Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Johnson Controls International plc (JCI)
JCI leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Johnson Controls International plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 3, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
$283.36Basic Materials
JCI
Johnson Controls International plc
$140.76Basic Materials
Total return — ECL vs JCI
growth of $100 · last 30yECL +3334.7%JCI +1812.5%ECL compounded faster
ECL JCI
ECL vs JCI: by the numbers
- •JCI is the larger company ($85.88B vs $79.75B market cap).
- •JCI trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.18 vs 38.34 P/E).
- •JCI converts more revenue to profit (14.45% vs 12.80% net margin).
- •ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs 1.91% CAGR).
- •JCI pays the higher dividend yield (1.14% vs 1.03%).
Which is better, ECL or JCI?
Metric tally: ECL 7 · JCI 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueJCI(lower P/E)
GrowthECL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeJCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | JCI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 38.34 | 25.18● |
| Forward P/E | 34.18 | 28.79● |
| P/S ratio | 4.89 | 3.53● |
| P/B ratio | 8.04 | 6.38● |
| PEG ratio | 7.39● | 9.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 24.91 | 23.09● |
| FCF yield | 2.33%● | 1.62% |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | JCI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.29%● | 36.56% |
| Operating margin | 17.49%● | 13.57% |
| Net margin | 12.80% | 14.45%● |
| ROE | 21.05% | 26.12%● |
| ROIC | 11.95%● | 8.68% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | JCI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 1.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 39.84% | 60.61% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | JCI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.14%● | 1.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | 25.74%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.68%● | -10.97% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.28% | 17.60%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ECL or JCI?
- It depends on your goal. value: JCI (lower P/E); growth: ECL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: JCI (higher dividend yield); quality: ECL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, JCI leads 10 to 7.
- Is ECL or JCI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, JCI is cheaper: ECL trades at a 38.34 P/E and JCI at 25.18.
- Which has grown faster, ECL or JCI?
- Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — ECL at a 7.14% CAGR versus JCI at 1.91%.
- Does ECL or JCI pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.03% and JCI yields 1.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or JCI more profitable?
- JCI runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.80% versus JCI at 14.45%.
- Which has been the better investment, ECL or JCI?
- Over the past 10-year, JCI delivered the higher annualized total return — ECL at 10.27% versus JCI at 16.03%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioJohnson Controls International P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldJohnson Controls International dividend yieldEcolab ROEJohnson Controls International ROEEcolab operating marginJohnson Controls International operating marginEcolab revenue growthJohnson Controls International revenue growthEcolab free cash flowJohnson Controls International free cash flow
Ecolab & Johnson Controls International 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 3, 2026.