Ecolab Inc. (ECL) Stock Analysis
Over the past 10 years, Ecolab (ECL) earnings per share (EPS) grew 8.0% a year, revenue grew 1.7% a year and free cash flow grew 4.9% a year, with an average return on invested capital (ROIC) of 9.6%. ECL stock trades at $285.03, a P/E of 38.0, below its historical average of 41.6. Analysts' average 12-month price target is $326.38 (+14.5%).
Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Global Water, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Pest Elimination, and Global Life Sciences.
Exhibit A Growth Dossier
| Metric | 10yr | 5yr | 1yr | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Value/Share GrowthBV/S | 4.1% | 9.8% | 8.8% | C+ |
| EPS GrowthEPS | 8.0% | 54.9% | 10.8% | A- |
| Revenue GrowthRevenue | 1.7% | 6.4% | 7.1% | C |
| Cash Flow GrowthCash Flow | 4.9% | 6.8% | 19.1% | B |
| ROICROIC | 9.6% | 9.6% | 11.9% | B+ |
Exhibit B Valuation Ledger
- Current EPS
- $7.50
- Historical Avg P/E
- 41.6
- Future P/E (used for sticker price)
- Projected EPS (10yr)
- Sticker Price (10yr)
- Price for 15% Annual Return
- Expected Annual Return
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Not investment advice — a structured read of historical fundamentals, not a forecast or recommendation. Always do your own research.
Exhibit C Raw Data (last 10 years)
| Metric | Trend | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | TTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Value / ShareBV/S | $22.93 | $23.26 | $25.91 | $27.33 | $29.69 | $21.49 | $24.99 | $25.25 | $28.08 | $30.56 | $34.26 | $35.54 | |
| Basic EPSEPS | $3.38 | $4.20 | $5.20 | $4.95 | $5.41 | -$4.20 | $3.95 | $3.83 | $4.82 | $7.43 | $7.33 | $7.50 | |
| RevenueRevenue | $13,545,100,000 | $13,152,800,000 | $13,835,900,000 | $14,668,200,000 | $12,562,000,000 | $11,790,200,000 | $12,733,100,000 | $14,187,800,000 | $15,320,200,000 | $15,741,400,000 | $16,081,200,000 | $16,842,500,000 | |
| Free Cash FlowCash Flow | $1,184,600,000 | $1,182,900,000 | $1,222,700,000 | $1,430,600,000 | $1,689,400,000 | $1,371,200,000 | $1,418,900,000 | $1,075,600,000 | $1,637,000,000 | $1,819,400,000 | $1,904,300,000 | $1,874,500,000 | |
| ROIC (%)ROIC | 9.5% | 9.6% | 11.1% | 9.2% | 9.0% | 9.5% | 7.5% | 7.4% | 9.4% | 11.8% | 11.9% | — |
The exact underlying data used to compute the growth rates and grades above. The highlighted TTM column is the trailing twelve months through the most recently reported quarter.
Ticker INVESTigator Price Target
Analyst Data
Price Target
Where the stock trades today vs. the range of 12-month price targets from covering analysts.
37 firms rate it — 29 buy, 7 hold, 1 sell · Most recent Oct 2026
ECL Stock FAQ
What is ECL's stock price target?
The average 12-month analyst price target for ECL is $326.38, with a range of $275.00 to $360.00. That is +14.5% from the current price of $285.03.
Do analysts rate ECL a buy?
Most rate it a buy. Of 37 firms covering Ecolab, the ratings are 29 buy or strong buy, 7 hold and 1 sell or strong sell.
How fast is Ecolab growing?
Annual growth rates for ECL. EPS: 8.0% over 10 years, 54.9% over 5 years, 10.8% over 1 year. Revenue: 1.7% over 10 years, 6.4% over 5 years, 7.1% over 1 year. Free cash flow: 4.9% over 10 years, 6.8% over 5 years, 19.1% over 1 year. Book value per share: 4.1% over 10 years, 9.8% over 5 years, 8.8% over 1 year.
What is ECL's ROIC?
Ecolab's return on invested capital (ROIC) was 11.9% in fiscal 2025. Its 10-year average ROIC is 9.6%. ROIC above 10% is generally a sign of a business with a durable competitive advantage.
What is ECL's P/E ratio?
ECL's current P/E ratio is 38.0, compared with a historical average of 41.6. Trailing earnings per share are $7.50.
What is Ecolab's market cap and stock price?
ECL last traded at $285.03 as of October 19, 2026. Its 52-week range is $243.15 to $309.27. Ecolab has a market cap of $79.90B.
Exhibit D Related Coverage
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Data as of October 19, 2026. Findings are derived from historical fundamentals — not a forecast, not advice. Cross-examine before you invest.
Grades are produced by Ticker INVESTigator's own model from public financial data and are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Do your own research.