Ecolab (ECL) vs Unilever (UL)
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 Unilever (UL) over the past year, losing 0.3% versus a loss of 7.6%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +26.3% price change compared with +2.2% for UL. Unilever is the larger company by market cap ($131.32 billion vs $77.96 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Unilever trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 29.5x for Ecolab). Unilever offers the higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 1.02%).
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 | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.10 | $60.98 |
| Market cap | $77.96B | $131.32B |
| 1-day change | -0.97% | +0.30% |
| YTD return | +5.93% | -6.76% |
| 1-year return | -0.32% | -7.61% |
| 5-year return | +26.29% | +2.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.33 | 12.32 |
| Forward P/E | 29.54 | 15.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $4.95 |
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 3.09% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | — |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | — |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | — |
| Net margin | 12.91% | — |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $74.98 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $54.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.08% | -18.67% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.88% | +17.07% |
| Average volume | 1.27M | 3.91M |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 2.15B |
| Employees | 48,000 | 93,731 |
| 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 trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.3x vs 12.3x trailing P/E).
- Unilever offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 1.02%).
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 Unilever
UL stock →Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through four segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 93,731 employees
ECL vs UL FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Unilever?
Unilever (UL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $131.32B compared with $77.96B for Ecolab (ECL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or UL?
ECL returned -0.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.61% for UL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECL or UL?
UL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.3, 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 Unilever?
Unilever has the higher yield at 3.09%, compared with 1.02% for Ecolab.
Are Ecolab and Unilever in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.