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ECL vs. IFF: Ecolab vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances Stock Comparison

How do Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) are both classified in the Specialty Chemicals sub-industry within the broader Chemicals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Profile ItemECLIFF
NameEcolab Inc.International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS Industry GroupMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
GICS Sub-IndustrySpecialty ChemicalsSpecialty Chemicals
Market Capitalization84.33 billion USD20.69 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 21, 1973December 17, 1974
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ECL
IFF
GSPC
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Total Return (1Y)20.33%40.13%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)21.41%8.28%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)6.90%-8.71%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ECL
IFF
GSPC
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)21.72%36.26%
Beta (5Y)0.840.88
Max Drawdown (5Y)-43.70%-56.66%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.40M1.88M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ECL and IFF are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.740.99
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.131.71

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) reports a negative ROE of -7.37%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Ecolab (ECL) reports 20.77%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ECL

Materials industry group

20.77%

Max
52.88%
ECL
20.77%
Q3
19.49%
Median
8.76%
Q1
-3.41%
Min
-32.81%

IFF

Materials industry group

-7.37%

Max
52.88%
Q3
19.49%
Median
8.76%
Q1
-3.41%
IFF
-7.37%
Min
-32.81%
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their ROE against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Ecolab (ECL) at 11.99% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.68% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

ECL

Materials industry group

11.99%

Max
38.66%
Q3
15.98%
ECL
11.99%
Median
5.28%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-20.40%

IFF

Materials industry group

1.68%

Max
38.66%
Q3
15.98%
Median
5.28%
IFF
1.68%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-20.40%
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their net margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Ecolab (ECL) at 19.22% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 9.53% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

ECL

Materials industry group

19.22%

Max
66.70%
Q3
28.92%
ECL
19.22%
Median
12.56%
Q1
3.28%
Min
-14.07%

IFF

Materials industry group

9.53%

Max
66.70%
Q3
28.92%
Median
12.56%
IFF
9.53%
Q1
3.28%
Min
-14.07%
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their operating margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
ROE (TTM)20.77%-7.37%
ROA (TTM)7.29%2.18%
Net Margin (TTM)11.99%1.68%
Operating Margin (TTM)19.22%9.53%
Gross Margin (TTM)44.04%36.27%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ecolab (ECL) at 2.16% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at -5.17% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Ecolab (ECL) at -1.22% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at -248.42% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Revenue Growth (YoY)2.16%-5.17%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)4.26%-4.34%
EPS Growth (YoY)-1.22%-248.42%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)24.09%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.87 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Ecolab (ECL) at 1.11 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for ECL.

ECL

Materials industry group

1.11

Max
5.96
Q3
3.30
Median
2.24
Q1
1.45
ECL
1.11
Min
0.16

IFF

Materials industry group

1.87

Max
5.96
Q3
3.30
Median
2.24
IFF
1.87
Q1
1.45
Min
0.16
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their current ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 0.51 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Ecolab (ECL) at 1.33 uses more debt funding than most peers.

ECL

Materials industry group

1.33

Max
1.98
ECL
1.33
Q3
0.89
Median
0.47
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00

IFF

Materials industry group

0.51

Max
1.98
Q3
0.89
IFF
0.51
Median
0.47
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.111.87
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.330.51
Net Debt / EBITDA3.093.51

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.85% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Ecolab (ECL) at 0.95% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, IFF the richer one.

ECL

Materials industry group

0.95%

Max
4.52%
Q3
1.85%
ECL
0.95%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IFF

Materials industry group

1.85%

Max
4.52%
IFF
1.85%
Q3
1.85%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Ecolab (ECL) at 39.73% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 62.26% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

ECL

Materials industry group

39.73%

Max
83.62%
Q3
41.37%
ECL
39.73%
Median
9.54%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IFF

Materials industry group

62.26%

Max
83.62%
IFF
62.26%
Q3
41.37%
Median
9.54%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.95%1.85%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)39.73%62.26%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both look expensive on trailing earnings: Ecolab (ECL) at 40.91 sits in the richer P/E ratio quartile, and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 236.06 is richer still, above its industry range.

ECL

Materials industry group

40.91

Max
59.00
ECL
40.91
Q3
32.93
Median
18.82
Q1
11.96
Min
3.93

IFF

Materials industry group

236.06

IFF
236.06
Max
59.00
Q3
32.93
Median
18.82
Q1
11.96
Min
3.93
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.91 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Ecolab (ECL) at 4.85 sits in the pricier quartile — ECL costs more per dollar of sales.

ECL

Materials industry group

4.85

Max
9.62
ECL
4.85
Q3
4.34
Median
1.87
Q1
0.73
Min
0.00

IFF

Materials industry group

1.91

Max
9.62
Q3
4.34
IFF
1.91
Median
1.87
Q1
0.73
Min
0.00
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.56 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Ecolab (ECL) at 8.09 prices above its benchmark range — ECL looks rich relative to book.

ECL

Materials industry group

8.09

ECL
8.09
Max
6.59
Q3
3.55
Median
2.08
Q1
1.26
Min
-0.17

IFF

Materials industry group

1.56

Max
6.59
Q3
3.55
Median
2.08
IFF
1.56
Q1
1.26
Min
-0.17
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Ecolab (ECL) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricECLIFF
P/E Ratio (TTM)40.91236.06
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.851.91
P/B Ratio (MRQ)8.091.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.71%-10.66%