The Employees Retirement System of Texas has strengthened its investment portfolio by acquiring a significant stake in Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL), purchasing 11,532 shares valued at approximately $3,107,000 during the second quarter of 2023, according to Holdings Channel. This move comes as other institutional investors have either increased or decreased their holdings in the company, reflecting a dynamic investment environment.
Among the notable transactions, the Saudi Central Bank entered the market with a new stake in Ecolab valued at around $25,000 in the first quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. also acquired a new position in the company during the second quarter, estimated at $26,000. Additionally, J. Safra Asset Management Corp significantly increased its stake by 202.6%, now holding 115 shares worth approximately $31,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares.
In further developments, Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a stake valued at $41,000, while NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position by 93.6%, now owning 151 shares valued at $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds now collectively own 74.91% of Ecolab’s stock.
Insider Transactions and Stock Performance
In related news, Ecolab’s Chief Executive Officer, Christophe Beck, sold 21,714 shares of the company on November 12, 2023, at an average price of $261.41, totaling approximately $5,676,256.74. Following this transaction, Beck retains 72,644 shares valued at around $18,989,868.04, representing a 23.01% reduction in his ownership.
Another executive, Boo Alexander A. De, Ecolab’s Executive Vice President, sold 1,422 shares on November 24, 2023, at an average price of $268.25, amounting to $381,451.50. Alexander’s remaining 5,726 shares are valued at approximately $1,535,999.50, reflecting a 19.89% decrease in his position. Insider ownership remains minimal, at just 0.04% of the company’s stock.
Ecolab’s stock has shown a slight increase of 0.6%, opening at $275.03 on Thursday. The company has experienced a 52-week low of $221.62 and a 52-week high of $286.04. Key financial metrics include a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.70, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ecolab boasts a market capitalization of $77.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.52, and a P/E/G ratio of 2.65.
Financial Outlook and Performance
Ecolab recently reported its quarterly earnings on October 28, 2023, revealing earnings per share (EPS) of $2.07, matching analysts’ consensus estimates. The company recorded a net margin of 12.49% and a return on equity of 22.55%. Revenue for the quarter reached $4.17 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $4.12 billion and marking a 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
Looking ahead, Ecolab has provided guidance for the fourth quarter of 2025, projecting EPS between $2.020 and $2.120. For the full fiscal year, the company estimates EPS in the range of $7.480 to $7.580. Equity analysts predict that Ecolab Inc. will report an EPS of $7.54 for the current fiscal year.
Ecolab Inc. delivers essential water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services both in the United States and globally. The company operates through three primary segments: Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences, providing critical services across various industries including food and beverage processing, manufacturing, and healthcare.
For further insights into Ecolab’s performance and investment trends, interested parties can access the latest Holdings Channel for detailed filings and insider trades related to Ecolab Inc.
