Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX)
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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
$282.90Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
FCX
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
$61.64Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ECL vs FCX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yECL +4999.7%FCX +688.2%ECL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
ECL FCX
ECL vs FCX: by the numbers
- •FCX is the larger company ($88.61B vs $79.62B market cap).
- •FCX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (30.75 vs 36.72 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FCX converts more revenue to profit (23.54% vs 12.80% net margin).
- •ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs 0.71% CAGR).
- •ECL pays the higher dividend yield (1.05% vs 0.96%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.72 | 30.75 |
| Forward P/E | 33.17 | 21.72 |
| P/S ratio | 4.68 | 4.80 |
| P/B ratio | 7.70 | 4.50 |
| PEG ratio | 7.08 | 1.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.96 | 9.65 |
| FCF yield | 2.43% | 6.52% |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.29% | 25.26% |
| Operating margin | 17.49% | 24.44% |
| Net margin | 12.80% | 23.54% |
| ROE | 21.05% | 22.05% |
| ROIC | 11.95% | 7.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.05% | 0.96% |
| Payout ratio | 38.74% | 39.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | FCX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.14% | 0.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | 30.14% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.68% | 6.01% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.37% | 12.62% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ECL or FCX?
- FCX has the lower trailing P/E: ECL trades at 36.72 and FCX at 30.75. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ECL or FCX?
- Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — ECL at a 7.14% CAGR versus FCX at 0.71%.
- Does ECL or FCX pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.05% and FCX yields 0.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or FCX more profitable?
- FCX runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.80% versus FCX at 23.54%.
- How have ECL and FCX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ECL delivered 9.76% and FCX delivered 18.20% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.