Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)
NTR leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Nutrien Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ECL vs NTR
growth of $100 · last 8yECL +104.2%NTR +17.4%ECL compounded faster
ECL NTR
ECL vs NTR: by the numbers
- •ECL is the larger company ($77.04B vs $30.93B market cap).
- •NTR trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.09 vs 37.06 P/E).
- •ECL converts more revenue to profit (12.80% vs 8.58% net margin).
- •ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.14% vs 5.38% CAGR).
- •NTR pays the higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 1.04%).
Which is better, ECL or NTR?
Metric tally: ECL 8 · NTR 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNTR(lower P/E)
GrowthECL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNTR(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | NTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 37.06 | 13.09● |
| Forward P/E | 32.95 | 12.17● |
| P/S ratio | 4.72 | 1.11● |
| P/B ratio | 7.77 | 1.23● |
| PEG ratio | 7.14 | 0.05● |
| EV / EBITDA | 24.37 | 6.99● |
| FCF yield | 2.41% | 7.20%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | NTR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.29%● | 31.16% |
| Operating margin | 17.49%● | 14.15% |
| Net margin | 12.80%● | 8.58% |
| ROE | 21.05%● | 9.46% |
| ROIC | 11.95%● | 6.79% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | NTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.04% | 3.40%● |
| Payout ratio | 38.74% | 46.10% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | NTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.14%● | 5.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | 41.02%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.68%● | 0.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.67%● | 5.10% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ECL or NTR?
- It depends on your goal. value: NTR (lower P/E); growth: ECL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NTR (higher dividend yield); quality: ECL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NTR leads 9 to 8.
- Is ECL or NTR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NTR is cheaper: ECL trades at a 37.06 P/E and NTR at 13.09.
- Which has grown faster, ECL or NTR?
- Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — ECL at a 7.14% CAGR versus NTR at 5.38%.
- Does ECL or NTR pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.04% and NTR yields 3.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or NTR more profitable?
- ECL runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.80% versus NTR at 8.58%.
- Which has been the better investment, ECL or NTR?
- Over the past 5-year, ECL delivered the higher annualized total return — ECL at 9.92% versus NTR at 5.10%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioNutrien P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldNutrien dividend yieldEcolab ROENutrien ROEEcolab operating marginNutrien operating marginEcolab revenue growthNutrien revenue growthEcolab free cash flowNutrien free cash flow
Ecolab & Nutrien 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 17, 2026.