ECL vs. LYB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ECL and LYB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ECL | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ecolab Inc. | LyondellBasell Industries N.V. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals |
| Market Capitalization | 80.97 billion USD | 17.80 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | April 28, 2010 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ECL and LYB 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 | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.96% | 3.79% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.22% | -6.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.53% | -27.43% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 17.86% | -42.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.06% | -4.49% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.83% | -25.50% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.10M | 4.33M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 4.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.11% | 46.68% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 0.94 |
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.
LYB
2.08%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
LYB’s Return on Equity of 2.08% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
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.
LYB
0.75%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, LYB’s Net Profit Margin of 0.75% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
LYB
1.52%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
LYB’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.52% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.07% | 2.08% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.43% | 0.73% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.59% | 0.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.40% | 1.52% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.01% | 9.47% |
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.
LYB
1.77
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
LYB’s Current Ratio of 1.77 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
LYB
0.99
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
LYB’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99. 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.
LYB
3.85
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- Min
- -9.39
LYB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.85 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.44 | 1.77 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.09 | 0.92 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 0.99 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.10 | 3.85 |
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.
LYB
10.12%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
LYB’s Dividend Yield of 10.12% 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.
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.
LYB
152.02%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
LYB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 152.02% 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 10.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.94% | 152.02% |
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.
LYB
66.07
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
At 66.07, LYB’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
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.
LYB
0.49
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, LYB’s P/S Ratio of 0.49 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.
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.
LYB
1.56
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
LYB’s P/B Ratio of 1.56 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ECL | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.69 | 66.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.12 | 0.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.20 | 1.56 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.16 | 6.72 |