Market Overview - The S&P 500 has historically shown a modest average gain of 2.1% from May to October, compared to a 5.2% gain from November to April, indicating a weaker performance during the summer months [2] - The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain high interest rates for an extended period, as recent minutes indicate that while price pressures have decreased, they have not fallen as quickly as anticipated [3][4] - Strong economic data has reduced expectations for an imminent interest rate cut, with less than 50% of market participants anticipating a quarter-point cut in September [5][6] Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to focus on dividend aristocrats such as Atmos Energy Corporation, Ecolab Inc., and Walmart Inc., which are characterized by strong financial structures and stable business models [7] Company Insights Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) - Atmos Energy has a dividend yield of 2.86% and has raised its dividend for 40 consecutive years, with a payout ratio of 48% of earnings [8] - The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 9%, with a recent increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings by 0.9% [8] Ecolab Inc. (ECL) - Ecolab has a dividend yield of 0.97% and has increased its dividend for over 30 years, with a payout ratio of 40% of earnings [9] - The expected earnings growth for the current year is 26.5%, with a 2.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings [9] Walmart Inc. (WMT) - Walmart has a dividend yield of 1.27% and has raised its dividend for 51 consecutive years, with a payout ratio of 36% of earnings [10] - The expected earnings growth for the current year is 8.6%, with a 2.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings [10]

ZÜRICH, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecolab and HeiQ Chrisal have teamed up to launch the revolutionary Maxx Synbiotic cleaning range at Interclean in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, and HeiQ Chrisal, a leading biotech innovator, are proudly collaborating to introduce advanced synbiotic cleaning products to the European cleaning industry. At Interclean in Amsterdam, May 14-17, the Maxx Synbiotic rang ...

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Whil ...

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File No. 1-9328 ECOLAB INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporatio ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong start in 2024 with first quarter organic sales growth of 5% and organic operating income margin expansion of 400 basis points, driving adjusted earnings per share up 52% [42][43] - The company remains on a long-term earnings growth trajectory of 12% to 15% [43] - The company anticipates full year 2024 adjusted EPS to be in the range of $6.40 to $6.70, representing a 23% to 29% increase compared to the previous year [62] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Pest Elimination segment has been separated and is now reporting directly to the COO, achieving $1 billion in sales in 2023, with upper single-digit sales growth and double-digit organic operating income growth [1][61] - Institutional Specialty delivered double-digit sales growth and attractive operating income margins, with expectations for organic sales growth to moderate somewhat [58][62] - Life Sciences sales grew modestly despite a challenging market, indicating potential for recovery in the second half of the year [46][48] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that the pandemic has positively impacted the institutional and specialty business, with improved margins and customer willingness to pay more [10][11] - In Europe, the business has shown remarkable growth and margin expansion despite a difficult environment, driven by market share gains [132][133] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on organic growth and leveraging digital capabilities to transform its Pest Elimination business into a digital business [4][5] - The company plans to continue small bolt-on acquisitions to enhance its Pest Elimination franchise [6] - The company is committed to investing in digital and AI technology to enhance customer service and operational efficiency [66][84] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the current macroeconomic environment, indicating stability and positive trends for 2024 [24] - The company expects continued pricing and volume growth, with a focus on achieving a 20% operating income margin in the coming years [57][68] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining strong underlying productivity while increasing investments for future growth [66][90] Other Important Information - The company is undergoing a transformation in its healthcare business, focusing on infection prevention and instrument reprocessing, with a divestiture of its surgical drapes business expected to close soon [60][48] - The company is committed to capital allocation priorities that focus on investing in the business and returning cash to shareholders [63][131] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide insights on the institutional and specialty business performance? - Management acknowledged strong performance in the institutional and specialty business, attributing it to improved customer traffic and cost reductions [10][11] Question: What is the outlook for the Life Sciences business? - Management indicated that Life Sciences is showing growth in a declining market, with expectations for improvement in the second half of the year [18][46] Question: How is the company addressing the healthcare business transformation? - Management detailed steps taken to adjust the cost structure and bifurcate the healthcare business, focusing on infection prevention and digital solutions [60][28] Question: What are the growth investments being made? - Management outlined investments in growth drivers, including increasing personnel, enhancing digital capabilities, and integrating services across business lines [66][78] Question: How is the company managing pricing and volume growth? - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2% to 3% pricing and 1% to 2% volume growth, supported by strong customer value propositions [62][25]

Ecolab Inc. (ECL) reported first-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.34, up 52.3% year over year. The bottom line exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8%.GAAP EPS for the quarter was $1.43, up 74.4% year over year.Revenue DetailsRevenues grossed $3.75 billion in the reported quarter, up 5% year over year. The metric topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.1%.Ecolab’s organic sales increased 4.5% from the prior-year period’s level.The year-over-year uptick in the first-quarter organic ...

For the quarter ended March 2024, Ecolab (ECL) reported revenue of $3.75 billion, up 5.1% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.34, compared to $0.88 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.07% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.75 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.33, the EPS surprise was +0.75%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations ...

Ecolab (ECL) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.34 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.88 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 0.75%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company would post earnings of $1.54 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.55, delivering a surprise of 0.65%.Over ...

Exhibit 99.1 News Release Investor Contact: Media Contact: Andrew Hedberg (651) 250-2185 Nigel Glennie (651) 250-2576 Cairn Clark (651) 250-2291 ECOLAB DELIVERS VERY STRONG FIRST QUARTER PERFORMANCE REPORTED DILUTED EPS $1.43; ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS $1.34, +52% INCREASED 2024 ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS OUTLOOK: $6.40 - $6.70, +23% - 29% FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS SALE OF GLOBAL SURGICAL SOLUTIONS BUSINESS ● Ecolab has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its global surgical solutions business to Medlin ...

Investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Ecolab (ECL) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Basic Materials peers, we might be able to answer that question.Ecolab is one of 240 companies in the Basic Materials group. The Basic Materials group currentl ...