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).

Compare

Total return — ECL vs JCI

growth of $100 · last 30y
ECL +3334.7%JCI +1812.5%ECL compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,435$1,912
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 10

It 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

MetricECLJCI
P/E ratio38.3425.18
Forward P/E34.1828.79
P/S ratio4.893.53
P/B ratio8.046.38
PEG ratio7.399.58
EV / EBITDA24.9123.09
FCF yield2.33%1.62%

Profitability

MetricECLJCI
Gross margin44.29%36.56%
Operating margin17.49%13.57%
Net margin12.80%14.45%
ROE21.05%26.12%
ROIC11.95%8.68%

Dividends

MetricECLJCI
Dividend yield1.03%1.14%
Payout ratio39.84%60.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricECLJCI
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.

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.