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).

Compare

Total return — ECL vs NTR

growth of $100 · last 8y
ECL +104.2%NTR +17.4%ECL compounded faster
50100150200Start $10020182020202220242026$204$117
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 9

It 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

MetricECLNTR
P/E ratio37.0613.09
Forward P/E32.9512.17
P/S ratio4.721.11
P/B ratio7.771.23
PEG ratio7.140.05
EV / EBITDA24.376.99
FCF yield2.41%7.20%

Profitability

MetricECLNTR
Gross margin44.29%31.16%
Operating margin17.49%14.15%
Net margin12.80%8.58%
ROE21.05%9.46%
ROIC11.95%6.79%

Dividends

MetricECLNTR
Dividend yield1.04%3.40%
Payout ratio38.74%46.10%

Growth (annualized)

MetricECLNTR
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.

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.