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

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

Company Profile

SymbolECLIFF
Company NameEcolab Inc.International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
Market Capitalization78.95 billion USD17.21 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 21, 1973December 17, 1974
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ECL and IFF 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolECLIFF
5-Day Price Return-1.87%1.99%
13-Week Price Return7.20%-11.33%
26-Week Price Return4.55%-18.11%
52-Week Price Return13.05%-33.12%
Month-to-Date Return6.34%-5.48%
Year-to-Date Return18.79%-20.59%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.19M2.05M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.21M1.82M
3-Month Volatility16.59%26.91%
Beta1.111.12

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.

IFF

-2.80%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF has a negative Return on Equity of -2.80%. 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 vs. IFF: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

IFF

-3.48%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -3.48%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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

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.

IFF

0.50%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.50% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolECLIFF
Return on Equity (TTM)24.07%-2.80%
Return on Assets (TTM)9.43%-1.39%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.59%-3.48%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)18.40%0.50%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)44.01%36.25%

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.

IFF

1.86

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

IFF’s Current Ratio of 1.86 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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

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.

IFF

0.43

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

IFF’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.43 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 vs. IFF: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

IFF

1.73

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, IFF’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.73 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolECLIFF
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.441.86
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.090.91
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.880.43
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)10.101.73

Growth

Revenue Growth

ECL vs. IFF: 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

ECL vs. IFF: 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)

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.

IFF

2.43%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Dividend Yield of 2.43% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

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.

IFF

30.40%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.40% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolECLIFF
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.87%2.43%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)32.94%30.40%

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.

IFF

--

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

P/E Ratio data for IFF is currently unavailable.

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

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.

IFF

1.49

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

IFF’s P/S Ratio of 1.49 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 vs. IFF: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

IFF

1.31

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

IFF’s P/B Ratio of 1.31 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 vs. IFF: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolECLIFF
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)37.69--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.121.49
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)8.201.31
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)51.1627.52