24,981 Shares in Ecolab Inc. $ECL Bought by Saranac Partners Ltd

Key Points

• Saranac Partners acquired 24,981 Ecolab shares during the second quarter, worth approximately $6.96 million and representing about 2% of its portfolio. Institutional investors collectively own 74.91% of Ecolab.
• Ecolab exceeded quarterly expectations with adjusted EPS of $2.09 versus $2.08 expected and revenue of $4.42 billion, up 9.7% year over year. The company guided for third-quarter EPS of $2.13–$2.23.
• Ecolab declared a quarterly dividend of $0.73, equivalent to $2.92 annually and a 1.0% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with an average price target of $327.56 versus the reported share price of $281.91.

Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 24,981 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $6,960,000. Ecolab comprises about 2.0% of Saranac Partners Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ecolab by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,028 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 1,362 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $395,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Ecolab by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 764 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC grew its stake in Ecolab by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC now owns 730 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $192,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC increased its position in Ecolab by 9.0% during the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 486 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.91% of the company's stock.

Ecolab Stock Performance

Shares of ECL opened at $281.91 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $79.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.88. The company's fifty day moving average is $276.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $273.66. Ecolab Inc. has a 1 year low of $243.15 and a 1 year high of $309.27.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The basic materials company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.38 billion. Ecolab had a net margin of 12.57% and a return on equity of 22.72%. The business's revenue was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.89 EPS. Ecolab has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.130-2.230 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Ecolab Inc. will post 8.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Ecolab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $0.73 dividend. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Ecolab's payout ratio is currently 39.19%.

Insider Activity at Ecolab

In other news, COO Darrell R. Brown sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.89, for a total transaction of $2,608,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 32,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,539,712.37. This represents a 23.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michel D. Doukeris purchased 7,750 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $258.00 per share, for a total transaction of $1,999,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 8,326 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,148,108. This represents a 1,345.49% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 28,866 shares of company stock worth $7,878,801 in the last three months. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $337.00 price objective on shares of Ecolab in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Ecolab from $295.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Robert W. Baird set a $305.00 price objective on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Zacks Research cut shares of Ecolab from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Ecolab in a research note on Monday, August 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $327.56.

Ecolab Profile

Ecolab, Inc is a global provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. The company develops and supplies cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, dispensing equipment, water-treatment systems, pest elimination services and related technologies designed to help businesses maintain clean, safe and efficient operations. Its offerings span both products and onsite services, often paired with technical support and training.

Ecolab serves a broad range of end markets including hospitality and foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, manufacturing and industrial operations, and energy and utilities.

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