ECL vs SHW
Ecolab and Sherwin-Williams, both Basic Materials
Sherwin-Williams is the larger company at $79B against $76B. On trailing earnings SHW is the cheaper of the two at a P/E of 32.1 against 39.0, a gap that is only a bargain if the two are growing at similar rates. Over the past year ECL returned +9.3% against +0.3% for SHW.
| Figure | ECL | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $291 | $349 |
| Market cap | $76B | $79B |
| Trailing P/Elower is cheaper for the same earnings, not automatically better | 39.0 | 32.1 |
| Dividend yield | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| 1-year return | +9.3% | +0.3% |
| 5-year return | +39% | +25% |
| Ryufin Smart Scoresector-relative, 1–10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
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.
Sherwin-Williams
Revenue of $6.8B in Q2 2026, net income $844M. Its largest reported line is Paint Stores Group, 54% of the disclosed total.
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