Here's What Key Metrics Tell Us About Ecolab (ECL) Q4 Earnings

For the quarter ended December 2024, Ecolab (ECL) reported revenue of $4.01 billion, up 1.7% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.81, compared to $1.55 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.97 billion, representing a surprise of +0.77%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +1.12%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.79.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.Here is how Ecolab performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Sales- Global Healthcare and Life Sciences (Fixed Currency rates): $322.10 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $322.27 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -21.5%. Sales- Global Industrial (Public Currency rates): $2.03 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $2.01 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +9.3%. Sales- Global Institutional & Specialty (Public Currency rates): $1.36 billion versus $1.36 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +5.7% change. Sales- Global Institutional & Specialty (Fixed Currency rates): $1.37 billion compared to the $1.37 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +6% year over year. Sales- Global Pest Elimination (Public Currency rates): $293.80 million compared to the $296 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -20.2% year over year. Sales- Global Pest Elimination (Fixed Currency Rates): $295.20 million versus $298.05 million estimated by three analysts on average. Sales- Global Industrial (Fixed Currency rates): $2.07 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $2.04 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +10.4%. Sales- Global Healthcare & Life Sciences (Public Currency rates): $318.80 million versus $312.85 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -22.1% change. Operating Income- Global Industrial (Public Currency rates): $365.70 million versus $360.53 million estimated by four analysts on average. Operating Income- Global Institutional & Specialty (Public Currency rates): $285.70 million compared to the $303.82 million average estimate based on four analysts. Operating Income- Global Institutional & Specialty (Fixed Currency rates): $288.40 million compared to the $300.61 million average estimate based on three analysts. Operating Income- Global Healthcare and Life Sciences (Fixed currency rates): $40.70 million compared to the $28.83 million average estimate based on three analysts. View all Key Company Metrics for Ecolab here>>>Shares of Ecolab have returned +5.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks