Ecolab shares rise on solid 2025 profit forecast; Q4 results match estimates

Investing.com -- Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) posted in-line results for the fourth quarter and issued upbeat guidance for the full fiscal 2025, sending its shares rising more than 4% in premarket trading Tuesday. 

Ecolab reported Q4 earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81, matching consensus expectations. Revenue came in at $4.01 billion, just ahead of the $4 billion projected by analysts.

The company's adjusted gross margin rose to 43.4% from 42.1% a year earlier but fell short of the 43.8% estimate.

“2024 was another exceptional year for Ecolab, with sales, organic operating income margin, free cash flow, and adjusted diluted earnings per share all reaching record levels," said Christophe Beck, chairman and CEO of Ecolab.

T"his outstanding performance was fueled by the significant total value the Ecolab team and technologies delivered to our customers. We also continued to invest in breakthrough innovation, new digital capabilities, and our sales and service expertise."

Going forward, Ecolab projects Q1 2025 EPS between $1.47 and $1.53, compared to the consensus projection of $1.49.

The company also expects full-year 2025 EPS in the range of $7.42 to $7.62, with the midpoint of that range well ahead of the $7.45 consensus.