Ecolab IncNYSE: ECL
Materials · Specialty Chemicals
$259.78
-0.31%
Vol: 664K
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Ecolab Q1 2026 strong with 13% adj EPS growth; CoolIT acquisition driving high-tech growth.
Ecolab delivered mid-teens earnings growth with adjusted EPS +13% and Q1 2026 revenue $4.07B, beating estimates and reaffirming FY adjusted EPS guidance $8.43-$8.63. Organic sales +4% driven by life sciences, global high-tech, institutional, and specialty segments with life sciences accelerating to 11% growth. Major CoolIT Systems acquisition for $4.75B creating $1.5B high-tech powerhouse targeting AI data center cooling and water circularity. CoolIT Q1 sales growing well ahead of 30%+ guidance. Deutsche Bank upgrade to Buy, Berenberg raised PT to $326.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Ecolab acquires CoolIT Systems for $4.75 billion, a major liquid cooling provider for AI data centers, expanding high-growth segment.Positive▶
Ecolab announced the acquisition of CoolIT Systems from KKR for $4.75 billion, targeting the rapidly growing AI data center cooling market. The company reported strong Q1 2026 results with sales up 10% to $4.1 billion and organic sales growth accelerating to 4%. Ecolab also expanded Global Bioprocessing Capabilities with a new Advanced Development and Applications Center in Korea announced April 29, 2026. Berenberg upgraded the stock to Buy with a $326 price target amid expectations for 10-14% price increases. Multiple analysts raised targets, with the mean price target at $319.79 representing 19.28% upside.
Apr 16Ecolab to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to expand AI data center coolingPositive▶
Ecolab announced acquisition of CoolIT Systems (liquid cooling for AI data centers) from KKR for $4.75B cash. CoolIT expected to generate ~$550M sales over next 12 months. Separately, Ecolab implementing global 10-14% energy surcharge effective April 1, 2026, citing sharp energy cost inflation (oil +60% since end-2025, European natural gas +80%). Named 2026 World's Most Ethical Company for 20th consecutive year. 15 analysts rate Buy; $318.29 average 12-month target (20% upside).
Apr 15Ecolab to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to bolster AI data center liquid cooling capabilities; dividend raised to $0.73.Positive▶
Ecolab agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems from KKR for $4.75B, expanding into high-margin AI data center liquid cooling technology. Company reported record Q4 2025 with sales of $4.20B (+5%), adjusted EPS of $2.08 (+15%). 2026 guidance: adjusted EPS of $8.43-$8.63. Quarterly dividend increased to $0.73 (89 consecutive years). Named World's Most Ethical Company for 20th straight year. Q1 earnings April 28.
Apr 14Ecolab to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to expand AI data center cooling; implements 10-14% energy surcharge.Mixed▶
Ecolab announced definitive agreement to acquire CoolIT Systems from KKR for $4.75 billion in cash, expected to close Q3 2026. CoolIT expected to generate ~$550M in annual sales. Implemented global 10-14% energy surcharge effective April 1 citing Middle East conflict. Split COO role into two positions. Q1 2026 earnings expected April 28.
Apr 13Ecolab announces $4.75B CoolIT Systems acquisition for AI data center cooling; implements 10-14% energy surcharge.Positive▶
Ecolab will acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B in cash to expand liquid cooling for AI data centers; CoolIT expected to generate $550M sales in next 12 months. Company implements 10-14% global energy surcharge effective April 1. Guides 2026 adjusted diluted EPS of $8.43-$8.63 (12-15% growth). Berenberg upgraded to Buy with $326 price target. Buy consensus from 15 analysts with $318.29 target.
Apr 10Ecolab implemented 10-14% global energy surcharge effective April 1; CoolIT Systems acquisition positioned for $550M annual sales.Positive▶
Ecolab announced a global 10-14% energy surcharge effective April 1, 2026 due to Middle East conflict and energy volatility. Q1 2026 earnings expected April 28 with analysts projecting $1.70 EPS, a 13.3% YoY increase. CoolIT Systems acquisition expected to generate approximately $550 million in annual sales with 20%+ margins by 2027. Stock currently trading around $264 with Buy rating and $318.29 12-month target.
Apr 9Ecolab to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B, expanding AI data center cooling businessPositive▶
Ecolab announced a definitive agreement to acquire CoolIT Systems for approximately $4.75 billion in cash, positioning the company as a leader in liquid cooling technology for next-generation AI data centers. CoolIT is expected to generate approximately $550 million in sales over the next 12 months and boost the Global High-Tech opportunity to $10 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Additionally, Ecolab split its COO role effective April 1, appointing Darrell R. Brown as Co-COO and Greg B. Cook as Co-COO. The company reported record Q4 2025 results with adjusted diluted EPS of $2.08 (+15%) and expects 2026 adjusted diluted EPS of $8.43–$8.63 (+12%–15%).
Apr 8Ecolab Restructures Leadership, Acquires CoolIT Systems for $4.75BPositive▶
Ecolab splitting COO role effective April 1 with Darrell Brown and Greg Cook appointed as Co-COOs. Completed $4.75B acquisition of CoolIT Systems to enhance AI data center cooling capabilities. Q1 earnings due April 28 with EPS projection of $1.70 (+13.3% YoY). Buy consensus from 15 analysts.
Apr 7Ecolab acquires CoolIT Systems for $4.75B, targeting AI data center cooling; Berenberg upgrades to BuyPositive▶
Ecolab agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems, liquid cooling technology provider for AI data centers, from KKR for $4.75B. Also closed acquisition of Ovivo's electronics ultrapure water business for semiconductors. Named one of world's most ethical companies for 20th consecutive year. Launched Water Use Efficiency Index partnership with CDP. Berenberg upgraded to Buy from Hold with $326 PT. 15 analysts recommend Buy with $318.29 average 12-month target, 20.44% upside.
Apr 6Ecolab acquires CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to expand AI data center cooling capabilitiesPositive▶
Ecolab agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems, a liquid cooling technology provider for AI data centers, from KKR for $4.75 billion in cash. The acquisition positions Ecolab for growth in the high-demand AI cooling market. 2025 revenue reached $16.08 billion, up 2.16%. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with Baird cutting its target while JPMorgan upgraded to Buy. Berenberg upgraded to Buy with price target of $326, expecting price increases of 10%–14%. Consensus analyst rating is "Buy" with 12-month price target of $318.29, representing 20.44% upside.
Apr 3Ecolab announces $4.75B CoolIT Systems acquisition and implements 10-14% global energy surcharge effective April 1.Positive▶
Ecolab is acquiring CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to expand its advanced liquid cooling capabilities for AI data centers, expected to close in Q3 2026. The company implemented a 10-14% energy surcharge globally starting April 1. Q1 earnings scheduled for April 28. Maintains FY2026 guidance of 8.43-8.63 EPS.
Apr 2Ecolab acquired CoolIT Systems for $4.75B to expand AI data center cooling solutions.Positive▶
Ecolab Inc. agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems, a liquid cooling technology provider for AI data centers, from KKR for $4.75 billion in cash. This strategic move signals the company's transition from a defensive hygiene leader to a high-growth compounder driven by AI infrastructure and data center water solutions. Berenberg upgraded the stock to Buy with a $326 price target. Analysts see 20% upside potential, with the stock recently trading near its all-time high set on Feb 24, 2026.
Apr 1Ecolab completes landmark $4.75B CoolIT Systems acquisition, entering AI data center cooling market.Positive▶
Ecolab finalized its strategic acquisition of CoolIT Systems, positioning the company as a major player in direct liquid cooling for AI supercomputers. The deal is expected to accelerate organic sales growth by 1 percentage point starting 2027. However, net debt-to-EBITDA spiked to 3.0x. Consensus average PT is $315.73 (23.10% upside).
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHWSHERWIN | $317.83 | -1.18% | +1.6% | 24.2x | 1.27 | $79.3B |
| ECLECOLAB | $259.78 | -0.31% | -2.4% | 27.2x | 1.02 | $73.6B |
| PPGPPG | $107.42 | -1.00% | +4.5% | 12.4x | 1.16 | $24.3B |
| LYBLYONDELLBASELL | $74.91 | +0.42% | -5.1% | 13.1x | 0.44 | $24.1B |
| ALBALBEMARLE | $193.55 | -1.60% | +13.7% | 21.8x | 1.43 | $23.2B |
| DDDUPONT | $46.29 | +1.38% | +0.2% | 17.9x | 1.12 | $18.7B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.