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9 analysts' median target is $327[FMP target], stock is $278, +17.4% vs the analyst consensus median. After Q2 +0.5% EPS beat[FMP earnings], the stock moved +0.3%.
B = MoonshotScore 53[multi-pillar formula] + Council 3/6[6-lens rule]. Form 4: 0 transactions[FMP Form 4].
Quick AnswerEcolab Inc. (ECL) Q1 consensus: revenue $4.7B[FMP est], EPS $2.18[FMP est]. 1 consecutive quarters of beat[FMP earnings].
Q2 EPS +0.5% beat[FMP] but the stock +0.3% D+1[FMP D+1].
Watchlist
Pest Elimination Digital Growth
pest_elimination_digital_growth
Pest Elimination delivered 7% growth driven by share gains from the One Ecolab growth initiative, while Ecolab Digital grew 27% reflecting strong adoption of software and connected solutions.
"Pest Elimination also delivered a strong quarter with 7% growth. Driven by share gains from our One Ecolab growth initiative We have deployed nearly 800,000 connected devices at customer sites and continue to expect to reach 1 million connected devices by year-end. ... Ecolab Digital grew 27%, reflecting strong adoption of software and connected solutions that help customers optimize performance in real-time."
- Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Food And Beverage Growth
food_and_beverage_growth
The Food and Beverage business delivered strong 7% sales growth, reaching the higher end of its long-term targets, driven by the One Ecolab approach and the integration of food safety with water capabilities.
"You mentioned 7%. If you remember, so our long-term target for this business is 5% to 7%. So they are at the higher end of that range. And why that? I will give you the simple answer here. it is the One Ecolab approach where the team has brought together our food safety capabilities, with our water capabilities as one integrated organization."
- Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Life Sciences Accelerated Growth Margin
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Life Sciences accelerated to 15% growth, driven by strong share gains in bioprocessing and pharma, delivering an exceptional mid-20% operating income margin this quarter.
"Life sciences accelerated to 15% growth. Driven by very strong share gains in bioprocessing and pharma and personal care, and improved performance in purification. We have been investing in talent, capabilities, capacity, and breakthrough innovation for years in this high-growth business. And those investments now are clearly paying off. In Purolite bioprocessing, we continue to take market share. With the innovative resin technologies we have launched over the last few years. As a result, our business continues to rapidly scale as customers move their drugs into commercial manufacturing. Life sciences margin performance was exceptional this quarter. Delivering a mid-20% operating income margin giving a strong indication of the high-margin profile this business has."
- Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Fy27 Operating Margin Target
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Ecolab remains committed to its 20% operating income margin target for 2027, despite the incremental amortization from the CoolIT acquisition, partially offset by the Nalco amortization falling off next year.
"Yes, Timothy. You understood that right. So we have been very consistent, by the way, on making sure that we stay on our commitment of delivering 20% operating income in 2027. So that remains unchanged. ... The only thing, Timothy, that I would add is that next year, as you might remember, the Nalco amortization falls off, and so that is also as part of when you said how do you reconcile that, that we do get the benefit of, annualizing on the CoolIT amortization but offset by the Nalco amortization."
- Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO / Scott D. Kirkland, CFO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Capex Investment Strategy
capex_investment_strategy
Ecolab plans to invest ahead of growth in its high-growth engines like Global High-Tech and Life Sciences, expecting CapEx to remain around 7% of sales for the next couple of years.
"Just more broadly, as Christophe talked about, we will invest ahead of growth in the growth engines, but it expect that the CapEx as a company to remain similar to where we are at now, for the next couple of years, and we have talked about this for a little while. Likely remaining around 7% the next couple of years because we are investing ahead for the global high-tech business and life science."
- Scott D. Kirkland, CFO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Global High Tech 2030 Targets
global_high_tech_2030_targets
Ecolab's Global High-Tech platform, including Ovivo and CoolIT, is projected to grow over 25% annually, reaching $4 billion in sales by 2030 with a 25% operating income margin, reflecting accelerated demand in AI infrastructure.
"Together with Ovivo and CoolIT, our global high-tech platform is expected to grow more than 25% annually. Reaching $4 billion in sales by 2030, with an operating income margin of 25%. These targets represent an increase from our previous expectations of more than 20% growth and 20% OI margin reflecting the acceleration we are seeing in this business."
- Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Stock Expert AI - Methodology
multi-pillar methodology. Cash Runway and Price Momentum strong. Revenue Growth weak.
How is it calculated? ->6 investor frameworks. 3 bullish (Ray Dalio, Ken Griffin, Buffett), 0 bearish (none), 3 neutral (Jim Simons, Klarman, Munger).
How is it calculated? ->Quality business, trading at fair value.
How is it calculated? ->Past Performance
Q2 (July 28, 2026): EPS $2.09 vs $2.08 est[FMP], +0.5% beat. D+1 movement: +0.3%[FMP D+1]. Decline despite beat - market reacted to guidance, not numbers.
Q2: EPS $2.09 vs $2.08 beat[FMP], stock +0.3% D+1[FMP].
No RPO/backlog concentration disclosed in Q2 earnings call.
Q2 CapEx $240.1M[FMP cashflow]. Q2 op margin 17.2%[FMP op margin] - this level in Q1 is sensitive to CapEx revision risk.
"Just more broadly, as Christophe talked about, we will invest ahead of growth in the growth engines, but it expect that the CapEx as a company to remain similar to where we are at now, for the next couple of years, and we have talked about this for a little while. Likely remaining around 7% the next couple of years because we are investing ahead for the global high-tech business and life science."
- Scott D. Kirkland, CFO - Q2 FY26 Earnings Call - July 28, 2026
Not advice - a structural framework for earnings night. Decision discipline is yours.
Market Outlook
You read it in 5 minutes. When the numbers come out on Tuesday evening - you know what you're looking at.
Data arrives at night. The framework is ready now.
Data arrives on Tuesday evening. The framework is ready on this page: Q1 EPS threshold $2.18[FMP], CapEx threshold "below $240.1M". Two anchors, three scenarios.
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Calendar
DATA GAP: Events not in the FMP /stable/calendar feed - Investor day, analyst day, product launches, regulatory dates. These require company IR page scraping or manual calendar entry.
This Ecolab Inc. (ECL) earnings preview covers the analyst consensus, key catalysts, and what to watch on the earnings call.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Consensus EPS, revenue guidance, segment growth rates, and the tone of management commentary — the full breakdown with sources is on this page.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Figures are sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) fundamentals and consensus data plus official earnings-call transcripts; derived metrics are labeled with their source next to each figure.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL): No. This page is educational research, not investment advice. It summarizes analyst consensus and company data; consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision.