Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)
VMC leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Ecolab Inc. and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ECL vs VMC
growth of $100 · last 30yECL +3203.6%VMC +1428.4%ECL compounded faster
ECL VMC
ECL vs VMC: by the numbers
- •ECL is the larger company ($75.59B vs $38.02B market cap).
- •VMC trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.84 vs 36.34 P/E).
- •VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 12.80% net margin).
- •VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 7.14% CAGR).
- •ECL pays the higher dividend yield (1.03% vs 0.69%).
Which is better, ECL or VMC?
Metric tally: ECL 6 · VMC 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVMC(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeECL(higher dividend yield)
QualityECL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ECL | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.34 | 34.84● |
| Forward P/E | 32.31 | 27.09● |
| P/S ratio | 4.63● | 4.80 |
| P/B ratio | 7.62 | 4.57● |
| PEG ratio | 7.00 | 1.90● |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.87 | 16.81● |
| FCF yield | 2.45% | 2.89%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ECL | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.29%● | 27.61% |
| Operating margin | 17.49% | 20.62%● |
| Net margin | 12.80% | 13.88%● |
| ROE | 21.05%● | 13.22% |
| ROIC | 11.95%● | 8.02% |
Dividends
| Metric | ECL | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.03%● | 0.69% |
| Payout ratio | 37.65% | 24.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ECL | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.14% | 10.56%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.19% | 13.07%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.68%● | 5.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.67% | 12.12%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ECL or VMC?
- It depends on your goal. value: VMC (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ECL (higher dividend yield); quality: ECL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VMC leads 11 to 6.
- Is ECL or VMC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VMC is cheaper: ECL trades at a 36.34 P/E and VMC at 34.84.
- Which has grown faster, ECL or VMC?
- Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — ECL at a 7.14% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
- Does ECL or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
- ECL yields 1.03% and VMC yields 0.69% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ECL or VMC more profitable?
- VMC runs the higher net margin — ECL at 12.80% versus VMC at 13.88%.
- Which has been the better investment, ECL or VMC?
- Over the past 10-year, VMC delivered the higher annualized total return — ECL at 9.71% versus VMC at 10.89%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ecolab P/E ratioVulcan Materials P/E ratioEcolab dividend yieldVulcan Materials dividend yieldEcolab ROEVulcan Materials ROEEcolab operating marginVulcan Materials operating marginEcolab revenue growthVulcan Materials revenue growthEcolab free cash flowVulcan Materials free cash flow
Ecolab & Vulcan Materials 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 15, 2026.