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

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

Company Profile

SymbolCLFECL
Company NameCleveland-Cliffs Inc.Ecolab Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryMetals & MiningChemicals
Market Capitalization6.31 billion USD78.45 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 21, 1973February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CLF 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCLFECL
5-Day Price Return-0.70%1.35%
13-Week Price Return44.56%0.91%
26-Week Price Return55.11%9.10%
52-Week Price Return-1.62%8.91%
Month-to-Date Return4.51%1.00%
Year-to-Date Return35.64%18.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume26.31M1.51M
3-Month Avg. Volume28.46M1.28M
3-Month Volatility55.41%16.61%
Beta1.981.01

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CLF

-26.06%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
41.55%
Q3
17.74%
Median
9.00%
Q1
1.65%
Min
-21.32%

CLF has a negative Return on Equity of -26.06%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

ECL

24.07%

Chemicals Industry

Max
29.52%
Q3
13.18%
Median
6.53%
Q1
1.35%
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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CLF

-9.03%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
43.69%
Q3
19.12%
Median
6.48%
Q1
1.50%
Min
-20.21%

CLF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.03%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

ECL

13.59%

Chemicals Industry

Max
20.20%
Q3
9.15%
Median
3.94%
Q1
0.60%
Min
-10.43%

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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CLF

-9.54%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
71.84%
Q3
32.31%
Median
12.50%
Q1
2.69%
Min
-23.81%

CLF has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -9.54%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

ECL

18.40%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.82%
Median
7.98%
Q1
3.60%
Min
-7.61%

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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCLFECL
Return on Equity (TTM)-26.06%24.07%
Return on Assets (TTM)-8.44%9.43%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)-9.03%13.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)-9.54%18.40%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)-5.29%44.01%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CLF

2.04

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
5.27
Q3
3.04
Median
1.96
Q1
1.42
Min
0.13

CLF’s Current Ratio of 2.04 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ECL

1.44

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.72
Q3
2.38
Median
1.69
Q1
1.42
Min
0.75

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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CLF

1.33

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
1.10
Q3
0.51
Median
0.33
Q1
0.09
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.33, CLF operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Metals & Mining industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

ECL

0.88

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.53
Q3
1.00
Median
0.69
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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CLF

-1.55

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
51.62
Q3
22.73
Median
5.76
Q1
0.82
Min
-21.72

CLF has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.55. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

ECL

10.10

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
8.84
Q1
2.54
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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCLFECL
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.041.44
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.611.09
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.330.88
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)-1.5510.10

Growth

Revenue Growth

CLF 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

CLF 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)

CLF

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
8.17%
Q3
3.57%
Median
1.25%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

CLF currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ECL

0.91%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.59%
Q3
3.67%
Median
2.44%
Q1
1.36%
Min
0.00%

ECL’s Dividend Yield of 0.91% 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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CLF

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
138.08%
Q3
62.06%
Median
33.17%
Q1
10.41%
Min
0.00%

CLF has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

ECL

32.94%

Chemicals Industry

Max
192.00%
Q3
108.95%
Median
57.38%
Q1
27.28%
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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCLFECL
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.91%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%32.94%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CLF

--

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
83.04
Q3
41.69
Median
20.30
Q1
12.95
Min
1.75

P/E Ratio data for CLF is currently unavailable.

ECL

36.37

Chemicals Industry

Max
49.43
Q3
32.03
Median
21.32
Q1
14.93
Min
8.66

A P/E Ratio of 36.37 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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CLF

0.34

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
9.28
Q3
4.28
Median
2.37
Q1
0.86
Min
0.16

In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, CLF’s P/S Ratio of 0.34 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

ECL

4.94

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.90
Q3
2.23
Median
1.00
Q1
0.55
Min
0.15

With a P/S Ratio of 4.94, 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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CLF

0.65

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
4.68
Q3
2.45
Median
1.55
Q1
0.94
Min
0.34

CLF’s P/B Ratio of 0.65 is in the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

ECL

8.20

Chemicals Industry

Max
5.01
Q3
2.59
Median
1.50
Q1
0.95
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.

CLF vs. ECL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCLFECL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)--36.37
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)0.344.94
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)0.658.20
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)4.3549.37