Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Shares Sold by ExodusPoint Capital Management LP

ExodusPoint Capital Management LP lessened its position in shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL - Free Report) by 74.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 33,992 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 100,788 shares during the quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP's holdings in Ecolab were worth $7,965,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC raised its position in Ecolab by 14.1% in the fourth quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 14,973 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,508,000 after acquiring an additional 1,847 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors grew its stake in shares of Ecolab by 34.7% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 17,361 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $4,068,000 after acquiring an additional 4,475 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corp raised its stake in Ecolab by 96.3% during the 4th quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 19,159 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $4,489,000 after acquiring an additional 9,400 shares during the period. Bryce Point Capital LLC bought a new position in Ecolab in the 4th quarter worth $501,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP raised its position in shares of Ecolab by 289.6% during the fourth quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 59,995 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $14,058,000 after buying an additional 44,596 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.91% of the company's stock.

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Ecolab Stock Down 2.7 %

Ecolab stock traded down $6.52 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $231.03. The company's stock had a trading volume of 315,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,142,598. Ecolab Inc. has a 52-week low of $217.05 and a 52-week high of $273.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.32, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.14. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $255.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $249.45.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The basic materials company reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.81. Ecolab had a return on equity of 22.50% and a net margin of 13.42%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Ecolab Inc. will post 7.54 EPS for the current year.

Ecolab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. Ecolab's payout ratio is 35.23%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ecolab

In related news, SVP Jennifer J. Bradway sold 856 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $267.37, for a total value of $228,868.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,140 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,106,911.80. This represents a 17.13 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Larry L. Berger sold 10,858 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $266.95, for a total value of $2,898,543.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 15,744 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,202,860.80. This trade represents a 40.82 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 17,435 shares of company stock worth $4,637,985. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on ECL shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $295.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Robert W. Baird set a $277.00 price target on Ecolab in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Ecolab from $313.00 to $265.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Ecolab from $285.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Ecolab from $257.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $284.00.

About Ecolab

Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries.