Ecolab Inc.

ECL · Basic Materials

About Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

Ecolab Inc. is a Specialty Chemicals company operating in the Basic Materials sector.

ECL trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .

Sector
Basic Materials
Industry
Specialty Chemicals

Key Statistics

Current Price
$302.98
Market Cap
$84.98B
52-Week High
$309.27
52-Week Low
$243.15
Sector
Basic Materials
Industry
Specialty Chemicals

$1,000 Invested in Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

1 Year
$1,191
+19%
3 Years
$1,973
+97%
5 Years
$1,446
+45%
10 Years
$2,915
+192%
Since IPO
$217,477
+21648%

How much would $1,000 invested in ECL be worth today?

What would $1,000 invested in ECL 1 year ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Ecolab Inc. (ECL) in 2025 would be worth $1,191 as of November 2026, representing a +19.1% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in ECL 3 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Ecolab Inc. (ECL) in 2023 would be worth $1,973 as of November 2026, representing a +97.3% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in ECL 5 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Ecolab Inc. (ECL) in 2021 would be worth $1,446 as of November 2026, representing a +44.6% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in ECL 10 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Ecolab Inc. (ECL) in 2016 would be worth $2,915 as of November 2026, representing a +191.5% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in ECL at IPO be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Ecolab Inc. (ECL) at IPO would be worth $217,477 as of November 2026, representing a +21647.7% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+1.10%
Positive Months
360
56% of 644
Negative Months
275
43% of 644
Data Period
53+ years
644 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Oct 1974 (+38.8%)
Best month on avg: April (+2.2%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Sep 1974 (-27.6%)
Worst month on avg: September (-0.5%)

Over the past 53+ years (644 months), Ecolab Inc. (ECL) has averaged a monthly return of +1.10% with a median return of +0.99%. The stock had 360 positive months (56%) and 275 negative months (43%). The best month in ECL's history was October 1974 with a +38.8% return, while the worst was September 1974 at -27.6%. Historically, April tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.2%), and September the weakest (-0.5%).

ECL's longest winning streak was 8 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1982 with a cumulative return of +55.8%, and the worst was 2022 at -42.2%.

Annual Returns

Over 53 years of trading history, Ecolab Inc. (ECL) has delivered an average annual return of +12.99% with a median return of +12.24%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +10.71%. The stock posted gains in 41 years (77%) and losses in 12 years (23%).

ECL's best year was 1982 with a +69.70% gain, while the worst was 1974 at -39.43%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 13, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. ECL achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 34 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.

Avg Return
+12.99%
Best Year
1982 (+69.70%)
Worst Year
1974 (-39.43%)
Positive Years
41/53
Year Return Start End
2026 +16.35% $260.41 $302.98
2025 +13.19% $230.07 $260.41
2024 +19.29% $192.87 $230.07
2023 +37.94% $139.82 $192.87
2022 -37.10% $222.28 $139.82
2021 +9.38% $203.21 $222.28
2020 +13.17% $179.56 $203.21
2019 +32.26% $135.76 $179.56
2018 +11.07% $122.23 $135.76
2017 +15.80% $105.55 $122.23
2016 +3.75% $101.73 $105.55
2015 +10.72% $91.88 $101.73
2014 +1.31% $90.70 $91.88
2013 +46.60% $61.87 $90.70
2012 +25.96% $49.12 $61.87
2011 +16.26% $42.25 $49.12
2010 +14.65% $36.85 $42.25
2009 +28.73% $28.63 $36.85
2008 -30.49% $41.19 $28.63
2007 +14.50% $35.97 $41.19
2006 +25.88% $28.57 $35.97
2005 +4.38% $27.38 $28.57
2004 +29.72% $21.10 $27.38
2003 +11.86% $18.87 $21.10
2002 +24.47% $15.16 $18.87
2001 -4.92% $15.94 $15.16
2000 +11.84% $14.25 $15.94
1999 +9.34% $13.04 $14.25
1998 +32.26% $9.86 $13.04
1997 +49.54% $6.59 $9.86
1996 +27.64% $5.16 $6.59
1995 +46.58% $3.52 $5.16
1994 -5.25% $3.72 $3.52
1993 +24.79% $2.98 $3.72
1992 +26.15% $2.36 $2.98
1991 +43.58% $1.65 $2.36
1990 -23.25% $2.14 $1.65
1989 +10.07% $1.95 $2.14
1988 +15.62% $1.68 $1.95
1987 +4.45% $1.61 $1.68
1986 +12.24% $1.44 $1.61
1985 +52.78% $0.94 $1.44
1984 -13.94% $1.09 $0.94
1983 +12.05% $0.98 $1.09
1982 +69.70% $0.57 $0.98
1981 -20.00% $0.72 $0.57
1980 -14.95% $0.84 $0.72
1979 +10.86% $0.76 $0.84
1978 -3.31% $0.79 $0.76
1977 -9.05% $0.87 $0.79
1976 -0.50% $0.87 $0.87
1975 +4.17% $0.84 $0.87
1974 -39.43% $1.38 $0.84

Frequently Asked Questions: ECL

What sector is ECL in? ▼

ECL operates in the Basic Materials sector, specifically in the Specialty Chemicals industry.

How has ECL performed historically? ▼

Over 53 years of trading history, ECL has posted gains in 41 years (77% of the time). The best year was 1982 with a +69.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in ECL? ▼

You can invest in ECL through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold ECL.

Last updated: 11/1/2026