Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) had its price target raised by research analysts at Credit Suisse Group from $129.00 to $137.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the basic materials company’s stock. Credit Suisse Group’s target price suggests a potential downside of 0.83% from the company’s previous close.
Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ECL. Boenning Scattergood reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $144.00 to $143.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $140.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup downgraded shares of Ecolab from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $139.00.
Ecolab (NYSE ECL) traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $138.15. 1,190,000 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,120,000. Ecolab has a 1-year low of $119.09 and a 1-year high of $140.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market cap of $39,910.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.11, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.05.
In other news, EVP Michael A. Hickey sold 19,300 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.54, for a total value of $2,654,522.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 43,262 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,950,255.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Bruno Lavandier sold 347 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.77, for a total transaction of $46,765.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,615 shares in the company, valued at $1,026,273.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 57,446 shares of company stock worth $7,886,307. 1.49% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Schaper Benz & Wise Investment Counsel Inc. WI increased its holdings in Ecolab by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Schaper Benz & Wise Investment Counsel Inc. WI now owns 47,347 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $6,353,000 after buying an additional 1,605 shares during the period. Advisor Partners LLC lifted its position in Ecolab by 23.3% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Partners LLC now owns 3,637 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $508,000 after purchasing an additional 688 shares during the period. Meag Munich Ergo Kapitalanlagegesellschaft MBH acquired a new position in Ecolab during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,688,000. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI lifted its position in Ecolab by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI now owns 21,782 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,923,000 after purchasing an additional 5,710 shares during the period. Finally, Eqis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Ecolab during the 4th quarter valued at about $241,000. 76.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About Ecolab
Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. The Company’s cleaning and sanitizing programs and products, pest elimination services and equipment maintenance and repair services support customers in the foodservice, food and beverage processing, hospitality, healthcare, government and education, retail, textile care and commercial facilities management sectors in over 170 countries.
