ECL vs. PKX: Ecolab vs. POSCO Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX) 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 POSCO (PKX) both fall under the Materials industry group, but ECL is classified in Chemicals while PKX is classified in Metals & Mining.

Ecolab (ECL) trades as ordinary local shares, while POSCO (PKX) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Profile Item	ECL	PKX
Name	Ecolab Inc.	POSCO Holdings Inc. American Depositary Receipt
Country/Region	United States	South Korea
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry Group	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Metals & Mining
GICS Sub-Industry	Specialty Chemicals	Steel
Market Capitalization	84.33 billion USD	14.79 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 21, 1973	October 14, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ECL

PKX

GSPC

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX), 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 POSCO (PKX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Total Return (1Y)	20.33%	-4.84%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	21.41%	-15.65%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	6.90%	-1.81%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ECL

PKX

GSPC

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX), 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 POSCO (PKX). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	21.72%	46.00%
Beta (5Y)	0.84	1.71
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-43.70%	-68.71%
Avg. Volume (3M)	1.40M	216.95K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

ECL and PKX 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 POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.74	-0.20
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.13	-0.30

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Ecolab (ECL) at 20.77% sits in the top ROE quartile, while POSCO (PKX) at 2.21% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for ECL.

ECL

Materials industry group

20.77%

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

PKX

Materials industry group

2.21%

Max: 52.88%
Q3: 19.49%
Median: 8.76%
PKX: 2.21%
Q1: -3.41%
Min: -32.81%

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their ROE against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Ecolab (ECL) at 11.99% and POSCO (PKX) at 1.89% 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%

PKX

Materials industry group

1.89%

Max: 38.66%
Q3: 15.98%
Median: 5.28%
PKX: 1.89%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -20.40%

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their net margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Ecolab (ECL) at 19.22% and POSCO (PKX) at 4.26% 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%

PKX

Materials industry group

4.26%

Max: 66.70%
Q3: 28.92%
Median: 12.56%
PKX: 4.26%
Q1: 3.28%
Min: -14.07%

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
ROE (TTM)	20.77%	2.21%
ROA (TTM)	7.29%	1.31%
Net Margin (TTM)	11.99%	1.89%
Operating Margin (TTM)	19.22%	4.26%
Gross Margin (TTM)	44.04%	7.87%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ecolab (ECL) at 2.16% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while POSCO (PKX) at -6.09% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Ecolab (ECL) at -1.22% and POSCO (PKX) at -29.00% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Revenue Growth (YoY)	2.16%	-6.09%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	4.26%	-6.72%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-1.22%	-29.00%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	24.09%	-39.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

POSCO (PKX) at 1.98 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

PKX

Materials industry group

1.98

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.30
Median: 2.24
PKX: 1.98
Q1: 1.45
Min: 0.16

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their current ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

POSCO (PKX) at 0.50 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

PKX

Materials industry group

0.50

Max: 1.98
Q3: 0.89
PKX: 0.50
Median: 0.47
Q1: 0.13
Min: 0.00

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.11	1.98
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.33	0.50
Net Debt / EBITDA	3.09	2.81

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Ecolab (ECL) at 0.95% pays an industry-typical yield; POSCO (PKX) at 18,518.52% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.

ECL

Materials industry group

0.95%

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

PKX

Materials industry group

18,518.52%

PKX: 18,518.52%
Max: 4.52%
Q3: 1.85%
Median: 0.38%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): 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 POSCO (PKX) at 51.60% 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%

PKX

Materials industry group

51.60%

Max: 83.62%
PKX: 51.60%
Q3: 41.37%
Median: 9.54%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.95%	18,518.52%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	39.73%	51.60%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

POSCO (PKX) at 15.57 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Ecolab (ECL) at 40.91 sits in the richer quartile — ECL needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

ECL

Materials industry group

40.91

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

PKX

Materials industry group

15.57

Max: 59.00
Q3: 32.93
Median: 18.82
PKX: 15.57
Q1: 11.96
Min: 3.93

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

POSCO (PKX) at 0.00 looks cheap on sales in the lower P/S ratio quartile, while Ecolab (ECL) at 4.85 looks rich in the upper quartile — a clear gap in price per dollar of revenue.

ECL

Materials industry group

4.85

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

PKX

Materials industry group

0.00

Max: 9.62
Q3: 4.34
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.73
PKX: 0.00
Min: 0.00

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

POSCO (PKX) at 1.36 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

PKX

Materials industry group

1.36

Max: 6.59
Q3: 3.55
Median: 2.08
PKX: 1.36
Q1: 1.26
Min: -0.17

Ecolab (ECL) vs. POSCO (PKX): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Ecolab (ECL) and POSCO (PKX)
Metric	ECL	PKX
P/E Ratio (TTM)	40.91	15.57
P/S Ratio (TTM)	4.85	0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	8.09	1.36
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.71%	-23,410.34%