Ecolab Inc.

NYSE:ECL Stock Report

Market Cap: US$72.5b

Ecolab Dividends and Buybacks

Dividend criteria checks 4/6

Ecolab is a dividend paying company with a current yield of 1.12% that is well covered by earnings.

Key information

1.1%

Dividend yield

0.8%

Buyback Yield

Total Shareholder Yield1.9%
Future Dividend Yield1.3%
Dividend Growth6.3%
Next dividend pay daten/a
Ex dividend daten/a
Dividend per sharen/a
Payout ratio37%

Recent dividend and buyback updates

Ecolab's (NYSE:ECL) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year

Dec 08
Ecolab's (NYSE:ECL) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year

Recent updates

ECL: Structural Pricing Power Will Support Execution Of CoolIT Data Center Acquisition

Analysts nudged the price target on Ecolab slightly lower to reflect a fair value adjustment of about $0.33, balancing more cautious margin and discount rate assumptions with Street research that highlights both recent target cuts and a string of upgrades and price target increases related to pricing power and the CoolIT acquisition. Analyst Commentary Street research on Ecolab has been active, with a mix of higher and lower price targets alongside several upgrades.

Ecolab: Cool Off With Heating Up Returns

Apr 23

ECL: Structural Pricing Power Will Support Execution Of Future Data Center Acquisition

The updated analyst price target for Ecolab edges slightly lower to $319.29 from $320.43, as analysts factor in mixed recent research that includes several target cuts tied to valuation concerns around the $4.75b CoolIT deal, as well as upgrades and price target raises that highlight Ecolab's pricing power and positioning as a potential inflation beneficiary. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Ecolab reflects a mixed but engaged analyst community, with several firms revisiting their models after the announced US$4.75b CoolIT acquisition and recent pricing actions.

ECL: Structural Pricing Power Will Support Execution On CoolIT Data Center Deal

Ecolab's updated analyst price target edges down from $321.86 to $320.43 as analysts factor in higher revenue growth assumptions, slightly lower projected profit margins, and a modestly reduced future P/E multiple, following a mix of recent target increases, target cuts, and rating changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Ecolab shows a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms adjusting ratings and targets around pricing power, deal valuation, and execution.

ECL: Upward Sector Catalysts And Buybacks Will Support Elevated Execution Risk

The updated analyst price target for Ecolab reflects a modest recalibration in our model. The fair value estimate of $321.86 is supported by slightly higher revenue growth assumptions, a lower discount rate, and broadly consistent profit margin and future P/E inputs that align with a recent wave of upward price target revisions from multiple research firms.

ECL: Fair Outlook As Sector Catalysts Meet Elevated Execution Risk

The analyst fair value estimate for Ecolab has shifted from about $296 to around $322 as analysts collectively raise price targets. This change reflects updated views on margin potential, valuation multiples, and the broader chemicals sector backdrop.

ECL: Fair Outlook As Data Center Cooling Meets Sector Supply Uncertainty

Narrative Update The analyst price target on Ecolab has been nudged higher by about $1 to roughly $296, as analysts incorporate slightly firmer assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and a modestly lower future P/E, supported by recent price target increases at several firms even as some ratings have turned more cautious. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Ecolab reflects a mix of optimism on long term positioning and caution on near term risk and valuation, with several firms adjusting price targets and at least one turning more guarded on the shares.

ECL: Fair Outlook As Cooling Demand Meets Uncertain Chemicals And Agriculture Backdrop

Ecolab's analyst price target has moved slightly higher to about $295, as analysts factor in small adjustments to fair value and profitability assumptions, along with recent target increases from firms such as Citi, BofA, and UBS, partly offset by a downgrade from another research house. Analyst Commentary Recent research has been mixed, with some bullish analysts fine tuning their targets higher and one bearish analyst turning more cautious.

ECL: Fair Outlook Balances Margin Strength With Uncertain Chemical And Agriculture Backdrop

Analysts have inched their fair value estimate for Ecolab higher, with the price target moving by about US$2.56 to US$294.71, citing updated views on revenue growth potential, a slightly adjusted discount rate, and ongoing discussion of industry catalysts such as chemical sector oversupply, mixed agriculture trends, and possible demand support from improving PMI indicators and future rate cuts. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates around Ecolab point to a generally constructive stance, with price targets nudging higher and coverage being reinstated with a positive angle.

ECL: Rising Margins And Dividend Growth Will Support Resilient Returns

Analysts have nudged their price target on Ecolab slightly higher, with fair value rising about $0.40 to approximately $292 per share, citing expectations for continued operating margin expansion into 2026 and resilient above average returns on equity, despite a challenging macro backdrop for specialty chemicals. Analyst Commentary Street research remains constructive on Ecolab, with recent updates highlighting both upside drivers and lingering macro sensitivities that could influence the pace of multiple expansion and earnings growth.

ECL: Rising Margins And Dividend Increase Will Support Strong Returns Into 2026

Analysts have modestly raised their price target on Ecolab by $10 to $325, citing improving operating margins, above average returns on equity, and resilient prospects despite a challenging macro backdrop for specialty chemicals volumes. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts highlight that Ecolab's medium term setup remains attractive, underpinned by structurally improving operating margins and above average returns on equity that support a higher valuation multiple.

Ecolab's (NYSE:ECL) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year

Dec 08
Ecolab's (NYSE:ECL) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year

ECL: Margin Expansion From One Ecolab Will Drive Steady Returns Into 2026

Analysts have raised their price targets for Ecolab, with the consensus forecast increasing from $315 to $325 per share. This change is driven by expectations for continued margin expansion and robust medium-term growth prospects.

ECL: Margin Expansion Will Drive Stronger Performance Through 2026

Ecolab’s fair value price target has been modestly increased from $290.15 to $291.75. This reflects analysts’ continued confidence in the company’s margin expansion and growth prospects, despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges.

The Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Third-Quarter Results Are Out And Analysts Have Published New Forecasts

Oct 31
The Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Third-Quarter Results Are Out And Analysts Have Published New Forecasts

Margin Expansion And Digital Solutions Will Drive Outperformance Over The Next Few Years

The fair value estimate for Ecolab has increased slightly from $286.10 to $290.15. Analysts point to improving medium-term growth prospects and higher operating margin expectations, citing several recent upward price target revisions.

With EPS Growth And More, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Makes An Interesting Case

Sep 21
With EPS Growth And More, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Makes An Interesting Case

Digital Technologies And Life Sciences Will Open New Markets

Ecolab’s consensus analyst price target was modestly raised to $285.95, reflecting increased confidence in growth and margin expansion from the "One Ecolab" initiative and improved sector sentiment, despite valuation concerns. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts cite the "One Ecolab" initiative as a catalyst for accelerating growth and driving margin expansion.

Is Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) A Risky Investment?

Sep 04
Is Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) A Risky Investment?

Is It Too Late To Consider Buying Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)?

Aug 21
Is It Too Late To Consider Buying Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)?

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Just Released Its Second-Quarter Results And Analysts Are Updating Their Estimates

Aug 01
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Just Released Its Second-Quarter Results And Analysts Are Updating Their Estimates

What Ecolab Inc.'s (NYSE:ECL) P/E Is Not Telling You

Jul 21
What Ecolab Inc.'s (NYSE:ECL) P/E Is Not Telling You

A Look At The Fair Value Of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Jun 15
A Look At The Fair Value Of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Here's Why We Think Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Is Well Worth Watching

May 28
Here's Why We Think Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) Is Well Worth Watching

Ecolab: 40 Times Free Cash Flow Is Still Not Justified

Apr 07

Ecolab: Becoming A Cleaner Picture

Jan 25

Ecolab Q3: Balanced Price And Volume Growth

Nov 17

Stability and Growth of Payments

Fetching dividends data

Stable Dividend: ECL's dividends per share have been stable in the past 10 years.

Growing Dividend: ECL's dividend payments have increased over the past 10 years.


Dividend Yield vs Market

Ecolab Dividend Yield vs Market
How does ECL dividend yield compare to the market?
SegmentDividend Yield
Company (ECL)1.1%
Market Bottom 25% (US)1.4%
Market Top 25% (US)4.2%
Industry Average (Chemicals)1.7%
Analyst forecast (ECL) (up to 3 years)1.3%

Notable Dividend: ECL's dividend (1.12%) isn’t notable compared to the bottom 25% of dividend payers in the US market (1.41%).

High Dividend: ECL's dividend (1.12%) is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the US market (4.24%).


Earnings Payout to Shareholders

Earnings Coverage: With its reasonably low payout ratio (37.1%), ECL's dividend payments are well covered by earnings.


Cash Payout to Shareholders

Cash Flow Coverage: With its reasonably low cash payout ratio (43.3%), ECL's dividend payments are well covered by cash flows.


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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status

DataLast Updated (UTC time)
Company Analysis2026/04/30 12:43
End of Day Share Price 2026/04/30 00:00
Earnings2026/03/31
Annual Earnings2025/12/31

Data Sources

The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.

PackageDataTimeframeExample US Source *
Company Financials10 years
  • Income statement
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet
Analyst Consensus Estimates+3 years
  • Forecast financials
  • Analyst price targets
Market Prices30 years
  • Stock prices
  • Dividends, Splits and Actions
Ownership10 years
  • Top shareholders
  • Insider trading
Management10 years
  • Leadership team
  • Board of directors
Key Developments10 years
  • Company announcements

* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.

Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.

Analysis Model and Snowflake

Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.

Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Industry and Sector Metrics

Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.

Analyst Sources

Ecolab Inc. is covered by 36 analysts. 18 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.

AnalystInstitution
John EadeArgus Research Company
Andrew WittmannBaird
Gary BisbeeBarclays