CRH plc (CRH) vs Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

A side-by-side comparison of CRH plc and Ecolab Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCRH vs ECL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CRH +298.8% (+14.8%/yr)ECL +158.3% (+10.0%/yr)CRH compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$399$258
CRH ECL

CRH vs ECL: by the numbers

  • ECL is the larger company ($80.10B vs $67.68B market cap).
  • CRH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (15.82 vs 38.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ECL converts more revenue to profit (12.57% vs 9.35% net margin).
  • ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.78% vs 3.71% CAGR).
  • CRH pays the higher dividend yield (1.51% vs 1.00%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCRHECL
P/E ratio15.8238.17
Forward P/E16.9534.87
P/S ratio1.164.78
P/B ratio2.808.00
EV / EBITDA7.4022.75
FCF yield2.30%2.45%

Profitability

MetricCRHECL
Gross margin35.79%44.11%
Operating margin13.48%17.37%
Net margin9.35%12.57%
ROE22.54%21.05%
ROIC8.16%11.95%

Dividends

MetricCRHECL
Dividend yield1.51%1.00%
Payout ratio27.44%38.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCRHECL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.71%6.78%
EPS CAGR (5Y)31.11%5.19%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.69%6.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.35%6.53%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CRH or ECL?
CRH has the lower trailing P/E: CRH trades at 15.82 and ECL at 38.17. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CRH or ECL?
Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — CRH at a 3.71% CAGR versus ECL at 6.78%.
Does CRH or ECL pay a bigger dividend?
CRH yields 1.51% and ECL yields 1.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CRH or ECL more profitable?
ECL runs the higher net margin — CRH at 9.35% versus ECL at 12.57%.
How have CRH and ECL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CRH delivered 15.39% and ECL delivered 9.94% 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 August 11, 2026.