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Ecolab Inc (ECL)
NYSE:ECL
Earnings Data
Report Date
May 05, 2026Before Open (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q1)Consensus EPS Forecast
1.71Last Year’s EPS
1.5Same Quarter Last Year
Moderate Buy
Based on 19 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call emphasized strong momentum across core businesses and growth engines, record financial results in 2025, clear margin expansion levers (pricing, mix, One Ecolab savings), and aggressive 2026 guidance. Several manageable near-term headwinds were identified — notably underperformance in paper/basic industries, a temporary distributor inventory drag on institutional volumes, investment-driven timing effects in life sciences, and below-the-line items (higher tax rate, ~$30M other income headwind, and Ovivo amortization). On balance the positive operational momentum, upgraded cost savings target, digital and high‑tech opportunities, and constructive outlook materially outweigh the transitory and known headwinds.Company Guidance
Record Financial Performance in 2025
Company reported a record year with record-breaking sales margins, earnings per share, and free cash flow; Q4 adjusted EPS grew 15% and full-year operating income margin reached 18%, up 150 basis points year-over-year.
Organic Sales, Pricing, and Volume Momentum
Organic sales grew 3% in Q4 driven by 3% value pricing and positive volume growth; underlying volume growth improved to ~2% and core businesses (ex-basic industries/paper and distributor inventory effects) delivered mid-single-digit organic growth.
Operating Income and Margin Expansion
Organic operating income grew 12% in Q4 with organic OI margin expanding ~140 basis points to 18.5% (quarter); management expects OI margin to expand another 100–150 basis points in 2026 to above 19% and OI growth of 14–16% for the year.
2026 Guidance — Continued Growth and EPS Upside
Management guided to 3%–4% organic sales growth in 2026 (accelerating through the year), reported sales growth of 7%–9% including Ovivo, and EPS growth of 12%–15% (noting an Ovivo non-cash amortization headwind included).
One Ecolab Cost Savings Upside
Achieved more than $100 million of SG&A savings in 2025 and increased the One Ecolab savings target to $325 million by 2027 (previously raised to $225 million), with program cited as a key driver of SG&A leverage and margin expansion.
Ovivo Acquisition and Global High‑Tech Momentum
Closed Ovivo Electronics earlier than expected (~$500M scale business), which strengthens ultra-pure/circular water capability for semiconductor fabs; global high‑tech including fabs and data center cooling described as a roughly $1B opportunity growing at strong double-digit rates with high margins and early new-fab wins.
Growth Engines and Digital Expansion
Growth engines (including Ovivo) now ~20% of portfolio and expected to grow double digits in 2026; Ecolab Digital reached nearly $400 million in annual sales and grew more than 20% in 2025, with continued heavy investment and pipeline (>25% of innovation pipeline digital).
Strong Segment Performance Across Key Areas
Food & Beverage acceleration to 5%; Pest Elimination and Life Sciences each accelerated to 7%; Specialty grew 7% and continued to gain share; institutional (INS) underlying growth excluding distributor inventory disruption was consistent (INS ex-distribution ~4%).
ECL Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
ECL Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Feb 10, 2026 | $288.16 | $299.62 | +3.98% |
Oct 28, 2025 | $278.93 | $267.53 | -4.09% |
Jul 29, 2025 | $268.59 | $258.04 | -3.93% |
Apr 29, 2025 | $237.21 | $245.03 | +3.30% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Ecolab Inc (ECL) report earnings?
Ecolab Inc (ECL) is schdueled to report earning on May 05, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
What is Ecolab Inc (ECL) earnings time?
Ecolab Inc (ECL) earnings time is at May 05, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is ECL EPS forecast?
ECL EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q1) is 1.71.