ECL
Ecolab Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$74.40B
5Y Perf.+23.9%
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Stock Comparison
ECL vs SHW vs IFF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$79.82B
5Y Perf.+63.5%
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$21.18B
5Y Perf.-37.7%
ECL vs SHW vs IFF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ECL | SHW | IFF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $74.40B | $79.82B | $21.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $16.08B | $23.94B | $10.79B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.08B | $2.60B | $839M |
| Gross Margin | 44.5% | 49.1% | 35.1% |
| Operating Margin | 17.7% | 16.1% | 8.0% |
| Forward P/E | 31.5x | 27.6x | 18.9x |
| Total Debt | $9.43B | $14.53B | $6.65B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $646M | $207M | $590M |
ECL vs SHW vs IFF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ECL
SHW
IFF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecolab Inc. (ECL) | 100 | 123.9 | +23.9% |
| The Sherwin-William… (SHW) | 100 | 163.5 | +63.5% |
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 62.3 | -37.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ECL vs SHW vs IFF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ECL leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. The Sherwin-Williams Company is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
The Income Pick
ECL has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 0.63, yield 1.0%
- Rev growth 2.2%, EPS growth -1.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.63, Low D/E 96.2%, current ratio 1.08x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
The Long-Run Compounder
SHW is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 255.1% 10Y total return vs ECL's 142.1%
- 1.0% yield, 37-year raise streak, vs IFF's 1.9%
- 10.0% ROA vs IFF's 3.3%, ROIC 16.5% vs 3.5%
Best for: long-term compounding
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Defensive Pick
IFF is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 0.68, yield 1.9%, current ratio 1.42x
- Lower P/E (18.9x vs 31.5x)
- +6.7% vs SHW's -7.3%
Best for: defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ECL | 2.2% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | IFF | Lower P/E (18.9x vs 31.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | ECL | 12.9% margin vs IFF's 7.8% |
| Stability / Safety | ECL | Beta 0.63 vs SHW's 0.79, lower leverage |
| Dividends | SHW | 1.0% yield, 37-year raise streak, vs IFF's 1.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | IFF | +6.7% vs SHW's -7.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SHW | 10.0% ROA vs IFF's 3.3%, ROIC 16.5% vs 3.5% |
ECL vs SHW vs IFF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
ECL vs SHW vs IFF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 3 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSHWLAGGINGIFF
IFFInternational Flavors…
1leads
ECLEcolab Inc.
1leads
SHWThe Sherwin-Williams …
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ECLvs IFFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SHW3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IFF5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SHW5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ECL3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHW leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHW is the larger business by revenue, generating $23.9B annually — 2.2x IFF's $10.8B. ECL is the more profitable business, keeping 12.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IFF's 7.8%. On growth, SHW holds the edge at +6.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $16.1B | $23.9B | $10.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.5B | $4.5B | $1.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.1B | $2.6B | $839M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.9B | $2.9B | $400M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.5% | +49.1% | +35.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +17.7% | +16.1% | +8.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.9% | +10.9% | +7.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.8% | +12.1% | +3.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.8% | +6.8% | -3.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +19.3% | +7.5% | +116.6% |
SHW leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 31.5x trailing earnings, SHW trades at a 13% valuation discount to ECL's 36.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, IFF's 13.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ECL's 23.2x.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $74.4B | $79.8B | $21.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $83.2B | $94.1B | $27.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 36.18x | 31.51x | -56.80x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 31.46x | 27.56x | 18.90x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.55x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 23.20x | 21.43x | 13.89x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.63x | 3.39x | 1.95x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.66x | 17.51x | 1.50x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 39.07x | 30.07x | 82.75x |
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHW delivers a 58.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $58 in annual profit, vs $6 for IFF. IFF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SHW's 3.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SHW scores 6/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +22.0% | +58.2% | +5.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.8% | +10.0% | +3.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +12.7% | +16.5% | +3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +15.8% | +21.3% | +4.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.96x | 3.16x | 0.47x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.8B | $14.3B | $6.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $646M | $207M | $590M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9.4B | $14.5B | $6.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 9.82x | 7.83x | 5.26x |
SHW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ECL leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ECL five years ago would be worth $12,030 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,506 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, IFF leads with a +6.7% total return vs SHW's -7.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ECL at 16.2% vs IFF's -2.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.6% | -1.0% | +22.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.4% | -7.3% | +6.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.7% | +43.9% | -8.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.3% | +18.1% | -34.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +142.1% | +255.1% | -7.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.2% | +12.9% | -2.9% |
ECL leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ECL and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ECL is the less volatile stock with a 0.63 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHW's 0.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IFF currently trades 98.5% from its 52-week high vs ECL's 85.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.63x | 0.79x | 0.68x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $309.27 | $379.65 | $84.19 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $249.04 | $301.58 | $59.14 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.2% | +85.2% | +98.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 38.4 | 37.8 | 47.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.4M | 1.6M | 1.6M |
Evenly matched — ECL and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SHW and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ECL as "Buy", SHW as "Buy", IFF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 24.2% upside for ECL (target: $327) vs 5.8% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, IFF offers the higher dividend yield at 1.93% vs SHW's 0.98%.
| Metric | ECLEcolab Inc. | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $327.11 | $389.43 | $87.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 37 | 38 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.0% | +1.0% | +1.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 37 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.64 | $3.17 | $1.60 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.1% | 0.0% | +0.2% |
Evenly matched — SHW and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
SHW leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IFF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallThe Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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ECL vs SHW vs IFF: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ECL or SHW or IFF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is the stronger pick with 2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) offers the better valuation at 31. 5x trailing P/E (27. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ecolab Inc. (ECL) a "Buy" — based on 37 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ECL or SHW or IFF?
On trailing P/E, The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is the cheapest at 31.
5x versus Ecolab Inc. at 36. 2x. On forward P/E, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ECL or SHW or IFF?
Over the past 5 years, Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) delivered a total return of +20. 3%, compared to -34. 9% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHW returned +255. 1% versus IFF's -7. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ECL or SHW or IFF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 63β versus The Sherwin-Williams Company's 0. 79β — meaning SHW is approximately 27% more volatile than ECL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 3% for The Sherwin-Williams Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ECL or SHW or IFF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is pulling ahead at 2. 2% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ecolab Inc. grew EPS -1. 2% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ECL leads at 4. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ECL or SHW or IFF?
Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 9% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ECL leads at 18. 1% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SHW leads at 48. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ECL or SHW or IFF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) trades at 18. 9x forward P/E versus 31. 5x for Ecolab Inc. — 12. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ECL: 24. 2% to $327. 11.
08Which pays a better dividend — ECL or SHW or IFF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) offers the highest yield at 1. 9%, versus 1. 0% for The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW).
09Is ECL or SHW or IFF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 63), 1. 0% yield, +142. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ECL: +142. 1%, IFF: -7. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ECL and SHW and IFF?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(ECL: 4.8% · SHW: 6.8%)Net Margin>
%
(ECL: 12.9% · SHW: 10.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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