Although the revenue and EPS for Ecolab (ECL) give a sense of how its business performed in the quarter ended December 2024, it might be worth considering how some key metrics compare with Wall Street estimates and the year-ago numbers.
Ecolab (ECL) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.81 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.79 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.55 per share a year ago.
Robust segmental performances are likely to have driven ECL's performance in the fourth quarter.
Besides Wall Street's top -and-bottom-line estimates for Ecolab (ECL), review projections for some of its key metrics to gain a deeper understanding of how the company might have fared during the quarter ended December 2024.
ECL continues to gain from its robust product portfolio and strong segmental performance.
Ecolab (ECL) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
ECL continues to gain from its strong segmental performance and improved operating margin.
Evercore ISI raised the firm's price target on Ecolab to $265 from $250 and keeps an In Line rating on the shares as a new analyst took over coverage of the stock and 10 other chemical names. Dissonance between sputtering industrial demand into year-end and prospects for a "less bad" 2025 has "muddled the forward outlook for chemicals investors" and the firm's sense is further EBITDA and EPS cuts coming to Q1 and FY25 "are needed to clear the deck," the analyst says. However, Evercore suspects the stocks "move sharply higher with signs of improving demand, so begin to position accordingly," the analyst added.
ECL continues to gain from its strong segmental performance and improved operating margin.
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Ecolab Inc. operates globally across five segments, employing 48,000 people, with a market cap of $70B. Since 1990, Ecolab's stock has delivered a total return of over 11,000%, averaging 14.5% annually and outpacing the typical market return. Ecolab's diversified business model and strong historical performance make it a compelling investment opportunity.
Ecolab reported strong financial results with 4% organic revenue growth and 22% adjusted operating profit growth, yet I believe the stock is overvalued. The company's value-based pricing and innovative products are driving growth, but I assign a 'Sell' rating with a fair value of $220 per share. Ecolab's pest control and infection prevention markets are projected to grow, but cost pressures and competition pose risks.