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ECL vs RPM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Ecolab (ECL) vs. RPM International (RPM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ECL is leveraged to water, hygiene, and high-tech data-center growth, while RPM is anchored to specialty coatings, sealants, and construction end markets.
- Ecolab has raised its 2026 earnings outlook on accelerating sales and margin expansion, though its valuation remains elevated relative to the chemicals sector.
- RPM International delivered record fiscal 2026 results across all segments, supported by construction demand and stronger cash flow, but faces near-term raw-material inflation.
- The two stocks occupy different risk profiles: ECL carries higher growth expectations and a richer multiple, while RPM offers a more value-oriented setup with steadier earnings.
- Recent market positioning favors ECL's momentum, though RPM's earnings beat and upbeat guidance have improved its near-term sentiment.
Introduction
Investors screening the specialty chemicals and materials space often weigh growth-oriented franchises against steadier, value-focused operators. This stock comparison examines ECL (Ecolab Inc.), a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection-prevention solutions, against RPM (RPM International Inc.), a diversified maker of specialty coatings, sealants, and building materials. Although both operate in adjacent industrial categories, their growth drivers, end-market exposure, and market positioning differ meaningfully. The relative performance of these two names is relevant to traders assessing momentum and to long-term investors comparing the trade-off between premium growth and value. The sections below break down recent developments and how each stock stacks up today.
ECL Overview and Recent Performance
Ecolab Inc. provides water treatment, cleaning, sanitizing, and pest-elimination products and services to industrial, institutional, and life-sciences customers worldwide. In recent quarters, the company has emphasized higher-growth segments, including Global High-Tech, which serves microelectronics and data centers through circular water management and liquid-cooling capabilities. The pending CoolIT acquisition expands Ecolab's direct-to-chip cooling platform for AI (artificial intelligence) data centers, while the earlier Ovivo Electronics deal added ultrapure-water scale.
Recent financial results have shown accelerating momentum. Second-quarter adjusted EPS (earnings per share) rose 11% year over year on 5% organic sales growth, and management raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $8.05 to $8.25. High-Tech organic sales have grown rapidly, supported by data-center demand. Shares rallied roughly 12% over a three-month stretch before cooling, with year-to-date gains moderating to the low single digits. Investors are weighing that momentum against a higher debt load tied to acquisitions and a P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio that remains well above the chemicals industry average.
RPM Overview and Recent Performance
RPM International Inc. manufactures specialty coatings, sealants, adhesives, and building materials across three segments: Construction Products, Performance Coatings, and Consumer. Its brands serve construction, infrastructure, and do-it-yourself markets, with a North American emphasis complemented by expanding emerging-market sales. The company has pursued efficiency gains through its MAP (Margin Achievement Plan) initiatives and SG&A (selling, general, and administrative) optimization.
RPM's most recent quarter, its fiscal fourth quarter, produced record results in all three segments. Adjusted EPS beat consensus, and net sales rose 7.2% year over year, led by an 8.8% gain in Construction Products and 5% growth in Performance Coatings. For fiscal 2026, operating cash flow climbed to roughly $899 million, and total debt declined. Management guided to fiscal 2027 sales growth of 3% to 7% and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) growth of 5% to 10%. The main near-term headwind is raw-material inflation, expected to run 5% to 8% in the first half of the fiscal year, alongside continued softness in consumer DIY demand. Shares have underperformed the broader market year to date despite a post-earnings rally.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between ECL and RPM lies in growth profile versus valuation. Ecolab is shifting its portfolio toward faster-growing, higher-margin areas such as data-center cooling and life sciences, which supports premium earnings growth but carries a substantially higher earnings multiple and a heavier debt burden from recent M&A (mergers and acquisitions). RPM is more exposed to construction and maintenance demand, which tends to be cyclical but currently benefits from infrastructure and high-performance building activity; its forward earnings multiple sits closer to historical norms.
Momentum also diverges. Ecolab's recent rally reflects enthusiasm around AI-linked data-center demand, though the advance has cooled near term. RPM's stock has lagged the market this year, but a record quarter and upbeat guidance improved its outlook. Risk factors differ as well: Ecolab faces integration and financing risk from acquisitions, while RPM contends with raw-material inflation and a soft consumer segment. On sentiment, Ecolab's higher growth expectations leave less room for error, whereas RPM's steadier earnings and stronger cash flow offer a more defensive profile.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor ECL for trend consistency and catalyst-driven momentum. Ecolab combines accelerating organic sales, raised guidance, and a clear secular growth narrative in data-center water and cooling, which tends to support sustained directional signals. RPM's improving fundamentals and record results are notable, but its relative price underperformance and near-term cost inflation suggest a less decisive trend setup. That said, the verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: valuation risk and acquisition-related leverage could temper ECL's advantage, while any resolution of RPM's cost pressures could narrow the gap. Traders should treat this comparison as one input among several.
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 Buy and RPM is a StrongBuy.
ECL in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026
ECL moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 29 of 43 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ECL as a result. In 54 of 81 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ECL just turned positive on October 05, 2026. Looking at past instances where ECL's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 31 of 51 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
The 10-day moving average for ECL crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 9 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
Following a +1.80% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ECL advanced for three days, in 173 of 330 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for ECL moved out of overbought territory on October 16, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 23 of the 50 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 46%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 38 of 68 cases where ECL's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 56%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ECL declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 53%.
The Aroon Indicator for ECL entered a downward trend on October 08, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 30 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. ECL’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 35 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 52 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 89 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (8.031) is normal, around the industry mean (2.359). P/E Ratio (38.412) is within average values for comparable stocks, (-17.286). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.525) is also within normal values, averaging (1.548). Dividend Yield (0.010) settles around the average of (0.040) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.621) is also within normal values, averaging (48.960).
RPM in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026
RPM moved above its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 23 of 35 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 66%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where RPM's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 19 of 34 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on RPM as a result. In 45 of 79 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for RPM just turned positive on September 23, 2026. Looking at past instances where RPM's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 28 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Following a +1.14% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where RPM advanced for three days, in 165 of 288 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The 50-day moving average for RPM moved below the 200-day moving average on October 07, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where RPM declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 59%.
RPM broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for RPM entered a downward trend on October 13, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 29 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 53 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 58 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. RPM’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 59 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 76 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.850) is normal, around the industry mean (2.359). P/E Ratio (19.245) is within average values for comparable stocks, (-17.286). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.663) is also within normal values, averaging (1.548). Dividend Yield (0.023) settles around the average of (0.040) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.619) is also within normal values, averaging (48.960).
ECL | RPM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 28 | 11 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 89 Overvalued | 76 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 52 | 59 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 45 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 30 | 58 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 53 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 29 |
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 (76) in the Industrial Specialties industry is in the same range as ECL (89) 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 (52) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (59) 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 (45) 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 (30) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (58) 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 (35) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as RPM (53) 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 (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 56% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 62% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 52% | 15 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 53% | 4 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 50% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 51% | 1 day ago 52% |
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 overvalued. 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 while RPM’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 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 +0.13% price change this week, while RPM (@Chemicals: Specialty) price change was +1.97% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Specialty industry was +0.09%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.67%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.75%.
Reported Earning Dates
ECL is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
RPM is expected to report earnings on Jan 06, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Chemicals: Specialty (+0.09% 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.
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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.
RPM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RPM has been closely correlated with PPG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RPM jumps, then PPG could also see price increases.