Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Given “Outperform” Rating at BNP Paribas Exane

BNP Paribas Exane reiterated their outperform rating on shares of Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) in a research note released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $345.00 price target on the basic materials company’s stock, up from their previous price target of $330.00.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on ECL. Mizuho set a $335.00 target price on Ecolab in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Ecolab from $275.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Ecolab from $315.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird set a $327.00 target price on Ecolab in a report on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Ecolab from $265.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $319.50.

Ecolab Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of ECL stock opened at $300.87 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $273.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $271.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.22 billion, a PE ratio of 41.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.08. Ecolab has a 1 year low of $221.62 and a 1 year high of $306.52.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The basic materials company reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.07 by $0.01. Ecolab had a net margin of 12.91% and a return on equity of 22.73%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.81 EPS. Ecolab’s revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Ecolab has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.430-8.630 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.670-1.730 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Ecolab will post 7.54 EPS for the current year.

Ecolab Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a $0.73 dividend. This is a boost from Ecolab’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Ecolab’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.11%.

Insider Activity at Ecolab

In related news, EVP Boo Alexander A. De sold 1,422 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.25, for a total transaction of $381,451.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 5,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,535,999.50. The trade was a 19.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director David Maclennan bought 750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $257.60 per share, for a total transaction of $193,200.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 23,035 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,933,816. This trade represents a 3.37% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.04% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Ecolab

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wexford Capital LP bought a new stake in Ecolab during the third quarter worth about $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ecolab during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Corundum Trust Company INC bought a new stake in shares of Ecolab during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ecolab in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its stake in Ecolab by 1,177.8% in the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 115 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the period. 74.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ecolab News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Ecolab this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Several brokerages raised price targets and/or reiterated favorable ratings, signaling analyst confidence in upside (Jefferies raised its target to $352 with a “buy”; BNP Paribas Exane reaffirmed “outperform” at $345; RBC raised to $337; Wells Fargo to $310). These upgrades support further upside potential. Analyst Moves
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings: Ecolab slightly beat EPS expectations (reported $2.08 vs. $2.07 est.), posted revenue growth (~4.8% y/y) and set FY2026 and Q1 guidance — results that helped the stock hit a new 1-year high earlier this week. Earnings / 1-Year High
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 earnings call transcript is available for investors seeking management detail on growth drivers, margins and guidance execution; useful for assessing whether management can deliver the guided EPS range. Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparative coverage and broader analyses (head-to-head with Toray, and a Yahoo/analysis piece on recent developments) provide context but don’t change the core thesis — they’re useful for relative valuation and competitive positioning checks. Comparative Review What Recent Developments Mean
• Negative Sentiment: A critical view from Seeking Alpha argues Ecolab lacks sufficient organic growth to justify upgrades — a narrative that can weigh on sentiment, especially given the stock’s recent run. Seeking Alpha Critique
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and positioning risks: Ecolab trades at a premium (high PE ~41, PEG ~2.6) and volume spiked above average — factors that can prompt near-term profit-taking if growth catalysts disappoint or guidance execution falters. Valuation Note

Ecolab Company Profile

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.