40,248 Shares in Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Acquired by Nemes Rush Group LLC

Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 40,248 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $9,431,000. Ecolab makes up 1.2% of Nemes Rush Group LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ECL. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV lifted its position in shares of Ecolab by 134.8% during the fourth quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 108 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Graney & King LLC bought a new position in shares of Ecolab during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ecolab in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ecolab in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ecolab during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 74.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ecolab Price Performance

Ecolab stock traded down $12.59 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $237.65. 2,594,535 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,133,760. 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 quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market cap of $67.41 billion, a PE ratio of 32.20, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.14. The company's fifty day moving average is $256.93 and its 200-day moving average is $250.15.

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

Ecolab Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. Ecolab's payout ratio is 35.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on ECL shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Ecolab from $295.00 to $313.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $285.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Ecolab from $295.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Ecolab from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $270.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Ecolab from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Four 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 stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $289.33.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Larry L. Berger sold 10,858 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $266.95, for a total transaction of $2,898,543.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 15,744 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,202,860.80. This trade represents a 40.82 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director David Maclennan bought 400 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $264.51 per share, with a total value of $105,804.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 18,767 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,964,059.17. This represents a 2.18 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 17,435 shares of company stock worth $4,637,985. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Ecolab Company Profile

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.