Ecolab (ECL) vs Westlake (WLK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ecolab (ECL) has outperformed Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 0.1% versus a loss of 24.4%. Over five years, ECL leads with a +27.9% price change compared with -36.5% for WLK. Ecolab is the larger company by market cap ($78.97 billion vs $7.96 billion), about 9.9 times the size.
On valuation, Westlake trades at a lower forward P/E (21.0x vs 29.9x for Ecolab). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 1.01%). Ecolab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus -13.5%.
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 | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $281.69 | $62.31 |
| Market cap | $78.97B | $7.96B |
| 1-day change | +1.29% | +1.28% |
| YTD return | +7.30% | -15.73% |
| 1-year return | +0.12% | -24.35% |
| 5-year return | +27.92% | -36.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.81 | — |
| Forward P/E | 29.95 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.45 | $-9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 3.40% |
| Annual dividend | $2.84 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.08B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.16% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.08B | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 44.46% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | 17.02% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | 12.91% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $309.27 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $243.15 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.92% | -49.84% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.39% | +37.43% |
| Average volume | 1.27M | 923.43K |
| Shares outstanding | 280.33M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 14,600 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | Specialty 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 9.9 times larger than Westlake by market value ($78.97B vs $7.96B).
- ECL has outperformed WLK by 24.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 1.01%).
- Ecolab is more profitable, keeping 12.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -13.5 cents for Westlake.
- Ecolab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.16% vs -8.01%).
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 Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Basic Materials · Specialty Chemicals · 14,600 employees
ECL vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecolab or Westlake?
Ecolab (ECL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $78.97B compared with $7.96B for Westlake (WLK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECL or WLK?
ECL returned +0.12% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.35% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ecolab or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.40%, compared with 1.01% for Ecolab.
Are Ecolab and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Basic Materials sector.