Ecolab Inc. (ECL)
Here's Why You Should Add Ecolab (ECL) to Your Portfolio Now
Ecolab Inc. ECL has been gaining from its focus on research and development (R&D). The optimism, led by a solid first-quarter 2024 performance, along with its solid product portfolio, is expected to contribute further.
Why Is Ecolab (ECL) Up 0.5% Since Last Earnings Report?
Ecolab (ECL) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?
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Here's Why You Should Add Ecolab (ECL) to Your Portfolio Now
Ecolab's (ECL) focus on research and development raises optimism about the stock.
International Assets Investment Management LLC Sells 98 Shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)
International Assets Investment Management LLC trimmed its position in Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL – Free Report) by 3.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,803 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 98 shares during the quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Ecolab were worth $556,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ECL. Prio Wealth Limited Partnership raised its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 526.2% during the 4th quarter. Prio Wealth Limited Partnership now owns 56,959 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $11,298,000 after buying an additional 47,863 shares in the last quarter. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc acquired a new position in Ecolab during the fourth quarter worth about $35,040,000. Vest Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 167,017 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $33,128,000 after acquiring an additional 47,351 shares during the last quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC increased its position in Ecolab by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC now owns 183,159 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $36,428,000 after purchasing an additional 9,365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lifted its stake in Ecolab by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 3,830 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $760,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. 74.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ECL shares. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Ecolab from $225.00 to $233.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Mizuho upgraded Ecolab from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the company from $216.00 to $260.00 in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Ecolab in a report on Wednesday, April 3rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $260.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $232.00 to $243.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, Barclays raised shares of Ecolab from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $225.00 to $260.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $236.88. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Ecolab Ecolab Price Performance Shares of ECL opened at $233.66 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $66.73 billion, a PE ratio of 43.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.09. Ecolab Inc. has a 52-week low of $156.72 and a 52-week high of $234.68. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $226.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $208.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.41. Ecolab (NYSE:ECL – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.01. Ecolab had a net margin of 10.01% and a return on equity of 20.56%. The business had revenue of $3.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.74 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.88 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Ecolab Inc. will post 6.59 EPS for the current year. Ecolab Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 18th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Ecolab’s dividend payout ratio is 42.22%. Insider Transactions at Ecolab In other Ecolab news, Director David Maclennan purchased 650 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $227.37 per share, for a total transaction of $147,790.50. Following the purchase, the director now owns 17,111 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,890,528.07. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Arthur J. Higgins sold 4,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.52, for a total transaction of $1,023,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 25,548 shares in the company, valued at $5,812,680.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director David Maclennan acquired 650 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 3rd. The shares were bought at an average price of $227.37 per share, for a total transaction of $147,790.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 17,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,890,528.07. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.04% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Ecolab (Free Report) 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. 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