Ecolab Inc logo

Ecolab Inc(ECL)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$284.3
10/12/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ECL

10/12/2026: ECL (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Ecolab is a prominent provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, operating a global business model built on essential, recurring services. The company is known for its strong market position in the industrial and institutional sectors, anchored by proprietary digital monitoring technologies like 3D TRASAR. Its growth story is increasingly driven by sustainability trends and expansion into high-growth areas like data center cooling and life sciences. While the company maintains stable, high-quality earnings, investors should monitor input cost inflation and the integration risks of its M&A strategy. Ecolab often suits long-term, dividend-focused, or low-volatility investors seeking exposure to environmental and industrial efficiency trends.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitEcolab offers consistent, long-term growth driven by secular trends in water scarcity and hygiene requirements.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe stock often exhibits steady price appreciation when the company's growth initiatives align with market expansion phases.
Value investorMixed fitThe company historically trades at a premium valuation due to its quality and market position, which may limit appeal for deep value seekers.
Dividend investorStrong fitEcolab has a long history of dividend growth, making it attractive for investors seeking reliable income streams.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe company's defensive business model provides relatively lower volatility compared to pure-play industrial cyclicals.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumWhile generally stable, the stock can experience sensitivity to broader market trends and input cost shocks.
Valuation riskMedium / highInvestors may overpay during periods of market exuberance given the company's consistent 'quality stock' status.
Competition risk (Specialty chemicals)MediumEcolab faces constant pressure from regional competitors in localized markets and larger industrial players in specific niches.
Business qualityStrongThe high recurring revenue nature and sticky customer relationships represent a franchise quality that limits downside risk.
Dividend incomeLowThe dividend is highly stable and backed by strong free cash flow, presenting very little risk to income investors.
Execution riskMediumIntegrating large acquisitions like Purolite while maintaining organic growth requires disciplined management execution.

Price Behavior

Flat / Range-Bound
PRICE PATH

Flat / Range-Bound

The stock price has been trading within a narrow range with minimal directional movement.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 21.78%
Avg. Invested days 53
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 4.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/12/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
ECL receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, solid quantitative characteristics, and strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
ECL has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 11.8%) and solid profitability (net margin 12.9%) are partially offset by slightly negative earnings growth (-1.7%), moderate revenue growth (+2.2%), very low insider ownership of 0.15%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
ECL's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $1.9B (11.8% of revenue). Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is ECL's strongest growth driver at +4.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-1.7%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 94.1% and approximately 99.8% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.15%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.22%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 5.90%
JPMorgan Chase & Co 5.22%
State Street Corp 4.20%
Morgan Stanley - Brokerage Accounts 2.79%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
ECL generates approximately $445 of gross profit, $181 of operating income, and $118 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Moderate margins and moderate cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is moderate.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 17.84%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
ECL has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 79.01B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 37.83
1Y Target Price 325.05
Price to earnings Ratio 37.83
1Y Target Price 325.05
Volume (30-day avg) 1.2M shares
Beta 0.88
52 Weeks Range 241.85 - 306.79
Updated Date 10/11/2026
52 Weeks Range 241.85 - 306.79
Updated Date 10/11/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.01%
Basic EPS (TTM) 7.45

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Global IndustrialWater management and cleaning for food, beverage, and manufacturing plants.This is the core industrial engine, focusing on efficiency and water conservation for large enterprise clients.
Global Institutional & SpecialtyCleaning, sanitizing, and pest control for restaurants and hospitals.This segment provides steady, high-margin, and essential services to the service industry.
Geography (Global)Operational presence across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.Geographic diversification helps mitigate regional economic slowdowns.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 37.83
Forward PE 29.67
Enterprise Value 86.36B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.69
Enterprise Value 86.36B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.69
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.13
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 21.68
Shares Outstanding 280.33M
Shares Floating 279.73M
Shares Outstanding 280.33M
Shares Floating 279.73M
Percent Insiders 0.15
Percent Institutions 94.05

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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