Dow Inc. (DOW) vs Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

ECL leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Dow Inc. and Ecolab Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DOW vs ECL

growth of $100 · last 7y
DOW -33.7%ECL +53.4%ECL compounded faster
50100150Start $100202120232025$66$153
DOW ECL

DOW vs ECL: by the numbers

  • ECL is the larger company ($75.59B vs $23.81B market cap).
  • ECL is profitable (12.80% net margin) while DOW runs a net loss (-7.02%).
  • ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs -0.66% CAGR).
  • DOW pays the higher dividend yield (4.14% vs 1.03%).

Which is better, DOW or ECL?

Metric tally: DOW 4 · ECL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthECL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDOW(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDOWECL
P/E ratio36.34
Forward P/E10.5632.31
P/S ratio0.624.63
P/B ratio1.607.62
PEG ratio7.00
EV / EBITDA47.5425.87
FCF yield2.45%

Profitability

MetricDOWECL
Gross margin6.16%44.29%
Operating margin-2.31%17.49%
Net margin-7.02%12.80%
ROE-18.11%21.05%
ROIC0.51%11.95%

Dividends

MetricDOWECL
Dividend yield4.14%1.03%
Payout ratio37.65%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDOWECL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.66%7.14%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-20.06%5.19%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-24.60%6.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-8.41%5.67%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DOW or ECL?
It depends on your goal. growth: ECL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DOW (higher dividend yield); quality: ECL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ECL leads 10 to 4.
Which has grown faster, DOW or ECL?
Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — DOW at a -0.66% CAGR versus ECL at 7.14%.
Does DOW or ECL pay a bigger dividend?
DOW yields 4.14% and ECL yields 1.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DOW or ECL more profitable?
ECL runs the higher net margin — DOW at -7.02% versus ECL at 12.80%.
Which has been the better investment, DOW or ECL?
Over the past 5-year, ECL delivered the higher annualized total return — DOW at -8.41% versus ECL at 9.71%. 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 June 15, 2026.