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ECL vs IFF
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ECL boasts a market cap of $76 billion and positive EPS of $7.29, contrasting IFF's $18 billion cap and negative EPS of -$1.41.
- IFF leads YTD performance at 6.19% versus ECL's 2.95%, but ECL shows stronger 1-year gains of 13.61% compared to 4.92%.
- ECL's recent $4.75 billion CoolIT Systems acquisition bolsters its data center cooling position amid AI demand.
- IFF focuses on innovations like pet probiotics and heart-health soy claims, ahead of Q1 earnings.
- Dividend yields favor IFF at 2.25% over ECL's 1.04%, appealing to income investors.
- Lower beta of 0.98 for ECL signals relative stability versus IFF's 1.03.
Introduction
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) operate in the specialty chemicals sector, serving hygiene, energy, and consumer goods markets. This stock comparison highlights their relative performance, growth drivers, and market positioning in recent market activity. Traders seeking momentum plays and long-term investors evaluating stability in materials stocks will find value in contrasting their business models, recent catalysts, and risk profiles amid evolving economic conditions.
ECL Overview and Recent Performance
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) is a global leader in water treatment, hygiene products, and infection prevention solutions for industries including healthcare, food, and energy. In recent weeks, its stock has shown resilience, trading around $269 with a 52-week range of $222 to $309 and a P/E ratio (price-to-earnings ratio) of 37. Key influences include the $4.75 billion acquisition of CoolIT Systems, enhancing its liquid cooling technology for AI data centers, expected to close in Q3 2026 with margin expansion targets. Analyst sentiment mixes optimism on AI exposure with pricing concerns, reflected in an average price target of $320. Upcoming earnings have drawn focus, supporting steady volume and modest gains amid broader market volatility.
IFF Overview and Recent Performance
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) specializes in flavors, fragrances, and nutritional ingredients for food, beverage, and personal care sectors. Recently, shares hover near $71 within a 52-week range of $59 to $84, grappling with negative EPS of -$1.41 and no P/E due to losses. Developments include launches like PureStrong™ pet probiotic and a first heart-health claim for soy protein in Australia/New Zealand, signaling innovation in pet and nutrition segments. Ahead of Q1 earnings, analysts anticipate EPS declines, contributing to cautious sentiment despite YTD outperformance. Trading volume remains moderate, with focus on revenue stabilization efforts.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ECL and IFF both anchor the specialty chemicals space but diverge in models: ECL emphasizes integrated services and tech solutions, while IFF focuses on ingredient supply chains. Growth drivers contrast with ECL's AI data center push versus IFF's consumer innovation amid margin pressures. Recent momentum favors IFF YTD but ECL over one year. Risk profiles show ECL's profitability and lower beta reducing volatility exposure compared to IFF's losses and earnings risks. Sector ties to industrials and consumer staples yield mixed sentiment, with ECL gaining from tech tailwinds.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward ECL based on trend consistency, robust profitability, and catalysts like the CoolIT acquisition positioning it in high-growth AI infrastructure. While IFF offers higher yield and short-term gains, its negative earnings and volatility temper appeal. This probabilistic edge favors ECL for relative stability in the current environment.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ECL is a Buy and IFF is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ECL’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileIFF’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ECL’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- IFF’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ECL’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IFF’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ECL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- IFF’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
ECL (@Chemicals: Specialty) experienced а +0.75% price change this week, while IFF (@Chemicals: Specialty) price change was +7.02% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Specialty industry was -2.91%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.66%.
Reported Earning Dates
ECL is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
IFF is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Chemicals: Specialty (-2.91% weekly)The specialty chemicals sector includes companies that produce chemicals and industrial gases, which are of relatively high-value, often made to customer specifications. Examples of specialty chemicals are electronic chemicals, industrial gases, coatings, adhesives and sealants, industrial and institutional cleaning chemicals. The products are often valued on the basis of their purposes/performances rather than for their composition. Linde Plc, Ecolab Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and Dow, Inc. are some of the largest companies making specialty chemicals.
| ECL | IFF | ECL / IFF | |
| Capitalization | 78.3B | 20.7B | 378% |
| EBITDA | 3.91B | 1.97B | 199% |
| Gain YTD | 6.612 | 21.770 | 30% |
| P/E Ratio | 36.45 | 23.51 | 155% |
| Revenue | 16.5B | 10.8B | 153% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 9.27B | 6.44B | 144% |
ECL | IFF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 26 | 17 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 62 Fair valued | 30 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 56 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 42 | 83 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 36 | 31 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 54 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 33 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
IFF's Valuation (30) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as ECL (62) in the Chemicals Specialty industry. This means that IFF’s stock grew similarly to ECL’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's Profit vs Risk Rating (56) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IFF (100) in the Household Or Personal Care industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew somewhat faster than IFF’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's SMR Rating (42) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IFF (83) in the Household Or Personal Care industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew somewhat faster than IFF’s over the last 12 months.
IFF's Price Growth Rating (31) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as ECL (36) in the Chemicals Specialty industry. This means that IFF’s stock grew similarly to ECL’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's P/E Growth Rating (51) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as IFF (54) in the Household Or Personal Care industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew similarly to IFF’s over the last 12 months.
| ECL | IFF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 61% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 51% | 1 day ago 57% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 52% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 51% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 28 days ago 54% | 9 days ago 60% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 39% | N/A |
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ECL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ECL has been loosely correlated with PPG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ECL jumps, then PPG could also see price increases.
IFF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IFF has been loosely correlated with PPG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if IFF jumps, then PPG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IFF | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFF | 100% | +2.44% | ||
| PPG - IFF | 61% Loosely correlated | +1.09% | ||
| AVNT - IFF | 58% Loosely correlated | -0.38% | ||
| AXTA - IFF | 56% Loosely correlated | -0.06% | ||
| SHW - IFF | 55% Loosely correlated | +0.50% | ||
| RPM - IFF | 53% Loosely correlated | -0.42% | ||
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