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.
CRH
CRH plc
$101.29Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Aug 11, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
$284.60Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Aug 11, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — CRH vs ECL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCRH +298.8% (+14.8%/yr)ECL +158.3% (+10.0%/yr)CRH compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | CRH | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 15.82 | 38.17 |
| Forward P/E | 16.95 | 34.87 |
| P/S ratio | 1.16 | 4.78 |
| P/B ratio | 2.80 | 8.00 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.40 | 22.75 |
| FCF yield | 2.30% | 2.45% |
Profitability
| Metric | CRH | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 35.79% | 44.11% |
| Operating margin | 13.48% | 17.37% |
| Net margin | 9.35% | 12.57% |
| ROE | 22.54% | 21.05% |
| ROIC | 8.16% | 11.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | CRH | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.51% | 1.00% |
| Payout ratio | 27.44% | 38.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CRH | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CRH P/E ratioEcolab P/E ratioCRH dividend yieldEcolab dividend yieldCRH ROEEcolab ROECRH operating marginEcolab operating marginCRH revenue growthEcolab revenue growthCRH free cash flowEcolab free cash flow
CRH & Ecolab appear in these rankings
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.