DailyIQ
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Sector:Basic MaterialsAll sectors
Last updated 4 minutes ago

ECL·Ecolab Inc.

$.
+. (+.%)
After Hours
High
$275.74
Open
$269.06
Market Cap
77.03B
52W High
$309.27
Low
$268.00
P. Close
$275.72
P/E
36.58
52W Low
$243.15
Fwd P/E
29.45
DailyIQ Est.
$325.35
Technical Score (1D)
73
BUY
News Sentiment
-
NO DATA
Ecolab has revised its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance upward to $8.03‑$8.23, reflecting the completion of the CoolIT Systems acquisition and associated non‑cash amortization and financing costs. The new guidance signals a stronger outlook for the company’s core hygiene and water‑care businesses, with 7‑9% year‑over‑year EPS growth and 6‑7% organic sales growth projected for the second half of 2026. Traders should watch how the company’s earnings release in July aligns with this updated guidance, particularly any commentary on margin dynamics or capital allocation that could influence short‑term valuation. The CoolIT acquisition is expected to add $0.20 per share in Q3 and Q4, indicating a near‑term revenue lift that could prop up earnings momentum in the next few trading sessions. Earlier in the year, Deutsche Bank upgraded ECL to a Buy and raised its price target to $335, citing confidence in earnings outlook and margin expansion, which may reinforce the positive sentiment surrounding the new guidance. RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating with a $337 target, emphasizing strong core business and margin expansion potential, further supporting the view that the company is positioned for growth amid competitive pressures. The company’s pricing strategy to offset commodity inflation through surcharges, as noted by RBC, is expected to support robust growth in the second half of 2026, providing a cushion against input cost pressures. Investors should monitor the integration progress of CoolIT, including any early revenue contributions and cost synergies, as these will determine whether the propelling mandate from the acquisition materializes in the near term. Additionally, the antiscalants market is projected to grow to $6.56 billion by 2031, with ECL positioned as a key player, suggesting potential upside from expanding water treatment demand that could feed into the company’s long‑term growth narrative. Finally, keep an eye on any updates from ECL regarding its data center vertical, which currently offers long‑term upside but modest revenue contribution, as further scaling or M&A activity could alter the valuation narrative within the next trading week.
Earnings Summary
Ecolab Inc. is a global provider of water, hygiene, and infection‑prevention solutions, serving industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality through a multi‑channel distribution model. The company operates within the basic materials sector, specifically the specialty chemicals industry, and has a diversified portfolio that includes industrial, institutional, healthcare, and pest‑elimination segments. Over the last four quarters, Ecolab reported revenue of $4.005B in Q4 2024, $3.695B in Q1 2025, $4.025B in Q2 2025, and $4.165B in Q3 2025, with a year‑over‑year increase of roughly 4% to 6% each quarter; revenue in Q4 2025 rose to $4.196B, slightly below the $4.198B estimate, and Q1 2026 revenue of $4.066B beat the $4.029B estimate. EPS performance mirrored revenue trends, with $1.81 versus $1.798 in Q4 2024, $1.50 versus $1.499 in Q1 2025, $1.89 versus $1.896 in Q2 2025, $2.07 versus $2.072 in Q3 2025, $2.08 versus $2.067 in Q4 2025, and $1.70 versus $1.698 in Q1 2026, indicating a pattern of EPS beats in most quarters but a decline in Q1 2026. Historically, Ecolab has delivered consistent revenue growth and EPS above consensus, reinforcing its market‑leading position, though recent data‑center vertical performance has raised valuation concerns. Recent analyst commentary notes Deutsche Bank’s upgrade to a buy rating and a $335 price target, RBC’s view that pricing surcharges will offset commodity inflation, and the completion of the $4.75B CoolIT Systems acquisition, which is expected to add a high‑margin growth engine; the company’s updated 2026 EPS guidance reflects a $0.20 per share impact from CoolIT in Q3/Q4. Investors should watch the upcoming Q2 2026 earnings release for guidance on revenue contribution from CoolIT, pricing strategy in the data‑center vertical, and margin resilience, as these factors will be key to assessing whether the recent acquisitions and pricing initiatives translate into sustained earnings growth.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$1.41$1.60$1.79$1.98$2.17Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$2.08 - -
Q1'26$1.70$1.70+0.1%
Q4'25$2.07$2.08+0.6%
Q3'25$2.07$2.07-0.1%
Q2'25$1.90$1.89-0.3%
Q1'25$1.50$1.50+0.1%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$3.6B$3.8B$4.1B$4.3B$4.5BQ1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$4.4B - -
Q1'26$4.0B$4.1B+0.9%
Q4'25$4.2B$4.2B-0.1%
Q3'25 - $4.2B -
Q2'25 - $4.0B -
Q1'25 - $3.7B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
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Market Data

ECL Stock Snapshot

ECL is currently trading at $275.71, giving Ecolab Inc. a market cap of 77.03B and a P/E ratio of 36.6. Today's range spans $268.00–$275.74, with shares opening at $269.06 and moving down $0.01 (0.0%) from the prior close. DailyIQ's technical score sits at 73/100 (BUY).

Over the past year ECL has traded between $243.15 and $309.27 - the current price is +13.4% off the 52-week low and -10.9% from the high. 34 analysts cover the stock with a Buy consensus and a mean 12-month target of $319.40 (range $275.00–$345.00), implying upside of +15.8%.

Ecolab Inc. (ECL) sits at $275.71 (in the middle of its 52-week range within $243.15–$309.27), scoring 73/100 (BUY) with neutral sentiment at -/100. At 77.03B in Basic Materials market cap (P/E: 36.6), this large-cap is right in the zone where buy-side analysts get excited and allocation committees approve new position additions. A bullish technical phase with sentiment confirmation is the green light most of them are looking for.

Earnings revision cycles in large-cap Basic Materials names tend to compound: when technicals confirm a BUY thesis (73/100) and news sentiment (-/100, neutral) supports the narrative, analyst upgrades follow price rather than lead it. At $275.71 (in the middle of its 52-week range), ECL's position within the $243.15–$309.27 annual range suggests there's room for multiple expansion before the stock encounters meaningful technical resistance.