ECL vs. ITW
ECL (Ecolab Inc.) and ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.) are both stocks. ECL operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials), while ITW operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, ECL returned 9.50%/yr vs 11.91%/yr for ITW. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ECL vs. ITW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ECL achieves a 1.37% return, which is significantly lower than ITW's 5.18% return. Over the past 10 years, ECL has underperformed ITW with an annualized return of 9.50%, while ITW has yielded a comparatively higher 11.91% annualized return.
ECL
- 1D
- 0.68%
- 1M
- 7.18%
- YTD
- 1.37%
- 6M
- 1.24%
- 1Y
- 1.50%
- 3Y*
- 14.71%
- 5Y*
- 5.51%
- 10Y*
- 9.50%
ITW
- 1D
- 1.17%
- 1M
- 3.94%
- YTD
- 5.18%
- 6M
- 1.05%
- 1Y
- 9.30%
- 3Y*
- 4.14%
- 5Y*
- 4.45%
- 10Y*
- 11.91%
ECL vs. ITW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECL Ecolab Inc. | 1.37% | 13.19% | 19.29% | 37.94% | -37.10% | 9.38% | 13.17% | 32.26% | 11.07% | 15.80% |
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 5.18% | -0.43% | -0.97% | 21.56% | -8.46% | 23.60% | 16.42% | 45.60% | -22.10% | 38.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between ECL and ITW is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1988 | 0.44 |
The correlation between ECL and ITW shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (all time) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
ECL:
$7.40
ITW:
$14.33
ECL:
35.88
ITW:
17.96
ECL:
1.90
ITW:
2.98
ECL:
4.59
ITW:
3.47
ECL:
$16.45B
ITW:
$16.22B
ECL:
$7.29B
ITW:
$7.16B
ECL:
$3.28B
ITW:
$4.61B
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Return for Risk
ECL vs. ITW — Risk / Return Rank
ECL
ITW
ECL vs. ITW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ecolab Inc. (ECL) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ECL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.08 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 0.42 | -0.47 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.12 | 0.92 | -1.04 |
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Drawdowns
ECL vs. ITW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ECL drawdown since its inception was -47.19%, smaller than the maximum ITW drawdown of -54.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECL and ITW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ECL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.19% | -54.90% | +7.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.09% | -17.44% | -2.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.09% | -20.63% | +0.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.70% | -28.05% | -15.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.70% | -37.85% | -5.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.70% | -13.53% | -0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.98% | -9.84% | +1.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.77% | 7.95% | +0.82% |
Volatility
ECL vs. ITW - Volatility Comparison
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) has a higher volatility of 7.47% compared to Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) at 4.87%. This indicates that ECL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ECL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.47% | 4.87% | +2.60% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.88% | 15.90% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.01% | 20.53% | +0.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.89% | 21.13% | +2.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.02% | 23.82% | +1.20% |
Dividends
ECL vs. ITW - Dividend Comparison
ECL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than ITW's 2.46% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECL Ecolab Inc. | 1.04% | 1.02% | 1.01% | 1.09% | 1.42% | 0.83% | 0.87% | 0.96% | 1.15% | 1.13% | 1.21% | 1.17% |
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 2.46% | 2.53% | 2.29% | 2.07% | 2.30% | 1.91% | 2.17% | 2.30% | 2.81% | 1.71% | 1.96% | 2.23% |
Financials
ECL vs. ITW - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Ecolab Inc. and Illinois Tool Works Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
ECL vs. ITW - Profitability Comparison
ECL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ecolab Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.77B and revenue of 4.07B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 43.6%.
ITW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.76B and revenue of 4.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 43.8%.
ECL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ecolab Inc. reported an operating income of 622.00M and revenue of 4.07B, resulting in an operating margin of 15.3%.
ITW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported an operating income of 1.02B and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 25.4%.
ECL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ecolab Inc. reported a net income of 432.60M and revenue of 4.07B, resulting in a net margin of 10.6%.
ITW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a net income of 768.00M and revenue of 4.02B, resulting in a net margin of 19.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
ECL and ITW have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ECL has higher volatility (7.47%) compared to ITW (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECL dropped -47.19% vs ITW's -54.90%.
ITW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.36 vs -0.05), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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