Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

In the past six months, Ecolab Inc. has experienced several notable events. The company's stock price increased by 6.20% between October 2, 2024, and October 1, 2025, and as of October 6, 2025, the stock has seen a 16.33% increase over the last six months. Ecolab entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ovivo's Electronics business for $1.8 billion. Ecolab introduced Ecolab CIP IQ, an AI-enhanced clean-in-place digital solution, and announced a strategic partnership with 4T2 Sensors. Ecolab recently disclosed a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share, payable on October 15, 2025. Analysts have given Ecolab a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy," with an average 12-month price objective of $292.00. In the past three months, Ecolab insiders have sold more company stock than they have bought.

Specific detailed information regarding the demand seasonality for Ecolab, Inc.'s products and services was not explicitly found in the provided search results. However, demand could be influenced by factors such as seasonal fluctuations in the hospitality and foodservice sectors, industrial production cycles, consistent demand for infection prevention solutions in healthcare, and seasonality related to planting, harvesting, and livestock cycles in agriculture.

Ecolab Inc. is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, primarily serving commercial and industrial customers. The company operates within the Chemicals, Service, Water Management, Food Safety, Infection Prevention, Industrial Goods and Machinery, Basic Materials, Soap & Cleaning Compound Manufacturing, and Pest Control sectors and industries. Ecolab's product portfolio includes a wide range of solutions applied across diverse industries including hospitality, foodservice, oil and gas, retail, pulp and paper, mining, life sciences, transportation, and primary metals.

Ecolab Inc. has a significant global presence, operating in over 170 countries and maintaining 144 office locations worldwide. The company's operations are divided into seven key regions: the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Greater China, India, the Middle East and Africa, and Canada. Ecolab adapts its offerings to meet local market needs internationally, often mirroring its U.S.-based segment offerings, particularly in the Institutional and Food & Beverage sectors.

Ecolab has maintained a strong brand reputation over the past year, receiving several notable recognitions. Ecolab was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the World's Most Admired Companies for the ninth consecutive year, ranking first in the chemicals industry. Ecolab was named one of America's Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC for the fourth consecutive year, climbing to No. 7 overall and retaining its No. 1 position in the chemicals industry. Ecolab is recognized as a global sustainability leader, focusing on water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. Ecolab has also been recognized in 2025 for being among Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies, a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by Disability:IN, one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, and one of America's Best Large Employers by Forbes. No significant negative events impacting Ecolab's brand reputation in the past year were found in the search results.

Ecolab Inc. is heavily dominated by institutional owners, who collectively hold approximately 74% to 79.79% of the company's shares. The largest institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp. Individual investors, including retail investors and insiders, own about 26% of the company. William H. Gates III (Bill Gates) is noted as the largest individual Ecolab shareholder, owning 60.05 million shares, representing 21.17% of the company.