Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Ecolab Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAPD vs ECL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
APD +174.1% (+10.6%/yr)ECL +151.6% (+9.7%/yr)APD compounded faster over this window
100150200250300Start $10020182020202220242026$274$252
APD ECL

APD vs ECL: by the numbers

  • ECL is the larger company ($77.73B vs $64.90B market cap).
  • ECL is profitable (12.57% net margin) while APD runs a net loss (-0.38%).
  • ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.78% vs 5.15% CAGR).
  • APD pays the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 1.03%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPDECL
P/E ratioN/A37.07
Forward P/E21.6833.87
P/S ratio5.154.61
P/B ratio4.677.73
EV / EBITDA86.3223.64
FCF yieldN/A2.41%

Profitability

MetricAPDECL
Gross margin32.06%44.11%
Operating margin-4.71%17.37%
Net margin-0.38%12.57%
ROE-0.34%21.05%
ROIC-1.61%9.42%

Dividends

MetricAPDECL
Dividend yield2.47%1.03%
Payout ratioN/A38.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDECL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.15%6.78%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A5.19%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A5.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.27%5.26%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, APD or ECL?
Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — APD at a 5.15% CAGR versus ECL at 6.78%.
Does APD or ECL pay a bigger dividend?
APD yields 2.47% and ECL yields 1.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APD or ECL more profitable?
ECL runs the higher net margin — APD at -0.38% versus ECL at 12.57%.
How have APD and ECL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, APD delivered 10.25% and ECL delivered 10.00% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.