Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Ecolab

Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the industrial manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and life sciences markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. Additionally, Ecolab sells customized water management solutions across its end markets. The company has a strong hold on the US market and is growing its presence abroad.

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Tesla To Rally More Than 11%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Tuesday

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This Tesla Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Upgrades For Tuesday

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This Booz Allen Hamilton Analyst Is No Longer Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Downgrades For Monday

Ecolab Inc

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Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Baird raised the price target for CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CYBR#NASDAQ">CYBR</a>) from $355 to $370. Baird analyst Shrenik Kothari maintained an Outperform rating. CyberArk Software shares closed at $319.16 on Monday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>Mizuho raised the price target for Rubrik, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBRK#NYSE">RBRK</a>) from $75 to $82. Mizuho analyst Gregg Moskowitz maintained an Outperform rating. Rubrik shares closed at $75.51 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RBRK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Deutsche Bank boosted the price target for Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PL#NYSE">PL</a>) from $4 to $4.5. Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu maintained a Buy rating. Planet Labs shares closed at $4.33 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities cut Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KNX#NYSE">KNX</a>) price target from $64 to $61. B of A Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintained a Buy rating. Knight-Swift Transportation shares settled at $54.92 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KNX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BMO Capital raised Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) price target from $279 to $290. BMO Capital analyst John McNulty upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform. Ecolab shares closed at $248.40 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ECL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Mizuho boosted Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) price target from $230 to $515. Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh upgraded the stock from Neutral to Outperform. Tesla shares closed at $463.02 on Monday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs cut Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>) price target from $145 to $121. Goldman Sachs analyst Brian Lee maintained a Buy rating. Enphase Energy shares closed at $71.62 on Monday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>Needham raised the price target for Alcon Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALC#NYSE">ALC</a>) from $103 to $108. Needham analyst David Saxon maintained a Buy rating. Alcon shares settled at $83.87 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ALC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley raised Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DGX#NYSE">DGX</a>) price target from $145 to $172. Morgan Stanley analyst Erin Wright upgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Quest Diagnostics shares closed at $152.65 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DGX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Jefferies slashed Frontline plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FRO#NYSE">FRO</a>) price target from $26 to $20. Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta maintained a Buy rating. Frontline shares closed at $13.81 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FRO/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying TSLA stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="579" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17082059/image-148-1024x579.png" alt="" class="wp-image-695772" style="width:605px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17082059/image-148-1024x579.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17082059/image-148-300x170.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17082059/image-148-768x434.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17082059/image-148.png 1136w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>BMO Capital analyst John McNulty upgraded the rating for Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and raised the price target from $279 to $290. Ecolab shares closed at $248.40 on Monday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus upgraded Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBH#NYSE">ZBH</a>) from Neutral to Overweight and increased the price target from $125 to $128. Zimmer Biomet shares closed at $106.85 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZBH/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Stifel analyst Adam Borg upgraded the rating for Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NET#NYSE">NET</a>) from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $95 to $136. Cloudflare shares closed at $114.65 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NET/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Erin Wright upgraded Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DGX#NYSE">DGX</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raised the price target from $145 to $172. Quest Diagnostics shares closed at $152.65 on Monday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh upgraded the rating for Tesla, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) from Neutral to Outperform and boosted the price target from $230 to $515. Tesla shares closed at $463.02 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying TSLA stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
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BMO Capital analyst John McNulty upgrades Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and raises the price target from $279 to $290.

BMO Capital Upgrades Ecolab to Outperform, Raises Price Target to $290

Dividends

Ecolab Increases Quarterly Dividend From $0.57 To $0.65

Ecolab's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) short percent of float has risen 6.94% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.90 million shares sold short, which is 0.77% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.82 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Ecolab Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732889716_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Ecolab has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Ecolab's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Ecolab's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.21%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Ecolab's Recent Short Interest

A substantial insider sell was reported on November 20, by WILLIAM GATES III, 10% Owner at Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>), based on the recent SEC filing.
What Happened: III's recent Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000031462/000110465924121085//Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465924121085/0001104659-24-121085-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Wednesday unveiled the sale of 163,458 shares of Ecolab. The total transaction value is $40,085,875.
As of Thursday morning, Ecolab shares are up by 0.1%, currently priced at $242.0.
<h3>Unveiling the Story Behind Ecolab</h3>
Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the industrial manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and life sciences markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. Additionally, Ecolab sells customized water management solutions across its end markets. The company has a strong hold on the US market and is growing its presence abroad.
<h3>Ecolab: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Revenue Growth: Ecolab displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 1.02%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.
Navigating Financial Profits:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: With a high gross margin of 43.44%, the company demonstrates effective cost control and strong profitability relative to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Ecolab's EPS is notably higher than the industry average. The company achieved a positive bottom-line trend with a current EPS of 2.6.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: Ecolab's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 0.97. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
Analyzing Market Valuation:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The current P/E ratio of 33.91 is below industry norms, indicating potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 4.42 as compared to the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Ecolab's EV/EBITDA ratio, surpassing industry averages at 19.56, positions it with an above-average valuation in the market.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
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<h3>The Importance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions should be considered alongside other factors when making investment decisions, as they can offer important insights.
Within the legal framework, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as per Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
The initiation of a new purchase by a company insider serves as a strong indication that they expect the stock to rise.
However, insider sells may not always signal a bearish view and can be influenced by various factors.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Insider Transaction Codes</h3>
When analyzing transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> tend to focus on those in the open market, detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase,while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000031462">Check Out The Full List Of Ecolab's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Ecolab 10% Owner Sold $40.09M In Company Stock

During the last three months, 13 analysts shared their evaluations of Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Ecolab and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $284.15, accompanied by a high estimate of $310.00 and a low estimate of $255.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 9.61% from the previous average price target of $259.23.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1731942015_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The perception of Ecolab by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Manav Patnaik</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Spector</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$276.00</td>
<td>$276.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ashish Sabadra</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$306.00</td>
<td>$306.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Zekauskas</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$255.00</td>
<td>$228.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John McNulty</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$279.00</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Andrews</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$263.00</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Wittmann</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$279.00</td>
<td>$271.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laurence Alexander</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$235.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jason Haas</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$295.00</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John McNulty</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$234.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Neivert</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$305.00</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ashish Sabadra</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$306.00</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ashish Sabadra</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Ecolab. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Ecolab compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Ecolab's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ECL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Ecolab analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Ecolab's Background</h2>
Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the industrial manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and life sciences markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. Additionally, Ecolab sells customized water management solutions across its end markets. The company has a strong hold on the US market and is growing its presence abroad.
<h3>Ecolab's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Ecolab displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 1.02%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 18.42%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 8.75%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Ecolab's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 3.38%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Ecolab's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.97.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Navigating 13 Analyst Ratings For Ecolab

Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $260 to $300.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $300

Making a noteworthy insider sell on November 14, WILLIAM GATES III, 10% Owner at Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>), is reported in the latest SEC filing.
What Happened: According to a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000031462/000110465924119067//Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465924119067/0001104659-24-119067-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Thursday, III sold 304,328 shares of Ecolab. The total transaction value is $75,804,251.
The latest update on Friday morning shows Ecolab shares down by 0.0%, trading at $247.61.
<h3>About Ecolab</h3>
Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the industrial manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and life sciences markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. Additionally, Ecolab sells customized water management solutions across its end markets. The company has a strong hold on the US market and is growing its presence abroad.
<h3>Ecolab: A Financial Overview</h3>
Revenue Growth: Ecolab's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 1.02%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Materials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Key Insights into Profitability Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: Achieving a high gross margin of 43.44%, the company performs well in terms of cost management and profitability within its sector.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): The company excels with an EPS that surpasses the industry average. With a current EPS of 2.6, Ecolab showcases strong earnings per share.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.97, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
Evaluating Valuation:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The current P/E ratio of 34.73 is below industry norms, indicating potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: A higher-than-average P/S ratio of 4.53 suggests overvaluation in the eyes of investors, considering sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Boasting an EV/EBITDA ratio of 19.99, Ecolab demonstrates a robust market valuation, outperforming industry benchmarks.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
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<h3>Exploring the Significance of Insider Trading</h3>
Insightful as they may be, insider transactions should be considered alongside a thorough examination of other investment criteria.
Within the legal framework, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as per Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
The initiation of a new purchase by a company insider serves as a strong indication that they expect the stock to rise.
However, insider sells may not always signal a bearish view and can be influenced by various factors.
<h3>Deciphering Transaction Codes in Insider Filings</h3>
For <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a>, a primary focus lies on transactions occurring in the open market, as indicated in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000031462">Check Out The Full List Of Ecolab's Insider Trades.</a>
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Ecolab 10% Owner Sold $75.80M In Company Stock

Revealing a significant insider sell on November 12, WILLIAM GATES III, 10% Owner at Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>), as per the latest SEC filing.
What Happened: III opted to sell 139,570 shares of Ecolab, according to a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000031462/000110465924116939//Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465924116939/0001104659-24-116939-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Tuesday. The transaction's total worth stands at $34,893,087.
Monitoring the market, Ecolab's shares up by 0.21% at $248.83 during Wednesday's morning.
<h3>All You Need to Know About Ecolab</h3>
Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the industrial manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and life sciences markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. Additionally, Ecolab sells customized water management solutions across its end markets. The company has a strong hold on the US market and is growing its presence abroad.
<h3>Financial Milestones: Ecolab's Journey</h3>
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Ecolab's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 1.02% as of 30 September, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Materials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Key Insights into Profitability Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: Achieving a high gross margin of 43.44%, the company performs well in terms of cost management and profitability within its sector.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Ecolab's EPS is a standout, portraying a positive bottom-line trend that exceeds the industry average with a current EPS of 2.6.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: Ecolab's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 0.97. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
Market Valuation:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The P/E ratio of 34.83 is lower than the industry average, implying a discounted valuation for Ecolab's stock.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 4.54 as compared to the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): A high EV/EBITDA ratio of 20.04 reflects market recognition of Ecolab's value, positioning it as more highly valued compared to industry peers.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
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<h3>Delving Into the Significance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions contribute to decision-making but should be supplemented by a comprehensive investment analysis.
Within the legal framework, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as per Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
The initiation of a new purchase by a company insider serves as a strong indication that they expect the stock to rise.
However, insider sells may not always signal a bearish view and can be influenced by various factors.
<h3>Exploring Key Transaction Codes</h3>
Digging into the details of stock transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> frequently turn their attention to those taking place in the open market, as outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000031462">Check Out The Full List Of Ecolab's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22in8&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Ecolab 10% Owner Sold $34.89M In Company Stock

Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 1.92% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.26%. Currently, Ecolab has a market capitalization of $69.77 billion. 
Buying $100 In ECL: If an investor had bought $100 of ECL stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $704.81 today based on a price of $246.39 for ECL at the time of writing.
<h3>Ecolab's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730921641_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In Ecolab 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Creates new growth platform with proprietary water safety solutions
Ecolab today announced the acquisition of Barclay Water Management, a fast-growing provider of water safety and digital monitoring solutions for industrial and institutional customers based primarily in the northeastern United States.
Barclay Water Management provides differentiated water safety solutions, including the proprietary iChlor&#xAE; Monochloramine System for the treatment of Legionella bacteria in drinking water systems. This secondary disinfection program improves water quality, extends the life of customer assets, and provides continuous on-line monitoring and control of water chemistry.

Ecolab Acquires Barclay Water Management; No Additional Transaction Terms Will Be Disclosed

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Jefferies analyst Howard Rubel downgraded the rating for Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) from Buy to Hold but raised the price target from $180 to $190. Booz Allen Hamilton shares closed at $181.28 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BAH/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5e3d46ce2d37ce00019d1aa2/joshua-spector">UBS analyst Joshua Spector</a> downgraded Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) from Buy to Neutral and maintained the price target of $276. Tencent Music shares closed at $244.57 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ECL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Paul Zimbardo downgraded the rating for Entergy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>) from Buy to Neutral but raised the price target from $138 to $154. Entergy shares closed at $144.79 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BTIG analyst Marvin Fong downgraded the rating for Fiverr International Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FVRR#NYSE">FVRR</a>) from Buy to Neutral. Fiverr Intl shares closed at $30.18 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FVRR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/andrew-wolf">CL King analyst Andrew Wolf</a> downgraded Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIN#NYSE">DIN</a>) from Buy to Neutral. Dine Brands Global shares closed at $30.66 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DIN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>

Considering buying BAH stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="518" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04134352/image-18-1024x518.png" alt="" class="wp-image-628637" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04134352/image-18-1024x518.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04134352/image-18-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04134352/image-18-768x389.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04134352/image-18.png 1257w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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UBS analyst Joshua Spector downgrades Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) from Buy to Neutral and maintains the price target from $276 to $276.

UBS Downgrades Ecolab to Neutral, Maintains Price Target to $276

RBC Capital analyst Ashish Sabadra reiterates Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $306 price target.

Reiteration

RBC Capital Reiterates Outperform on Ecolab, Maintains $306 Price Target

JP Morgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $228 to $255.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $255

BMO Capital analyst John McNulty maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $260 to $279.

BMO Capital Maintains Market Perform on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $279

Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Andrews maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $240 to $263.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $263

Baird analyst Andrew Wittmann maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $271 to $279.

Baird Maintains Neutral on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $279

Editor&#8217;s Note: Article was updated to correct a typo around the company&#8217;s pest elimination segment.
Ecolab Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) shares are trading lower after the company reported third-quarter sales growth of 1% year-on-year to $3.999 billion, missing the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/b41596721/ecolab-delivers-continued-strong-growth-in-the-third-quarter-reported-diluted-eps-2-58-adjusted-di" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> consensus estimate of $4.04 billion</a>.
Organic sales grew 4%, led by strong performance across the business. Volume increased by 2%, fueled by successful new business wins and breakthrough innovations.
In fixed currency, Global Industrial sales grew 3% to $1.993 billion, Global Institutional &amp; Specialty climbed 7% to $1.404 billion, Global Healthcare &amp; Life Sciences fell 18% to $334.1 million and Global Pest Elimination increased 9% to $308.7 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses remained flat year-on-year&nbsp;at&nbsp;$1.0 billion.
Adjusted operating income for the quarter increased&nbsp;17%&nbsp;to&nbsp;$713.1 million, with an adjusted operating margin of&nbsp;17.9% vs. 15.4% a year ago.
Adjusted EPS of&nbsp;$1.83 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;$1.82</a>.
Ecolab repurchased around 1.9 million shares of its common stock in the quarter.
The company held&nbsp;$1.26 billion&nbsp;in cash and equivalents as of September 30.
Outlook: Ecolab revised the FY24 adjusted EPS&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;from&nbsp;$6.50&nbsp;–&nbsp;$6.70 to $6.60 &#8211; $6.70&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40041317" rel="noreferrer noopener">against the consensus of&nbsp;$6.64</a>.
Ecolab sees fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of&nbsp;$1.75&nbsp;–&nbsp;$1.85&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">versus an estimate of&nbsp;$1.82</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via VanEck Environmental Services ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVX#NYSE">EVX</a>) and Invesco Global Water ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PIO#NASDAQ">PIO</a>).
Price Action: ECL shares are down 1.06% at $253.73 at the last check Tuesday.
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