Do Wall Street Analysts Like Ecolab Stock?

Core Insights - Ecolab Inc. (ECL) is a leading provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions with a market capitalization of $86 billion [1] Performance Overview - ECL's shares have outperformed the broader market, gaining 13.7% over the past year compared to the S&P 500 Index's 12.3% increase [2] - In fiscal 2026, ECL's stock rose 15.3%, surpassing the S&P 500's marginal rise on a year-to-date basis [2] Comparison with Industry Peers - ECL's performance is less favorable when compared to the Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA), which gained 17.9% over the past year [3] - However, ECL's year-to-date returns of double digits outshine AQWA's 9.9% gains [3] Financial Results - On February 10, ECL reported Q4 results with an adjusted EPS of $2.08, exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $2.06 [6] - The company's revenue for the quarter was $4.20 billion, slightly above the forecast of $4.19 billion [6] - ECL anticipates full-year adjusted EPS in the range of $8.43 to $8.63 [6] Earnings Growth Expectations - For fiscal 2026, analysts project ECL's EPS to grow by 13.2% to $8.52 on a diluted basis [7] - ECL has a mixed earnings surprise history, beating or matching consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [7] Analyst Ratings - Among 28 analysts covering ECL, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of 13 "Strong Buy" ratings, two "Moderate Buy" ratings, and 13 "Holds" [7] - Berenberg Bank maintains a "Hold" rating with a price target of $299, while the mean price target of $317.52 indicates a 4.9% premium to current price levels [9] - The highest price target of $352 suggests an upside potential of 16.3% [9]