ECL vs LIN
Ecolab and Linde plc, both Basic Materials
Linde plc is the larger company at $237B against $76B. On trailing earnings LIN is the cheaper of the two at a P/E of 31.2 against 37.8, a gap that is only a bargain if the two are growing at similar rates. Over the past year ECL returned +7.3% against +2.7% for LIN. The RyuScore puts LIN ahead, 66 against 63 out of 100.
| Figure | ECL | LIN |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $282 | $484 |
| Market cap | $76B | $237B |
| Trailing P/Elower is cheaper for the same earnings, not automatically better | 37.8 | 31.2 |
| Dividend yield | 1.0% | 1.2% |
| 1-year return | +7.3% | +2.7% |
| 5-year return | +32% | +65% |
| RyuScoresector-relative, 1–10 | 63/100 | 66/100 |
Figures from SEC filings and end-of-day closes. Highlighting marks the higher or lower number, which is not the same as the better investment, a low P/E can be a warning and a high one can be deserved.
Ecolab
Revenue of $4.4B in Q2 2026, net income $539M. Its largest reported line is United States, 43% of the disclosed total.
Linde plc
Revenue of $9.3B in Q2 2026, net income $1.9B. Its largest reported line is Americas, 44% of the disclosed total.
Open these two in the interactive comparison to add more names, change the period or see the correlation.