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 .
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $261.13
- Market Cap
- $73.96B
- 52-Week High
- $309.27
- 52-Week Low
- $221.62
- Sector
- Basic Materials
- Industry
- Specialty Chemicals
$1,000 Invested in Ecolab Inc. (ECL)
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 $1,051 as of May 2026, representing a +5.1% 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 $1,749 as of May 2026, representing a +74.9% 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 $1,319 as of May 2026, representing a +31.9% 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 $2,797 as of May 2026, representing a +179.7% 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 $186,433 as of May 2026, representing a +18543.3% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 53+ years (637 months), Ecolab Inc. (ECL) has averaged a monthly return of +1.09% with a median return of +1.00%. The stock had 357 positive months (56%) and 271 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 +2.3%), 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 +12.68% with a median return of +12.05%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +10.38%. The stock posted gains in 40 years (75%) and losses in 13 years (25%).
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 33 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -0.26% | $261.82 | $261.13 |
| 2025 | +13.19% | $231.31 | $261.82 |
| 2024 | +19.29% | $193.91 | $231.31 |
| 2023 | +37.94% | $140.57 | $193.91 |
| 2022 | -37.10% | $223.48 | $140.57 |
| 2021 | +9.38% | $204.30 | $223.48 |
| 2020 | +13.17% | $180.53 | $204.30 |
| 2019 | +32.26% | $136.49 | $180.53 |
| 2018 | +11.07% | $122.89 | $136.49 |
| 2017 | +15.80% | $106.12 | $122.89 |
| 2016 | +3.75% | $102.28 | $106.12 |
| 2015 | +10.72% | $92.38 | $102.28 |
| 2014 | +1.31% | $91.19 | $92.38 |
| 2013 | +46.60% | $62.20 | $91.19 |
| 2012 | +25.96% | $49.38 | $62.20 |
| 2011 | +16.26% | $42.48 | $49.38 |
| 2010 | +14.65% | $37.05 | $42.48 |
| 2009 | +28.73% | $28.78 | $37.05 |
| 2008 | -30.49% | $41.41 | $28.78 |
| 2007 | +14.50% | $36.16 | $41.41 |
| 2006 | +25.88% | $28.73 | $36.16 |
| 2005 | +4.38% | $27.52 | $28.73 |
| 2004 | +29.72% | $21.22 | $27.52 |
| 2003 | +11.86% | $18.97 | $21.22 |
| 2002 | +24.47% | $15.24 | $18.97 |
| 2001 | -4.92% | $16.03 | $15.24 |
| 2000 | +11.84% | $14.33 | $16.03 |
| 1999 | +9.34% | $13.11 | $14.33 |
| 1998 | +32.26% | $9.91 | $13.11 |
| 1997 | +49.54% | $6.63 | $9.91 |
| 1996 | +27.64% | $5.19 | $6.63 |
| 1995 | +46.58% | $3.54 | $5.19 |
| 1994 | -5.25% | $3.74 | $3.54 |
| 1993 | +24.79% | $3.00 | $3.74 |
| 1992 | +26.15% | $2.37 | $3.00 |
| 1991 | +43.58% | $1.65 | $2.37 |
| 1990 | -23.25% | $2.16 | $1.65 |
| 1989 | +10.07% | $1.96 | $2.16 |
| 1988 | +15.62% | $1.69 | $1.96 |
| 1987 | +4.45% | $1.62 | $1.69 |
| 1986 | +12.24% | $1.44 | $1.62 |
| 1985 | +52.78% | $0.95 | $1.44 |
| 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 |
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 40 years (75% 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: 3/24/2026