About Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) has been publicly traded since 1973, making it a 53-year-old public company. It operates in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Basic Materials sector. The company is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States and employs approximately 48,000 people. With a market capitalization of $78 billion, ECL is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $275.71
- Market Cap
- $78.09B
- 52-Week High
- $309.27
- 52-Week Low
- $221.62
- Sector
- Basic Materials
- Industry
- Specialty Chemicals
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +5.02% | $262.52 | $275.71 |
| 2025 | +13.19% | $231.93 | $262.52 |
| 2024 | +19.29% | $194.43 | $231.93 |
| 2023 | +37.94% | $140.95 | $194.43 |
| 2022 | -37.10% | $224.08 | $140.95 |
| 2021 | +9.38% | $204.85 | $224.08 |
| 2020 | +13.17% | $181.01 | $204.85 |
| 2019 | +32.26% | $136.86 | $181.01 |
| 2018 | +11.07% | $123.22 | $136.86 |
| 2017 | +15.80% | $106.40 | $123.22 |
| 2016 | +3.75% | $102.56 | $106.40 |
| 2015 | +10.72% | $92.63 | $102.56 |
| 2014 | +1.31% | $91.43 | $92.63 |
| 2013 | +46.60% | $62.37 | $91.43 |
| 2012 | +25.96% | $49.51 | $62.37 |
| 2011 | +16.26% | $42.59 | $49.51 |
| 2010 | +14.65% | $37.15 | $42.59 |
| 2009 | +28.73% | $28.86 | $37.15 |
| 2008 | -30.49% | $41.52 | $28.86 |
| 2007 | +14.50% | $36.26 | $41.52 |
| 2006 | +25.88% | $28.81 | $36.26 |
| 2005 | +4.38% | $27.60 | $28.81 |
| 2004 | +29.72% | $21.27 | $27.60 |
| 2003 | +11.86% | $19.02 | $21.27 |
| 2002 | +24.47% | $15.28 | $19.02 |
| 2001 | -4.92% | $16.07 | $15.28 |
| 2000 | +11.84% | $14.37 | $16.07 |
| 1999 | +9.34% | $13.14 | $14.37 |
| 1998 | +32.26% | $9.94 | $13.14 |
| 1997 | +49.54% | $6.65 | $9.94 |
| 1996 | +27.64% | $5.21 | $6.65 |
| 1995 | +46.58% | $3.55 | $5.21 |
| 1994 | -5.25% | $3.75 | $3.55 |
| 1993 | +24.79% | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| 1992 | +26.15% | $2.38 | $3.00 |
| 1991 | +43.58% | $1.66 | $2.38 |
| 1990 | -23.25% | $2.16 | $1.66 |
| 1989 | +10.07% | $1.96 | $2.16 |
| 1988 | +15.62% | $1.70 | $1.96 |
| 1987 | +4.45% | $1.63 | $1.70 |
| 1986 | +12.24% | $1.45 | $1.63 |
| 1985 | +52.78% | $0.95 | $1.45 |
| 1984 | -13.94% | $1.10 | $0.95 |
| 1983 | +12.05% | $0.98 | $1.10 |
| 1982 | +69.70% | $0.58 | $0.98 |
| 1981 | -20.00% | $0.72 | $0.58 |
| 1980 | -14.95% | $0.85 | $0.72 |
| 1979 | +10.86% | $0.77 | $0.85 |
| 1978 | -3.31% | $0.79 | $0.77 |
| 1977 | -9.05% | $0.87 | $0.79 |
| 1976 | -0.50% | $0.88 | $0.87 |
| 1975 | +4.17% | $0.84 | $0.88 |
| 1974 | -39.43% | $1.39 | $0.84 |
Valuation
ECL currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 37.6, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 28.2 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 11.7. The price-to-sales ratio is 4.8.
Dividends
Ecolab Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.01%. This translates to $2.76 per share annually. The payout ratio of 37% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
ECL has a beta of 0.98, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $221.62 to $309.27, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 21 analyst opinions, ECL has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $321.86 suggests 17.4% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ecolab Inc. do? ▼
Ecolab Inc. is a Specialty Chemicals company operating in the Basic Materials sector. The company is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States.
What sector is ECL in? ▼
ECL operates in the Basic Materials sector, specifically in the Specialty Chemicals industry.
When did ECL go public? ▼
Ecolab Inc. went public in 1973, making it a 53-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in ECL 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in ECL five years ago would be worth approximately $1,358 today, representing a 35.8% return.
Does ECL pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Ecolab Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.01%, which is $2.76 per share annually.
What is ECL's market cap? ▼
Ecolab Inc. has a market capitalization of $78 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is ECL's P/E ratio? ▼
ECL has a trailing P/E ratio of 37.6 and a forward P/E of 28.2, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is ECL a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 21 opinions, ECL has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $321.86.
Last updated: 3/14/2026