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ECL vs RPM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs. RPM International Inc. (RPM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Ecolab Inc. (ECL) operates in water, hygiene, and energy technologies, offering defensive exposure to essential industrial and commercial services with relatively stable demand patterns.
- RPM International Inc. (RPM) focuses on specialty coatings, sealants, and building materials, benefiting from construction and industrial cycles with recent record fiscal results driving positive momentum.
- Valuation contrasts are notable, with ECL trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio around 37 compared to RPM’s approximately 20, reflecting differing growth expectations.
- Recent market activity shows RPM experiencing stronger sentiment following earnings beats and capital return expansions, while ECL maintains steadier positioning in its sector.
- Sector exposure differs significantly: ECL emphasizes sustainability and regulatory-driven solutions, whereas RPM leverages broader materials and construction end markets.
- Both stocks appeal to investors seeking industrial exposure, but trade-offs center on growth stability versus cyclical upside and valuation.
Introduction
This comparison examines ECL and RPM to highlight how two established industrial companies perform relative to each other in the current market environment. Ecolab Inc. delivers critical water, hygiene, and energy technologies, while RPM International Inc. specializes in coatings and building materials. The analysis targets experienced traders monitoring relative performance and momentum shifts, as well as investors evaluating sector positioning, valuation differences, and recent business developments. It focuses on observable factors such as earnings trends, market sentiment, and operational catalysts without forward-looking speculation.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) Overview and Recent Performance
Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services to customers across foodservice, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial markets. The company’s solutions support regulatory compliance and operational efficiency in essential sectors. In recent weeks, ECL stock has exhibited measured price behavior amid broader market fluctuations, with sentiment influenced by steady demand for its core offerings and ongoing focus on sustainability initiatives. Performance has reflected the defensive characteristics of its end markets, where consistent revenue streams from recurring service contracts help moderate volatility compared to more cyclical peers. Key influences include macroeconomic factors affecting industrial activity and continued investment in innovation for water treatment and cleaning solutions.
RPM International Inc. (RPM) Overview and Recent Performance
RPM International Inc. manufactures specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, and related products serving construction, industrial, and consumer markets worldwide. Its portfolio includes well-known brands across multiple operating groups. Recent market activity has featured positive momentum following the company’s fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year results, which included record net sales, adjusted earnings beats, and an expansion of the share repurchase program. Sentiment has been supported by these operational highlights and leadership announcements, including the appointment of a new president and chief operating officer. Broader influences on performance include demand trends in construction and industrial applications, alongside capital allocation decisions that have drawn analyst attention.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Business models differ markedly: ECL centers on service-oriented solutions in regulated environments, providing recurring revenue stability, while RPM emphasizes product manufacturing with exposure to raw material costs and end-market cycles. Growth drivers contrast as well, with ECL tied to sustainability mandates and efficiency upgrades, and RPM benefiting from construction recovery and industrial expansion. Recent momentum favors RPM following its earnings release and buyback increase, whereas ECL has shown more consistent but less event-driven movement. Risk factors include ECL’s sensitivity to regulatory changes and RPM’s greater cyclicality in materials demand. Sector exposure places ECL in defensive industrial services and RPM in broader materials and building products. Market sentiment currently reflects greater analyst activity around RPM’s results compared to the steadier profile of ECL.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent earnings consistency, capital return initiatives, and relative momentum, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic edge to RPM over ECL. The company’s record fiscal results and expanded repurchase program provide clearer near-term catalysts and trend support. However, ECL’s higher valuation and defensive characteristics could appeal in more uncertain environments, underscoring the trade-offs in positioning between the two.
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.
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 Hold and RPM is a StrongBuy.
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 whileRPM’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ECL’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RPM’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ECL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- RPM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ECL (@Chemicals: Specialty) experienced а +3.30% price change this week, while RPM (@Chemicals: Specialty) price change was +0.07% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Specialty industry was -0.32%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.98%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.69%.
Reported Earning Dates
ECL is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
RPM is expected to report earnings on Oct 07, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Chemicals: Specialty (-0.32% 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 | 78.1B | 13.7B | 570% |
| EBITDA | 3.91B | 1.2B | 327% |
| Gain YTD | 6.328 | 4.531 | 140% |
| P/E Ratio | 37.27 | 20.71 | 180% |
| Revenue | 16.5B | 7.86B | 210% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 315M | - |
| Total Debt | 9.27B | 2.88B | 322% |
ECL | RPM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 65 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 74 Overvalued | 34 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 55 | 66 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 45 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 50 | 56 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 57 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 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 (34) in the Industrial Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ECL (74) in the Chemicals Specialty industry. This means that RPM’s stock grew somewhat faster than ECL’s over the last 12 months.
ECL's Profit vs Risk Rating (55) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (66) 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 (43) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (45) 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 (50) 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's P/E Growth Rating (42) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (57) 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 (%) | 3 days ago 52% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 61% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 48% | 3 days ago 56% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 3 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 53% | 6 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 45% | 3 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 31% | 3 days ago 47% |
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ECL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ECL has been loosely correlated with RPM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ECL jumps, then RPM could also see price increases.