Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Vale S.A. (VALE)
A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Vale S.A. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
$285.17Basic MaterialsAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
VALE
Vale S.A.
$14.71Basic MaterialsAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ECL vs VALE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 24yECL +1519.0%VALE +2051.5%VALE compounded faster
ECL VALE
ECL vs VALE: by the numbers
- •ECL is the larger company ($80.26B vs $62.73B market cap).
- •VALE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (30.65 vs 38.28 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ECL converts more revenue to profit (12.57% vs 4.92% net margin).
- •ECL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.78% vs -5.47% CAGR).
- •VALE pays the higher dividend yield (6.91% vs 1.00%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 38.28 | 30.65 |
| Forward P/E | 34.96 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 4.79 | 1.52 |
| P/B ratio | 8.02 | 1.65 |
| PEG ratio | 7.38 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.39 | 5.10 |
| FCF yield | 2.31% | 6.15% |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.11% | 34.32% |
| Operating margin | 17.37% | 28.32% |
| Net margin | 12.57% | 4.92% |
| ROE | 21.05% | 5.34% |
| ROIC | 11.95% | 6.85% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 6.91% |
| Payout ratio | 38.74% | 175.15% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.78% | -5.47% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | -10.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.68% | -29.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.53% | 2.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ECL or VALE?
- VALE has the lower trailing P/E: ECL trades at 38.28 and VALE at 30.65. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ECL or VALE?
- Over the past five years, ECL grew revenue faster — ECL at a 6.78% CAGR versus VALE at -5.47%.
- Does ECL or VALE pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.00% and VALE yields 6.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or VALE more profitable?
- ECL runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.57% versus VALE at 4.92%.
- How have ECL and VALE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ECL delivered 9.98% and VALE delivered 17.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioVale P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldVale dividend yieldEcolab ROEVale ROEEcolab operating marginVale operating marginEcolab revenue growthVale revenue growthEcolab free cash flowVale free cash flow
Ecolab & Vale 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 August 8, 2026.