ECL vs PPG
Ecolab and PPG Industries, both Basic Materials
Ecolab is the larger company at $76B against $26B. On trailing earnings PPG is the cheaper of the two at a P/E of 16.3 against 39.0, a gap that is only a bargain if the two are growing at similar rates. Over the past year PPG returned +11% against +9.3% for ECL. Ryufin's sector-relative Smart Score puts PPG ahead, 8/10 against 6/10.
| Figure | ECL | PPG |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $291 | $114 |
| Market cap | $76B | $26B |
| Trailing P/Elower is cheaper for the same earnings, not automatically better | 39.0 | 16.3 |
| Dividend yield | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| 1-year return | +9.3% | +11% |
| 5-year return | +39% | -22% |
| Ryufin Smart Scoresector-relative, 1–10 | 6/10 | 8/10 |
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.
PPG Industries
Revenue of $3.9B in Q1 2026, net income $382M. Its largest reported line is North America, 46% of the disclosed total.
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