Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX)

FCX leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ECL vs FCX

growth of $100 · last 30y
ECL +3105.4%FCX +343.1%ECL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,205$443
ECL FCX

ECL vs FCX: by the numbers

  • FCX is the larger company ($98.34B vs $74.70B market cap).
  • ECL trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.91 vs 36.20 P/E).
  • ECL converts more revenue to profit (12.80% vs 10.34% net margin).
  • FCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 7.14% CAGR).
  • ECL pays the higher dividend yield (1.04% vs 0.88%).

Which is better, ECL or FCX?

Metric tally: ECL 5 · FCX 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeECL(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricECLFCX
P/E ratio35.9136.20
Forward P/E31.9317.76
P/S ratio4.583.74
P/B ratio7.535.06
PEG ratio6.921.98
EV / EBITDA25.5510.96
FCF yield2.48%6.32%

Profitability

MetricECLFCX
Gross margin44.29%27.80%
Operating margin17.49%27.77%
Net margin12.80%10.34%
ROE21.05%14.01%
ROIC11.95%7.77%

Dividends

MetricECLFCX
Dividend yield1.04%0.88%
Payout ratio37.65%39.22%

Growth (annualized)

MetricECLFCX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.14%11.28%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.19%30.14%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.68%20.99%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.50%12.39%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ECL or FCX?
It depends on your goal. growth: FCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ECL (higher dividend yield); quality: ECL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FCX leads 11 to 5.
Is ECL or FCX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ECL is cheaper: ECL trades at a 35.91 P/E and FCX at 36.20.
Which has grown faster, ECL or FCX?
Over the past five years, FCX grew revenue faster — ECL at a 7.14% CAGR versus FCX at 11.28%.
Does ECL or FCX pay a bigger dividend?
ECL yields 1.04% and FCX yields 0.88% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ECL or FCX more profitable?
ECL runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.80% versus FCX at 10.34%.
Which has been the better investment, ECL or FCX?
Over the past 10-year, FCX delivered the higher annualized total return — ECL at 9.42% versus FCX at 22.00%. 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 13, 2026.