Seek Returns logo

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

Updated on

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

Company Profile

SymbolDOWECL
Company NameDow Inc.Ecolab Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
Market Capitalization17.07 billion USD80.97 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 20, 2019February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DOW 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolDOWECL
5-Day Price Return3.04%1.96%
13-Week Price Return-20.03%9.22%
26-Week Price Return-37.19%7.53%
52-Week Price Return-55.12%17.86%
Month-to-Date Return3.39%9.06%
Year-to-Date Return-39.99%21.83%
10-Day Avg. Volume13.32M1.10M
3-Month Avg. Volume12.65M1.22M
3-Month Volatility55.34%16.11%
Beta0.881.11

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

DOW

-5.63%

Chemicals Industry

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

DOW has a negative Return on Equity of -5.63%. 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
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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

DOW

-2.35%

Chemicals Industry

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

DOW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.35%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

DOW

-0.14%

Chemicals Industry

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

DOW has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.14%. 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
13.97%
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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolDOWECL
Return on Equity (TTM)-5.63%24.07%
Return on Assets (TTM)-1.68%9.43%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)-2.35%13.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)-0.14%18.40%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)8.07%44.01%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

1.69

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

DOW’s Current Ratio of 1.69 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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

0.97

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

DOW’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

DOW

3.42

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

DOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolDOWECL
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.691.44
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.051.09
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.970.88
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)3.4210.10

Growth

Revenue Growth

DOW 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

DOW 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)

DOW

11.52%

Chemicals Industry

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

DOW’s Dividend Yield of 11.52% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

DOW

126.09%

Chemicals Industry

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

DOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 126.09% is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolDOWECL
Dividend Yield (TTM)11.52%0.87%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)126.09%32.94%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DOW

--

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

P/E Ratio data for DOW is currently unavailable.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

DOW

0.41

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, DOW’s P/S Ratio of 0.41 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

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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

1.09

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

DOW’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is within the conventional range for the Chemicals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolDOWECL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)--37.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)0.415.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.098.20
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)76.4251.16