Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-one analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, thirteen have issued a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $295.1429.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on ECL. Barclays increased their target price on Ecolab from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Ecolab from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Ecolab from $303.00 to $300.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI raised Ecolab from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $265.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of Ecolab in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock.

Ecolab Trading Up 1.7%

ECL stock opened at $257.70 on Thursday. Ecolab has a 52 week low of $221.62 and a 52 week high of $286.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.70. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $267.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.98. The company has a market capitalization of $72.99 billion, a PE ratio of 37.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.98.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The basic materials company reported $2.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.07. Ecolab had a net margin of 12.49% and a return on equity of 22.55%. The firm had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.57 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Ecolab has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.020-2.120 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 7.480-7.580 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Ecolab will post 7.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Ecolab Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be given a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. This is a positive change from Ecolab’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. Ecolab’s dividend payout ratio is 37.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director David Maclennan bought 750 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $257.60 per share, for a total transaction of $193,200.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 23,035 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,933,816. The trade was a 3.37% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Boo Alexander A. De sold 1,422 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.25, for a total transaction of $381,451.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 5,726 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,535,999.50. This represents a 19.89% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.04% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ecolab

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ECL. Modern Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ecolab during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $284,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI raised its stake in shares of Ecolab by 1,189.2% during the 1st quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 144,392 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $36,606,000 after purchasing an additional 133,192 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Ecolab by 2.0% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 437,180 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $117,794,000 after buying an additional 8,608 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in Ecolab by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 108,125 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $29,133,000 after purchasing an additional 989 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Ecolab in the second quarter worth $29,956,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.91% of the company’s stock.

Ecolab Company Profile

Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries.