PNR vs. ECL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PNR (Pentair plc) and ECL (Ecolab Inc.) are both stocks. PNR operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials), while ECL operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials). Over the past 10 years, PNR returned 7.59%/yr vs 9.14%/yr for ECL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PNR vs. ECL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pentair plc (PNR) and Ecolab Inc. (ECL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PNR achieves a -31.01% return, which is significantly lower than ECL's -2.35% return. Over the past 10 years, PNR has underperformed ECL with an annualized return of 7.59%, while ECL has yielded a comparatively higher 9.14% annualized return.

PNR

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -7.30%
• YTD: -31.01%
• 6M: -32.52%
• 1Y: -27.56%
• 3Y*: 8.11%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

ECL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: -2.35%
• 6M: -2.75%
• 1Y: -2.67%
• 3Y*: 15.08%
• 5Y*: 4.63%
• 10Y*: 9.14%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PNR vs. ECL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PNR Pentair plc	-31.01%	4.53%	40.00%	64.16%	-37.38%	39.24%	17.89%	23.68%	-18.87%	28.67%
ECL Ecolab Inc.	-2.35%	13.19%	19.29%	37.94%	-37.10%	9.38%	13.17%	32.26%	11.07%	15.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PNR and ECL is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 6, 1988	0.36

The correlation between PNR and ECL shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap PNR : $11.70B ECL : $72.53B
EPS PNR : $4.07 ECL : $7.40
PE Ratio PNR : 17.55 ECL : 34.56
PEG Ratio PNR : 3.14 ECL : 1.83
PS Ratio PNR : 2.80 ECL : 4.42
PB Ratio PNR : 3.07 ECL : 7.25
Total Revenue (TTM) PNR : $4.20B ECL : $16.45B
Gross Profit (TTM) PNR : $1.72B ECL : $7.29B
EBITDA (TTM) PNR : $922.00M ECL : $3.28B

Return for Risk

PNR vs. ECL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PNR

PNR Risk / Return Rank: 6
PNR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PNR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PNR Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PNR Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PNR Martin Ratio Rank: 1

ECL

ECL Risk / Return Rank: 32
ECL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
ECL Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
ECL Omega Ratio Rank: 29
ECL Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ECL Martin Ratio Rank: 34

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PNR vs. ECL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pentair plc (PNR) and Ecolab Inc. (ECL). 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.

	PNR	ECL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.02	-0.13	-0.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.32	-0.04	-1.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.00	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.76	-0.13	-0.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.96	-0.32	-1.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PNR vs. ECL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PNR Sharpe Ratio is -1.02, which is lower than the ECL Sharpe Ratio of -0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PNR and ECL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PNR	ECL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.02	-0.13	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.20	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.37	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.55	-0.25

Drawdowns

PNR vs. ECL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PNR drawdown since its inception was -77.65%, which is greater than ECL's maximum drawdown of -47.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PNR and ECL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PNR	ECL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.65%	-47.19%	-30.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.62%	-20.09%	-16.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.62%	-20.09%	-16.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.47%	-43.70%	-6.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.34%	-43.70%	-8.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.04%	-16.86%	-19.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.44%	-7.98%	-11.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.05%	8.38%	+5.67%

Volatility

PNR vs. ECL - Volatility Comparison

Pentair plc (PNR) has a higher volatility of 7.65% compared to Ecolab Inc. (ECL) at 6.94%. This indicates that PNR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ECL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PNR	ECL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.65%	6.94%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.37%	15.59%	+7.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.16%	20.46%	+6.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.82%	23.81%	+5.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.29%	24.99%	+4.30%

Dividends

PNR vs. ECL - Dividend Comparison

PNR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, more than ECL's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECL Ecolab Inc.	1.08%	1.02%	1.01%	1.09%	1.42%	0.83%	0.87%	0.96%	1.15%	1.13%	1.21%	1.17%
PNR Pentair plc	1.46%	0.96%	0.91%	1.21%	1.87%	1.10%	1.43%	1.57%	2.17%	1.95%	2.39%	2.58%

Financials

PNR vs. ECL - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Pentair plc and Ecolab Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

PNR - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pentair plc reported a gross profit of 433.40M and revenue of 1.04B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 41.8%.

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%.

PNR - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pentair plc reported an operating income of 210.00M and revenue of 1.04B, resulting in an operating margin of 20.3%.

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%.

PNR - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pentair plc reported a net income of 172.40M and revenue of 1.04B, resulting in a net margin of 16.6%.

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%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PNR and ECL in my portfolio?

PNR and ECL have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PNR or ECL?

PNR has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to ECL (6.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PNR dropped -77.65% vs ECL's -47.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.13 vs -1.02), 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.