Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Rio Tinto Group (RIO)
A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Rio Tinto Group across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
$279.49Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
RIO
Rio Tinto Group
$94.56Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ECL vs RIO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yECL +151.6% (+9.7%/yr)RIO +613.9% (+21.7%/yr)RIO compounded faster over this window
ECL RIO
ECL vs RIO: by the numbers
- •RIO is the larger company ($153.66B vs $78.66B market cap).
- •RIO converts more revenue to profit (17.29% vs 12.57% net margin).
- •ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.78% vs 5.31% CAGR).
- •RIO pays the higher dividend yield (4.65% vs 1.03%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 37.52 | N/A |
| Forward P/E | 34.27 | 11.33 |
| P/S ratio | 4.67 | N/A |
| P/B ratio | 7.82 | 2.35 |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.89 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 2.38% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.11% | 28.06% |
| Operating margin | 17.37% | 25.85% |
| Net margin | 12.57% | 17.29% |
| ROE | 21.05% | 16.06% |
| ROIC | 9.42% | 9.23% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 4.65% |
| Payout ratio | 38.12% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.78% | 5.31% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | 0.36% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.77% | -13.02% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.26% | 13.99% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, ECL or RIO?
- Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — ECL at a 6.78% CAGR versus RIO at 5.31%.
- Does ECL or RIO pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.03% and RIO yields 4.65% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or RIO more profitable?
- RIO runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.57% versus RIO at 17.29%.
- How have ECL and RIO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ECL delivered 10.00% and RIO delivered 21.37% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldRio Tinto dividend yieldEcolab ROERio Tinto ROEEcolab operating marginRio Tinto operating marginEcolab revenue growthRio Tinto revenue growthEcolab free cash flowRio Tinto free cash flow
Ecolab & Rio Tinto 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 September 13, 2026.