Ecolab Inc. (ecl)
ECL — Company Overview
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) trades on NYQ as part of the Basic Materials peer group (Specialty Chemicals).
| Ticker | ECL |
| Sector | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals |
| Exchange | NYQ |
| Market cap | $77.57B |
| Last price | $276.72 |
| Size category | Large Cap |
ECL — Business Description
ECL represents a Specialty Chemicals business in the Basic Materials segment. Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Global Water, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Pest Elimination, and Global Life Sciences. The Global Water segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, primary metals and mining, power generation, global refining, petrochemical, pulp and paper industries. The Global Institutional & Specialty segment provides cleaning and sanitizing products to the foodservice, healthcare, hospitality, lodging, government, educat…
Official website: https://www.ecolab.com.
ECL — Investment Thesis
At a high level, ECL offers exposure to Basic Materials with metrics outlined below from public market data.
- Revenue is expanding at roughly 9.7% year-over-year (public data).
- Trailing P/E of 36.31× implies elevated growth expectations at the current price.
- Forward P/E (29.39×) is below trailing P/E — earnings may be expected to improve.
- Dividend yield near 1.1% adds an income component to total return.
- Equity market capitalization is approximately $77.57B.
See the free estimates and earnings pages for public targets and growth metrics. Ownership, live news, and deeper models remain in Vest Terminal.
ECL — Financial Health
Key financial health indicators for Ecolab Inc. are derived exclusively from public data — no proprietary estimates.
Profit margin near 12.6% leaves a narrower cushion versus higher-margin peers. Positive free cash flow of $1.47B supports balance-sheet flexibility. Debt-to-equity of 138.02 warrants monitoring in a higher-rate environment.
| Trailing P/E | 36.31× |
| Forward P/E | 29.39× |
| Price / Sales | 4.61× |
| Price / Book | 7.71× |
| Gross margin | 44.2% |
| Operating margin | 18.5% |
| Profit margin | 12.6% |
| Return on equity | 22.0% |
| Debt / Equity | 138.02 |
| Free cash flow | $1.47B |
ECL — Growth Outlook
Growth outlook for Ecolab Inc. (ECL) depends on demand trends in Specialty Chemicals and the company's ability to convert revenue into sustainable earnings.
- Revenue growth of 9.7% suggests steady but measured expansion.
- Earnings growth of 3.3% year-over-year supports improving profitability.
- Price is 10.5% below the 52-week high.
- Shares trade 13.8% above the 52-week low — limited rebound so far.
ECL — Competitive Position
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) is evaluated against peers on scale, margin structure, and capital efficiency within Basic Materials.
- Competes within Basic Materials, specifically in Specialty Chemicals.
- Market capitalization of $77.57B places ECL among large-cap peers.
- Gross margin near 44.2% may reflect pricing power or favorable mix.
ECL — Strengths
Strengths for Ecolab Inc. (ECL) inferred from public financial metrics:
- Revenue growth of 9.7% year-over-year.
- Earnings growth of 3.3% year-over-year.
- Return on equity near 22.0% — efficient use of shareholder capital.
- Gross margin of 44.2% supports competitive unit economics.
- Positive free cash flow ($1.47B).
- Large Cap scale ($77.57B) may provide distribution and funding advantages.
ECL — Weaknesses
Weaknesses and pressure points for Ecolab Inc. (ECL) based on available data:
- Elevated trailing P/E (36.31×) limits valuation margin of safety.
ECL — Opportunities
- Sustained revenue growth (9.7%) could support multiple expansion if margins hold.
- Trading 13.8% above the 52-week low — potential recovery if fundamentals stabilize.
- Positive free cash flow enables reinvestment, debt reduction, or shareholder returns.
- Forward earnings multiple below trailing P/E — potential earnings acceleration ahead.
ECL — Risks
- Standard market, regulatory, competitive, and execution risks apply to all public equities.
ECL — Summary
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) is a large-cap Basic Materials company focused on Specialty Chemicals, listed on NYQ. Last price $276.72 with market cap $77.57B. Trailing P/E 36.31×. Revenue grew 9.7% year-over-year per public data. Notable strengths include revenue growth of 9.7% year-over-year. Key watch items include elevated trailing p/e (36.31×) limits valuation margin of safety. Premium Terminal tools for Ecolab Inc. add ownership analytics, news, and richer estimate history beyond this public summary.
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Ecolab Inc. FAQ
What does Ecolab Inc. (ECL) do?
Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Global Water, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Pest Elimination, and Global Life Sciences. The Globa…
What is ECL's P/E ratio?
Ecolab Inc. has a trailing P/E of 36.31× based on publicly available market data.
Does ECL pay a dividend?
Indicated dividend yield: 1.1%. Confirm ex-dates and payout history in Vest Terminal.
What sector is ECL in?
Ecolab Inc. is classified in Basic Materials (Specialty Chemicals) on NYQ.
What is ECL's market capitalization?
Approximate market cap: $77.57B.
What are the main risks for ECL?
Key risks include elevated valuation, among factors on this page.
What are the strengths of ECL?
Potential positives include revenue growth of 9.7% year-over-year, earnings growth of 3.3% year-over-year.
Where can I get analyst estimates for ECL?
Public analyst price targets and consensus for Ecolab Inc. are on the free /stocks/ecl/estimates page. Deeper estimate history and models are available in Vest Terminal.