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ECL vs RPM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs. RPM International Inc. (RPM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ECL, a leader in water and hygiene solutions, benefits from strategic acquisitions in data center cooling amid AI-driven demand, supporting long-term growth.
- RPM delivered record quarterly sales and strong EPS (earnings per share) growth in recent results, driving positive stock momentum.
- ECL trades at a higher P/E ratio of around 37 compared to RPM's 20, reflecting differing growth expectations and valuations.
- Both stocks show modest YTD gains, with RPM exhibiting stronger recent price appreciation following earnings beats.
- ECL's larger market cap of $76B dwarfs RPM's $13B, indicating scale differences in the specialty chemicals sector.
- Investor sentiment leans toward RPM for near-term momentum, while ECL appeals for AI-related catalysts.
Introduction
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) and RPM International Inc. (RPM) operate in the specialty chemicals and industrial solutions space, serving overlapping markets like manufacturing, infrastructure, and consumer products. This stock comparison analyzes their recent market performance, business drivers, and relative positioning to help traders and investors evaluate opportunities in a volatile environment. Day traders may focus on short-term momentum, while long-term investors weigh growth prospects and valuations. Both companies navigate economic cycles, supply chain dynamics, and sector tailwinds such as infrastructure spending and technological advancements, making this head-to-head review timely for portfolio diversification.
ECL Overview and Recent Performance
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) specializes in water treatment, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions across global industries including food processing, healthcare, and energy. In recent market activity, ECL shares have experienced pressure, declining since the prior earnings release amid broader market rotations away from high-valuation growth names. A key development has been the $4.75 billion acquisition of CoolIT Systems, enhancing its data center cooling capabilities to capitalize on surging AI infrastructure demand. This positions ECL for high-margin growth in tech-driven sectors. Trading around $270 with a market cap exceeding $76 billion, the stock reflects mixed analyst views, with some upgrades on AI exposure offsetting target cuts. Sentiment has been influenced by anticipation for upcoming quarterly results and the integration risks of the deal.
RPM Overview and Recent Performance
RPM International Inc. (RPM) manufactures specialty coatings, sealants, and building products for construction, industrial, and consumer applications. Recent quarters have showcased robust performance, with record sales growth and significant EPS expansion fueling a stock rally of over 15% post-earnings. Third-quarter fiscal 2026 results highlighted an 8.9% sales increase to $1.61 billion across all segments, driven by volume gains and pricing power. Shares trade near $105 with a $13 billion market cap, supported by outperform ratings and raised targets from analysts. Positive sentiment stems from resilient demand in infrastructure and consumer markets, though margins face scrutiny amid input costs. RPM demonstrates stability in cyclical sectors during recent economic uncertainty.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ECL and RPM both thrive in specialty chemicals but diverge in business models: ECL emphasizes services and solutions for hygiene and water management, while RPM focuses on coatings and construction materials. Growth drivers contrast with ECL leveraging AI data center expansion versus RPM’s infrastructure and volume momentum. Recent momentum favors RPM with post-earnings gains, while ECL shows relative stability but higher valuation risk at elevated P/E levels. Risk factors include acquisition integration for ECL and margin pressures for RPM. Sector exposure overlaps in industrials, but market sentiment tilts toward RPM’s value positioning amid economic caution.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently favor RPM over ECL based on superior recent trend consistency, lower relative valuation, and earnings momentum. While ECL offers compelling AI catalysts, RPM’s record sales and EPS growth signal higher near-term probability of outperformance in stabilizing markets.
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 RPM 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 1 FA rating(s) are green whileRPM’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ECL’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- RPM’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 7 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RPM’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ECL’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 3 bearish.
- RPM’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
ECL (@Chemicals: Specialty) experienced а +0.56% price change this week, while RPM (@Chemicals: Specialty) price change was -1.19% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Specialty industry was -1.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.54%, and the average quarterly price growth was +16.77%.
Reported Earning Dates
ECL is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
RPM is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Chemicals: Specialty (-1.31% 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 | RPM | ECL / RPM | |
| Capitalization | 75.6B | 13.5B | 560% |
| EBITDA | 3.91B | 1.15B | 341% |
| Gain YTD | 3.153 | 4.456 | 71% |
| P/E Ratio | 36.45 | 20.72 | 176% |
| Revenue | 16.5B | 7.71B | 214% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 294M | - |
| Total Debt | 9.27B | 2.9B | 320% |
ECL | RPM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 33 | 27 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 62 Fair valued | 35 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 70 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 42 | 42 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 33 | 47 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 56 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 32 | 50 |
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.
RPM's Valuation (35) in the Industrial Specialties industry is in the same range as ECL (62) in the Chemicals Specialty industry. This means that RPM’s stock grew similarly to ECL’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's Profit vs Risk Rating (62) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (70) in the Industrial Specialties industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew similarly to RPM’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's SMR Rating (42) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (42) in the Industrial Specialties industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew similarly to RPM’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's Price Growth Rating (33) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (47) in the Industrial Specialties industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew similarly to RPM’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's P/E Growth Rating (51) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (56) in the Industrial Specialties industry. This means that ECL’s stock grew similarly to RPM’s over the last 12 months.
| ECL | RPM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 54% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 8 days ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 54% | 23 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 51% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 55% |
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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 61% 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.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ECL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECL | 100% | +0.08% | ||
| PPG - ECL | 61% Loosely correlated | +0.57% | ||
| RPM - ECL | 59% Loosely correlated | -0.41% | ||
| SHW - ECL | 57% Loosely correlated | -1.21% | ||
| AVNT - ECL | 51% Loosely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| AXTA - ECL | 49% Loosely correlated | -1.29% | ||
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RPM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RPM has been closely correlated with SHW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RPM jumps, then SHW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RPM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPM | 100% | -0.41% | ||
| SHW - RPM | 77% Closely correlated | -1.21% | ||
| PPG - RPM | 76% Closely correlated | +0.57% | ||
| FUL - RPM | 70% Closely correlated | -0.85% | ||
| AXTA - RPM | 67% Closely correlated | -1.29% | ||
| AVNT - RPM | 66% Loosely correlated | -1.01% | ||
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