Specialty Chemicals

Oppenheimer has published a research report on Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) and has reiterated its Outperform rating based on a forecast of steady growth for the company. In the report, Oppenheimer writes "Our takeaways from meeting with ECL: the company continues to grind out growth, institutional cleaning...

Oppenheimer published its company update today on Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) reiterating its Outperform rating. In a note to clients, Oppenheimer writes, "ECL grew EPS during the recession, saw organic revenue growth of 3% in 3Q10, and sees gradual sales acceleration to normal higher levels in 2H11....

Below are the top cleaning product stocks on the NYSE and the NASDAQ in terms of dividend yield. Clorox Company (The) (NYSE: CLX) has a dividend yield of 3.50%. CLX's shares closed at $62.93 yesterday. Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) has a dividend yield of 1.40%. SCL's shares closed at $70.59 yesterday...

The Board of Directors of Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.235 per share, payable on January 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 17, 2011.

Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on December 16, 2010 to stockholders of record on December 1, 2010.

The Valspar Corporation (NYSE: VAL), announced today that Roeland H. Polet has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Global Industrial.

Below are the top specialty chemical stocks on the NYSE and the NASDAQ in terms of dividend yield. Williams Partners LP (NYSE: WPZ) has a dividend yield of 6.00%. WPZ's shares closed at $45.42 yesterday. Oil-Dri Corporation Of America (NYSE: ODC) has a dividend yield of 3.00%. ODC's shares closed...

Flotek Industries, Inc. (NYSE: FTK) today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has appointed Johnna Kokenge to the position of Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Kokenge has served in the role of Corporate Controller for the Company since March 29, 2010.

Shares of Rockwood Holdings (NYSE: ROC) are lower on the session by 2.93%, trading at $35.08. Overall put volume is now running at 11.98x the daily average, with 47% of all puts traded being purchases on the offer. 2,659 contracts have traded on the session so far. Rockwood Holdings, Inc. is a...

Here is a quick peek at stocks that have abnormally high daily put/call ratios today relative to their average…. 1. Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CADX) 3,550 puts, 5 calls 2. Rockwood Holdings (NYSE: ROC) 2,659 puts, 27 calls 3. Laboratory Corp. (NYSE: LH) 5,369 puts, 136 calls 4. Momenta...

Leading cleaning and sanitation products company Ecolab Inc (ECL) continues with its acquisition spree. It has agreed to acquire Virginia-based privately-held O.R. Solutions for $260 million in cash. The completion of the transaction is contingent upon regulatory approvals and customary closing...

• Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) announced plans to buy Bucyrus (NASDAQ: BUCY) for $8.6 billion, or $92 per share • EMC (NYSE: EMC) said it plans to buy Isilon (NASDAQ: ISLN) for $33.85 per share, or $2.25 billion • ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) said it is interested in buying Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE) • BHP...

Sigma-Aldrich (Nasdaq: SIAL) announces the appointment of Kirk Richter to the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer. He currently serves as Vice President and Treasurer, duties that he will continue to perform. He succeeds Rakesh Sachdev in the CFO role with Mr. Sachdev's appointment to...

Goldman Sachs is initiating coverage on International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) with a Neutral rating and a $57 price target on shares. In a note to clients, Goldman writes, "We initiate coverage on IFF with a Neutral rating and see 10% upside to our $57, 12-month price target. On...

Below are the top general building material stocks on the NYSE and NASDAQ in terms of profit margin. The trailing twelve months profit margin at Owens Corning Inc (NYSE: OC) is 20.48%. OC's PEG ratio is 1.10. The trailing twelve months profit margin at AAON Inc (NASDAQ: AAON) is 10.96%. AAON's ROE...