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 30yECL +3105.4%FCX +343.1%ECL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeECL(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.91 | 36.20 |
| Forward P/E | 31.93 | 17.76● |
| P/S ratio | 4.58 | 3.74● |
| P/B ratio | 7.53 | 5.06● |
| PEG ratio | 6.92 | 1.98● |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.55 | 10.96● |
| FCF yield | 2.48% | 6.32%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.29%● | 27.80% |
| Operating margin | 17.49% | 27.77%● |
| Net margin | 12.80%● | 10.34% |
| ROE | 21.05%● | 14.01% |
| ROIC | 11.95%● | 7.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.04%● | 0.88% |
| Payout ratio | 37.65% | 39.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioFreeport-McMoRan P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldFreeport-McMoRan dividend yieldEcolab ROEFreeport-McMoRan ROEEcolab operating marginFreeport-McMoRan operating marginEcolab revenue growthFreeport-McMoRan revenue growthEcolab free cash flowFreeport-McMoRan free cash flow
Ecolab & Freeport-McMoRan 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 June 13, 2026.