Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Monday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 8.030-8.230 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 8.370. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Ecolab Price Performance

ECL stock opened at $283.22 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $79.71 billion, a PE ratio of 38.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.89. Ecolab has a 1 year low of $243.15 and a 1 year high of $309.27. The company’s 50-day moving average is $263.02 and its 200-day moving average is $272.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The basic materials company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.70. The business had revenue of $4.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.03 billion. Ecolab had a return on equity of 22.64% and a net margin of 12.80%.The business’s revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.50 EPS. Ecolab has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.430-8.630 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 2.020-2.120 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Ecolab will post 8.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ecolab Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 16th will be given a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 16th. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Ecolab’s payout ratio is presently 39.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on ECL. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $325.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Ecolab from $320.00 to $296.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Ecolab from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $352.00 to $345.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $337.00 target price on shares of Ecolab in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $323.71.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Suzanne M. Vautrinot sold 1,004 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.98, for a total value of $266,039.92. Following the sale, the director owned 11,651 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,087,281.98. This represents a 7.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Darrell R. Brown sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.89, for a total transaction of $2,608,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 32,733 shares in the company, valued at $8,539,712.37. This trade represents a 23.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders bought a total of 10,550 shares of company stock worth $2,719,508 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wexford Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Ecolab during the third quarter valued at $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ecolab in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ecolab in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Ecolab in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Ecolab by 88.7% in the 3rd quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 117 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. 74.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ecolab

Ecolab, Inc is a global provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. The company develops and supplies cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, dispensing equipment, water-treatment systems, pest elimination services and related technologies designed to help businesses maintain clean, safe and efficient operations. Its offerings span both products and onsite services, often paired with technical support and training.

Ecolab serves a broad range of end markets including hospitality and foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, manufacturing and industrial operations, and energy and utilities.