Ecolab Competitors

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) and The Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW) are both large-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, dividends, profitability and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Ecolab and The Sherwin-Williams' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Risk and Volatility

Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, The Sherwin-Williams has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 76.5% of The Sherwin-Williams shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of The Sherwin-Williams shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. The Sherwin-Williams pays an annual dividend of $2.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. The Sherwin-Williams pays out 10.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years. Ecolab is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Ecolab and The Sherwin-Williams' revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Ecolab has higher earnings, but lower revenue than The Sherwin-Williams. The Sherwin-Williams is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Ecolab and The Sherwin-Williams, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Ecolab presently has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. The Sherwin-Williams has a consensus price target of $309.9412, indicating a potential upside of 8.34%. Given The Sherwin-Williams' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe The Sherwin-Williams is more favorable than Ecolab.

Summary

The Sherwin-Williams beats Ecolab on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) and International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) are both large-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, dividends, profitability and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Ecolab and International Flavors & Fragrances' net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Risk and Volatility

Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, International Flavors & Fragrances has a beta of 0.97, indicating that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.4% of International Flavors & Fragrances shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of International Flavors & Fragrances shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. International Flavors & Fragrances pays an annual dividend of $3.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. International Flavors & Fragrances pays out 49.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years and International Flavors & Fragrances has increased its dividend for 11 consecutive years.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Ecolab and International Flavors & Fragrances' revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Ecolab has higher revenue and earnings than International Flavors & Fragrances. International Flavors & Fragrances is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Ecolab and International Flavors & Fragrances, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Ecolab presently has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. International Flavors & Fragrances has a consensus price target of $147.5385, indicating a potential upside of 4.48%. Given International Flavors & Fragrances' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe International Flavors & Fragrances is more favorable than Ecolab.

Summary

International Flavors & Fragrances beats Ecolab on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) and Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) are both large-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, dividends, profitability and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Albemarle pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Albemarle pays out 25.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years and Albemarle has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years. Albemarle is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Ecolab and Albemarle, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Ecolab presently has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. Albemarle has a consensus price target of $142.1429, indicating a potential downside of 13.23%. Given Ecolab's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Ecolab is more favorable than Albemarle.

Risk and Volatility

Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Albemarle has a beta of 1.59, indicating that its stock price is 59% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Ecolab and Albemarle's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Ecolab and Albemarle's revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Ecolab has higher revenue and earnings than Albemarle. Albemarle is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.4% of Albemarle shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Albemarle shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Albemarle beats Ecolab on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Celanese (NYSE:CE) and Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) are both large-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Celanese pays an annual dividend of $2.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Celanese pays out 28.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Celanese has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years. Celanese is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Celanese and Ecolab, as provided by MarketBeat.

Celanese presently has a consensus price target of $156.6667, indicating a potential downside of 6.29%. Ecolab has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. Given Ecolab's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Ecolab is more favorable than Celanese.

Volatility and Risk

Celanese has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its share price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Celanese and Ecolab's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Celanese and Ecolab's top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Ecolab has higher revenue and earnings than Celanese. Celanese is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

97.5% of Celanese shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of Celanese shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Celanese beats Ecolab on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

RPM International (NYSE:RPM) and Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) are both large-cap construction companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

Dividends

RPM International pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. RPM International pays out 49.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. RPM International has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years and Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for RPM International and Ecolab, as provided by MarketBeat.

RPM International presently has a consensus price target of $96.8750, indicating a potential downside of 0.11%. Ecolab has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. Given Ecolab's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Ecolab is more favorable than RPM International.

Volatility and Risk

RPM International has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares RPM International and Ecolab's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares RPM International and Ecolab's top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Ecolab has higher revenue and earnings than RPM International. RPM International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

74.7% of RPM International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. 1.6% of RPM International shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Ashland Global (NYSE:ASH) and Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Ashland Global and Ecolab's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Ashland Global and Ecolab's top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Ecolab has higher revenue and earnings than Ashland Global. Ashland Global is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecolab, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility and Risk

Ashland Global has a beta of 1.35, meaning that its share price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ecolab has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Ashland Global pays an annual dividend of $1.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Ecolab pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Ashland Global pays out 39.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ecolab pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Ashland Global has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Ecolab has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Ashland Global and Ecolab, as provided by MarketBeat.

Ashland Global presently has a consensus price target of $92.4444, indicating a potential upside of 3.80%. Ecolab has a consensus price target of $228.70, indicating a potential upside of 2.07%. Given Ashland Global's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Ashland Global is more favorable than Ecolab.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

91.9% of Ashland Global shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.6% of Ecolab shares are held by institutional investors. 10.1% of Ashland Global shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Ecolab shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Ecolab beats Ashland Global on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.