Air Products vs Ecolab (APD vs ECL)
Air Products (APD) vs Ecolab (ECL) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Air Products (APD) and Ecolab (ECL) compete in materials and chemicals. Here are Air Products and Ecolab side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Air Products or Ecolab.
Air Products vs Ecolab: the figures
| Figure | Air Products | Ecolab |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $318.87 (November 4, 2026) | $315.01 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $71.0 billion | $88.4 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | N/A | 42.9x |
| Forward P/E | 22.1x | 33.5x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +4.6% | +12.7% |
| Net margin (TTM) | -0.4% | 12.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.7x | 3.1x |
| Dividend yield | 2.31% | 0.96% |
| Beta | 0.67 | 0.86 |
Air Products and Ecolab figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Air Products or Ecolab figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Air Products and Ecolab
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Ecolab keeps 12.0 as net profit and Air Products keeps -0.4.
- Dividend: Air Products yields 2.31% at today's price and Ecolab yields 0.96%.
- Growth: Ecolab grew sales +12.7% year on year in its latest quarter, against +4.6% for Air Products.
Air Products or Ecolab: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Ecolab is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Air Products pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Ecolab has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
Neither Air Products nor Ecolab wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Air Products and Ecolab make money
Air Products (APD)
Air Products produces industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen and helium, delivered by pipeline from on-site plants, by truck or in cylinders. It reports geographic segments including Americas, Asia and Europe, and sells to refineries, chemical makers, steel mills, chip fabs and hospitals. Full Air Products analysis.
Ecolab (ECL)
Ecolab provides cleaning, sanitation and water treatment products and services to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, factories and data centers. Its segments are Global Industrial, which includes Nalco Water, Global Institutional and Specialty, Global Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Global Pest Elimination for pest control. Full Ecolab analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Air Products vs Ecolab
Is Air Products or Ecolab the better stock?
Choosing between Air Products and Ecolab depends on what you are looking for. Ecolab is growing faster right now. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Air Products or Ecolab: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Air Products or Ecolab?
As of November 4, 2026, Air Products yields 2.31% and Ecolab yields 0.96%. Also check how much of their profit Air Products and Ecolab pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Can I own both Air Products and Ecolab?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Air Products and Ecolab, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Air Products or Ecolab.
More comparisons with Air Products or Ecolab
More companies like Air Products and Ecolab: materials and chemicals stocks. Educational content about Air Products and Ecolab, not investment advice.