ECL
NEUTRAL
$267.88
Live
Ecolab Inc. · NYSE
Target $318.95
(+19.1%)
$240.92
52W Range
$309.27
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Market cap
$75.66B
P/E
36.75
ROE
22.5%
Profit margin
12.9%
Debt/Equity
0.92
Dividend yield
1.02%
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
Ecolab exhibits stable financial health with a Piotroski F-Score of 6/9, though it currently trades at a significant premium to its Graham Number ($75.38) and Intrinsic Value ($215.06). While the company demonstrates strong profitability with an ROE of 22.52% and robust earnings growth of 20.2%, its valuation is stretched as evidenced by a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a P/E of 36.75. Bearish technical trends and negative insider sentiment contrast with a bullish analyst consensus, suggesting a high-quality company that is currently overpriced for new entries.
Key Strengths
Strong Return on Equity (ROE) of 22.52%
Robust year-over-year earnings growth of 20.20%
Stable financial health indicated by a Piotroski F-Score of 6/9
Sustainable dividend payout ratio of 36.81%
Strong gross margins (44.51%) reflecting pricing power in specialty chemicals
Key Risks
Significant overvaluation relative to intrinsic value ($267.88 vs $215.06)
High PEG ratio (2.49) suggesting price is outstripping growth
Sluggish revenue growth (4.80%) compared to earnings growth
Bearish technical trend (0/100) and negative insider activity
Tight liquidity with a current ratio of 1.08 and quick ratio of 0.77
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$228.5
-14.7% below current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
62
Strong
35
65
80
70
60
AI Verdict
Quality company, poor valuation
Key drivers: High ROE, Earnings growth, Valuation premium, Bearish technicals
Confidence
90%
Value
35/100
Ref P/E 36.75, PEG 2.49, Graham $75.38
Positives
- Forward P/E is lower than trailing P/E
Watchpoints
- Price is 255% above Graham Number
- Price is 24% above Intrinsic Value
- High PEG ratio
Future
65/100
Ref Growth rates
Positives
- Strong EPS growth (20.2%)
- Positive analyst target price ($318.95)
Watchpoints
- Low revenue growth (4.8%) suggests growth is driven by margins/buybacks rather than scale
Past
80/100
Ref Historical trends
Positives
- Consistent long-term price appreciation (3Y Change +64.7%)
- Reliable earnings track record over 25 quarters
Watchpoints
- Recent 6-month performance is negative (-3.7%)
Health
70/100
Ref Piotroski F-Score
Positives
- Piotroski F-Score 6/9 (Stable)
- Manageable Debt/Equity (0.92)
Watchpoints
- Quick ratio below 1.0 (0.77)
Dividend
60/100
Ref Yield, Payout
Positives
- Conservative payout ratio (36.81%)
Watchpoints
- Low dividend yield (1.02%)
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$267.88
Analyst Target
$318.95
Upside/Downside
+19.1%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for ECL and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-04-27
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
Primary
|
+27.5% | +64.7% | +13.2% | -3.7% | +2.5% | -2.8% |
|
CRH
CRH plc
Peer
|
+180.9% | +149.9% | +30.1% | -1.5% | +11.3% | +0.8% |
|
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Peer
|
+30.6% | +45.3% | +2.1% | +0.5% | +6.6% | -2.3% |
|
APD
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Peer
|
+13.7% | +6.8% | +0.0% | +7.8% | +4.1% | -0.8% |
|
B
Barrick Mining Corporation
Peer
|
+148.8% | +178.8% | +226.4% | +135.0% | +12.4% | +4.8% |
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
Primary
5Y
+27.5%
3Y
+64.7%
1Y
+13.2%
6M
-3.7%
1M
+2.5%
1W
-2.8%
CRH
CRH plc
Peer
5Y
+180.9%
3Y
+149.9%
1Y
+30.1%
6M
-1.5%
1M
+11.3%
1W
+0.8%
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Peer
5Y
+30.6%
3Y
+45.3%
1Y
+2.1%
6M
+0.5%
1M
+6.6%
1W
-2.3%
APD
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+13.7%
3Y
+6.8%
1Y
+0.0%
6M
+7.8%
1M
+4.1%
1W
-0.8%
B
Barrick Mining Corporation
Peer
5Y
+148.8%
3Y
+178.8%
1Y
+226.4%
6M
+135.0%
1M
+12.4%
1W
+4.8%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
36.75
Forward P/E
27.64
PEG Ratio
2.49
P/B Ratio
7.73
P/S Ratio
4.7
EV/Revenue
5.22
EV/EBITDA
21.36
Market Cap
$75.66B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
12.91%
Operating Margin
19.05%
Gross Margin
44.51%
ROE
22.52%
ROA
7.84%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+4.8%
Earnings Growth
+20.2%
Q/Q Revenue Growth
+4.76%
Q/Q Earnings Growth
+19.2%
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
0.92
Moderate
Current Ratio
1.08
Good
Quick Ratio
0.77
Poor
Cash/Share
$2.29
Financial Statement Flow
Interactive flow visualization showing how money moves through the company Q4 2025
Revenue
$4.2B
Gross Margin
44.0%
Op. Margin
18.7%
Net Margin
13.4%
Total Assets
$24.7B
Liabilities
$14.9B
Equity
$9.8B
Debt/Equity
1.52x
Operating CF
$1.1B
CapEx
$-0.3B
Free Cash Flow
$0.8B
FCF Yield
70%
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-04-28
$N/A
2026-02-10
$2.08
+0.7% surprise
2025-10-28
$2.07
-0.1% surprise
2025-07-29
$1.89
-0.3% surprise
Basic Materials Sector Comparison
Comparing ECL against 143 companies in the Basic Materials sector
(14 bullish, 54 neutral, 75 bearish)
P/E Ratio
36.75
This Stock
vs
38.86
Sector Avg
-5.4%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
22.52%
This Stock
vs
-6.64%
Sector Avg
-439.1%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
12.91%
This Stock
vs
-5.75%
Sector Avg
-324.3%
(Weaker)
Debt to Equity
0.92
This Stock
vs
0.89
Sector Avg
+3.1%
(Higher)
Revenue Growth
4.8%
This Stock
vs
36.56%
Sector Avg
-86.9%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
1.08
This Stock
vs
5.16
Sector Avg
-79.2%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $75.66B | 36.75 | 22.5% | 12.9% | $267.88 | |
|
CRH
CRH plc
|
BULLISH | $78.85B | 21.42 | 15.7% | 10.0% | $118.0 | Compare |
|
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
|
NEUTRAL | $83.28B | 32.79 | 59.4% | 10.9% | $336.1 | Compare |
|
APD
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $64.05B | - | -1.7% | -2.7% | $287.68 | Compare |
|
B
Barrick Mining Corporation
|
NEUTRAL | $87.34B | 23.65 | 15.3% | 24.5% | $51.08 | Compare |
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
NEUTRAL
Mkt Cap
$75.7B
P/E
36.7
ROE
22.5%
Price
$267.88
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-31 | ZILLMER JOHN J | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | MACLENNAN DAVID W | Director | Stock Award | 186 | $12,812 |
| 2026-03-31 | REICH VICTORIA J | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | GROSS MARION K | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | DOUKERIS MICHEL | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | VAUTRINOT SUZANNE M. | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | WHALEN JULIE PATENAUDE | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | NOWELL LIONEL L III | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | ALTHOFF JUDSON | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | LARSON MICHAEL J | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | MCKIBBEN TRACY B. | Director | Stock Award | 137 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | BALLARD SHARI L | Director | Stock Award | 275 | $36,248 |
| 2026-03-31 | GREEN ERIC MARK | Director | Stock Award | 289 | $39,999 |
| 2026-03-27 | LARSON MICHAEL J | Director | Option Exercise | 2,300 | $264,672 |
| 2026-02-26 | COOK GREGORY B | Officer | Sale | 3,519 | $1,070,656 |
ZILLMER JOHN J
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
MACLENNAN DAVID W
Director
2026-03-31
186 shares
·
$12,812
REICH VICTORIA J
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
GROSS MARION K
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
DOUKERIS MICHEL
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
VAUTRINOT SUZANNE M.
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
WHALEN JULIE PATENAUDE
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
NOWELL LIONEL L III
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
ALTHOFF JUDSON
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
LARSON MICHAEL J
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
MCKIBBEN TRACY B.
Director
2026-03-31
137 shares
BALLARD SHARI L
Director
2026-03-31
275 shares
·
$36,248
GREEN ERIC MARK
Director
2026-03-31
289 shares
·
$39,999
LARSON MICHAEL J
Director
2026-03-27
2,300 shares
·
$264,672
COOK GREGORY B
Officer
2026-02-26
3,519 shares
·
$1,070,656
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
SEC Filings
Recent regulatory filings from the SEC EDGAR database
8-K
DEF 14A
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. AI summaries generated automatically.
Wall Street Analysts
Professional analyst ratings and price targets
Consensus
BUY
21 analysts
B of A Securities
2026-04-21
Buy
Buy
Citigroup
2026-04-13
Buy
Buy
UBS
2026-04-09
Neutral
Neutral
Baird
2026-03-24
Outperform
Outperform
JP Morgan
2026-03-24
Neutral
Overweight
Wells Fargo
2026-03-18
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Evercore ISI Group
2026-02-18
Outperform
Outperform
BMO Capital
2026-02-13
Outperform
Outperform
BNP Paribas
2026-02-12
Outperform
Outperform
Jefferies
2026-02-11
Buy
Buy
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning ECL from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.