ECL vs SQM

Ecolab and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A., both Basic Materials

Ecolab is the larger company at $76B against $23B. On trailing earnings SQM is the cheaper of the two at a P/E of 32.7 against 39.0, a gap that is only a bargain if the two are growing at similar rates. Over the past year SQM returned +105% against +9.3% for ECL. Ryufin's sector-relative Smart Score puts SQM ahead, 10/10 against 6/10.

Ecolab and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.compared on valuation, return and Ryufin’s Smart Score
FigureECLSQM
Last close$291$78.33
Market cap$76B$23B
Trailing P/Elower is cheaper for the same earnings, not automatically better39.032.7
Dividend yield0.9%n/a
1-year return+9.3%+105%
5-year return+39%+104%
Ryufin Smart Scoresector-relative, 1–106/1010/10

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.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.

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