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CBT vs. ECL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at CBT and ECL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolCBTECL
Company NameCabot CorporationEcolab Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
Market Capitalization4.22 billion USD80.97 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateNovember 5, 1980February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CBT and ECL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

CBT vs. ECL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCBTECL
5-Day Price Return-0.28%1.96%
13-Week Price Return4.66%9.22%
26-Week Price Return-7.71%7.53%
52-Week Price Return-21.47%17.86%
Month-to-Date Return9.77%9.06%
Year-to-Date Return-13.23%21.83%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.38M1.10M
3-Month Avg. Volume0.42M1.22M
3-Month Volatility33.15%16.11%
Beta0.921.11

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CBT

29.52%

Chemicals Industry

Max
26.17%
Q3
13.48%
Median
8.13%
Q1
2.52%
Min
-11.86%

CBT’s Return on Equity of 29.52% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

ECL

24.07%

Chemicals Industry

Max
26.17%
Q3
13.48%
Median
8.13%
Q1
2.52%
Min
-11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, ECL’s Return on Equity of 24.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CBT

11.14%

Chemicals Industry

Max
21.80%
Q3
9.57%
Median
4.44%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-11.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 11.14% places CBT in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ECL

13.59%

Chemicals Industry

Max
21.80%
Q3
9.57%
Median
4.44%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-11.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 13.59% places ECL in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CBT

16.62%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.97%
Median
8.08%
Q1
4.46%
Min
-8.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 16.62% places CBT in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

ECL

18.40%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.97%
Median
8.08%
Q1
4.46%
Min
-8.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 18.40% places ECL in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCBTECL
Return on Equity (TTM)29.52%24.07%
Return on Assets (TTM)11.33%9.43%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)11.14%13.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)16.62%18.40%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)25.16%44.01%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CBT

2.13

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

CBT’s Current Ratio of 2.13 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ECL

1.44

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

ECL’s Current Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CBT

0.79

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

CBT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.79 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ECL

0.88

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

ECL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.88 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CBT

11.80

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

CBT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.80 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ECL

10.10

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

ECL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCBTECL
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.131.44
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.251.09
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.790.88
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)11.8010.10

Growth

Revenue Growth

CBT vs. ECL: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CBT vs. ECL: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CBT

2.25%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.56%
Q3
4.04%
Median
2.47%
Q1
1.45%
Min
0.00%

CBT’s Dividend Yield of 2.25% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ECL

0.87%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.56%
Q3
4.04%
Median
2.47%
Q1
1.45%
Min
0.00%

ECL’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CBT

22.35%

Chemicals Industry

Max
181.25%
Q3
95.01%
Median
53.52%
Q1
26.59%
Min
0.00%

CBT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.35% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ECL

32.94%

Chemicals Industry

Max
181.25%
Q3
95.01%
Median
53.52%
Q1
26.59%
Min
0.00%

ECL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.94% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCBTECL
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.25%0.87%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)22.35%32.94%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CBT

9.92

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, CBT’s P/E Ratio of 9.92 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

ECL

37.69

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

A P/E Ratio of 37.69 places ECL in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CBT

1.10

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

CBT’s P/S Ratio of 1.10 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ECL

5.12

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

With a P/S Ratio of 5.12, ECL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CBT

2.61

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

CBT’s P/B Ratio of 2.61 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

ECL

8.20

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

At 8.20, ECL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

CBT vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCBTECL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)9.9237.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.105.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.618.20
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)12.1151.16