolab and Sherwin-Williams in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Package Goods/Cosmetics for Ecolab and RETAIL: Building Materials for Sherwin-Williams.