Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The basic materials company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $4.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.39 billion. Ecolab had a net margin of 12.80% and a return on equity of 22.64%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.89 EPS. Ecolab updated its Q3 2026 guidance to 2.130-2.230 EPS.

Ecolab Trading Up 3.0%

NYSE:ECL opened at $279.46 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Ecolab has a 12 month low of $243.15 and a 12 month high of $309.27. The company has a market cap of $78.65 billion, a PE ratio of 37.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $267.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $273.19.

Ecolab Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 16th were issued a $0.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 16th. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Ecolab’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.51%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Suzanne M. Vautrinot sold 1,004 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.98, for a total value of $266,039.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 11,651 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,087,281.98. The trade was a 7.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Benjamin M. Clark acquired 1,000 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $263.83 per share, with a total value of $263,830.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 1,083 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $285,727.89. The trade was a 1,204.82% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders purchased 10,550 shares of company stock worth $2,719,508. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ECL. Wexford Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Ecolab during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ecolab in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ecolab in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Ecolab during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Greenline Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Ecolab during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 74.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ECL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Ecolab from $337.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Citigroup raised their price target on Ecolab from $325.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $337.00 price target on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. UBS Group raised Ecolab from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $293.00 to $325.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Ecolab from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $320.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $324.06.

About Ecolab

Ecolab, Inc is a global provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. The company develops and supplies cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, dispensing equipment, water-treatment systems, pest elimination services and related technologies designed to help businesses maintain clean, safe and efficient operations. Its offerings span both products and onsite services, often paired with technical support and training.

Ecolab serves a broad range of end markets including hospitality and foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, manufacturing and industrial operations, and energy and utilities.