ECL vs. GFI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ECL and GFI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ECL is a standard domestic listing, while GFI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ecolab Inc. | Gold Fields Limited |
| Country | United States | South Africa |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 78.95 billion USD | 28.94 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ECL and GFI 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.87% | 2.23% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.20% | 36.12% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.55% | 51.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.05% | 73.49% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.34% | 22.45% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.79% | 118.43% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.19M | 1.73M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.21M | 2.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.59% | 45.85% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.57 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
GFI
25.25%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, GFI’s Return on Equity of 25.25% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GFI
23.93%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
A Net Profit Margin of 23.93% places GFI in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GFI
45.14%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.14% places GFI in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.07% | 25.25% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.43% | 13.45% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.59% | 23.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.40% | 45.14% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.01% | 51.51% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GFI
1.13
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
GFI’s Current Ratio of 1.13 falls into the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GFI
0.57
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
GFI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Metals & Mining industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
GFI
32.40
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
GFI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.40 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.44 | 1.13 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.09 | 0.72 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 0.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.10 | 32.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
GFI
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFI 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
GFI
58.80%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.80% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.94% | 58.80% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
GFI
21.40
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
GFI’s P/E Ratio of 21.40 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
GFI
5.12
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
GFI’s P/S Ratio of 5.12 is in the upper echelon for the Metals & Mining industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GFI
2.40
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
GFI’s P/B Ratio of 2.40 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | GFI |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.69 | 21.40 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.12 | 5.12 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.20 | 2.40 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.16 | 45.25 |