Ecolab's gross margin has held within a tight 43.4% to 44.8% band over ten quarters, and revenue growth recovered to 12.7% in Q3 2026, suggesting pricing has kept pace with input costs.
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Gross margin held between 43.4% and 44.8% over ten quarters while operating margin improved from 15.3% in Q1 2026 to 17.3% in Q3 2026, though EPS swung from an 83.0% gain in Q3 2024 to a 20.5% decline in Q3 2025, suggesting non-operating items may be distorting reported earnings.
Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, with a century-long history of innovation and a strong market position.
The company benefits from pricing momentum and margin expansion, as highlighted in previous bullish theses, contributing to stock appreciation.
Ecolab's recurring revenue model aligns well with steady economic growth and resilient demand, providing a stable financial foundation.
Trailing total returns as of 11/7/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q4 2026Latest Oct 27, 2026 | $2.18+0.0% vs $2.18 | $4.7B-0.1% vs $4.7B |
Q3 2026 Jul 28, 2026 | $2.09+0.5% vs $2.08 | $4.4B+0.7% vs $4.4B |
Q2 2026 Apr 28, 2026 | $1.70+0.0% vs $1.70 | $4.1B+1.0% vs $4.0B |
Q1 2026 Feb 10, 2026 | $2.08+0.5% vs $2.07 | $4.2B+0.1% vs $4.2B |
A dividend that grows faster than inflation turns a modest starting yield into a paycheck that keeps getting bigger, and these three Dividend Aristocrats are raising their payouts at a pace most income stocks can't keep up with.
Ecolab (NYSE: ECL - Get Free Report) and Lsb Industries (NYSE: LXU - Get Free Report) are both materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, risk, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and valuation. Insider and Institutional Ownership 74.9% of Ecolab shares are
I remain at a hold on Ecolab stock, as its data center growth potential is already priced into the stock. Q3 earnings were unremarkable, with organic growth concentrated in the small but fast-growing high-tech division. High-tech will eventually become a decent chunk of the business but it's not there today.
Ecolab achieved 7% organic sales growth in the third quarter. Global High-Tech organic sales grew 63% during the third quarter.
Benchmark ECL against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300.68 | $84.62B | 41.30 | 2.16% | 12.91% | 22.33% | 0.88% | |
| $344.10 | $83.53B | 33.51 | 2.06% | 10.74% | 63.49% | 0.92% | |
| $82.62 | $21.09B | -56.59 | -5.17% | 2.11% | 1.4% | 1.93% | |
| $103.31 | $13.2B | 19.98 | 6.66% | 8.66% | 21.12% | 2.06% | |
| $5.63 | $705.03M | -0.31 | -18.34% | -148.38% | -302.92% | 41.33% | |
| $109.33 | $25.91B | 36.20 | 1.57% | 12.41% | 18.21% | 1.08% |
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Oct 27, 2026·SEC
Jul 28, 2026·SEC
May 29, 2026·SEC
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Ecolab Inc. (ECL) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) reported $17.37B in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Revenue was $16.08B in fiscal year 2025. That is 979% more than the $1.49B of fiscal year 1996.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) grew revenue by 2.2% in fiscal year 2025, compared with the prior fiscal year.
Yes. Ecolab Inc. (ECL) earned $2.08B in net income over the trailing twelve months (a 12.0% net margin).
Yes. Ecolab Inc. (ECL) pays a dividend that yields 0.88% at the current price, a small yield.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) had a return on equity (ROE) of 22.3% in fiscal year 2025. That is well above the market's typical 10-15%.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) generated $1.80B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months.
