Do Wall Street Analysts Like Ecolab Stock?

Ecolab Inc. (ECL), headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a leading provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services. With a market capitalization of $86 billion, the company offers a range of services including food safety, sanitation, optimization of water and energy use, and enhancement of operational efficiency and sustainability.

Over the past year, ECL’s stock has outperformed the broader market, with a 13.7% increase compared to the S&P 500 Index’s 12.3% rally. In 2026, ECL’s stock rose by 15.3%, surpassing the SPX’s marginal rise on a year-to-date basis. While ECL has underperformed compared to the Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA), with the ETF gaining about 17.9% over the past year, ECL’s double-digit returns on a year-to-date basis outshine the ETF’s 9.9% gains.

On February 10, ECL shares closed up by 4% after reporting its fourth-quarter results. The company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.08 exceeded Wall Street expectations of $2.06, while its revenue of $4.20 billion topped forecasts of $4.19 billion. ECL expects full-year adjusted EPS to be in the range of $8.43 to $8.63.

For fiscal 2026, analysts expect ECL’s EPS to grow by 13.2% to $8.52 on a diluted basis. The company’s earnings surprise history is mixed, with ECL beating or matching the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on one occasion.

Of the 28 analysts covering ECL stock, the consensus is a “Moderate Buy,” based on 13 “Strong Buy” ratings, two “Moderate Buys,” and 13 “Holds.” The mean price target of $317.52 represents a 4.9% premium to ECL’s current price levels, with a street-high price target of $352 suggesting an upside potential of 16.3%.

On February 13, Berenberg Bank maintained a “Hold” rating on ECL with a price target of $299. The configuration of ECL’s stock has been relatively stable over the past three months.

In conclusion, Ecolab Inc. continues to be a strong player in the cleaning and sanitation industry, with solid financial performance and positive outlook from analysts. Investors may want to keep an eye on this stock for potential growth opportunities.