Ecolab Inc (ECL)vsSterling Construction Company Inc (STRL)
ECL
Ecolab Inc
$257.97
+1.43%
BASIC MATERIALS · Cap: $75.59B
STRL
Sterling Construction Company Inc
$882.43
-11.20%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $26.36B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Ecolab Inc generates 470% more annual revenue ($16.45B vs $2.88B). ECL leads profitability with a 12.8% profit margin vs 12.0%. STRL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.47. STRL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).
ECL
Buy57
out of 100
Grade: C
STRL
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit
Revenue surging 91.6% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 141.4% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Weak financial health signals
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 24.4x book value
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ECL
The strongest argument for ECL centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity.
Bull Case : STRL
The strongest argument for STRL centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 91.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.47 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : ECL
The primary concerns for ECL are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.
Bear Case : STRL
The primary concerns for STRL are P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 76.9x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ECL profiles as a value stock while STRL is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
STRL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.82 — expect wider price swings.
STRL is growing revenue faster at 91.6% — sustainability is the question.
STRL generates stronger free cash flow (146M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
STRL scores higher overall (69/100 vs 57/100) and 91.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Ecolab Inc
BASIC MATERIALS · SPECIALTY CHEMICALS · USA
Ecolab Inc., headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is an American corporation that develops and offers services, technology and systems that specialize in water treatment, purification, cleaning and hygiene in a wide variety of applications. It helps organizations both private market as well as public treat their water, not only for drinking directly, but also for use in food, healthcare, hospitality related safety and industry.
Sterling Construction Company Inc
INDUSTRIALS · ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION · USA
Sterling Construction Company, Inc., a construction company, engages in residential construction, specialty services, and heavy civil activities primarily in the southern United States, the Rocky Mountain states, California, and Hawaii. The company is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
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