Ecolab, Inc. - ECL STOCK NEWS

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) has appointed Christophe Beck to its board of directors. Beck, currently serving as Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, brings 30 years of global management experience across Europe, Asia, and North America. He has held leadership positions at Ecolab since 2007, becoming CEO in 2021 and Chairman in 2022. Prior to Ecolab, Beck worked at Nestle from 1991 to 2006.

Delta's non-executive Chair David Taylor highlighted Beck's extensive leadership experience in complex global businesses and his technological background as valuable additions to Delta's board. Beck holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and aerodynamics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Ecolab has announced a 14% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.65 per common share, payable January 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 17, 2024. This marks the company's 33rd consecutive annual dividend increase, bringing the indicated annual cash dividend to $2.60 per share in 2025. The company has maintained cash dividend payments for 88 consecutive years.

Chairman and CEO Christophe Beck attributes this increase to excellent cash flows, robust balance sheet, and strong business momentum. The company projects 12-15% growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share in 2025 and beyond.

Ecolab (ECL) has announced a scheduled webcast presentation at the Baird 2024 Global Industrial Conference. Chairman and CEO Christophe Beck will address financial analysts on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 12:35pm CST. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes and will be accessible through Ecolab's investor website. A replay of the webcast will remain available until February 13, 2025, through the News and Events section at www.ecolab.com/investor.

Ecolab has acquired Barclay Water Management, a northeastern U.S.-based provider of water safety and digital monitoring solutions. Barclay's key offering includes the proprietary iChlor® Monochloramine System for Legionella bacteria treatment in drinking water systems. The acquisition, which closed on November 1, 2024, brings Barclay's 2023 sales of approximately $50 million to Ecolab's portfolio. The integration aims to combine Barclay's water safety solutions with Ecolab's ECOLAB3D™ digital platform and circular water solutions to create a new growth platform focused on improving water safety and operational efficiency.

Ecolab announced that its climate targets have received approval from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has made significant progress in its sustainability efforts, having sourced over 80% of its electricity globally from renewable sources and achieved a 25% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions through 2023. Through collaboration with customers, Ecolab helped avoid 3.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. The company is pursuing net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050, with a goal to be halfway there by 2030.

Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) reported strong Q3 2024 results with reported sales of $4.0 billion, up 1% year-over-year. Organic sales grew 4% with volume growth strengthening to 2%. The company achieved reported diluted EPS of $2.58 (+83%) and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.83 (+19%). Operating income margin expanded to 26.1%, with organic operating income margin at 17.9%. Free cash flow increased 35% to $1.4 billion. The company raised its full-year 2024 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.60-$6.70, representing 27-29% growth, and expects Q4 2024 adjusted EPS of $1.75-$1.85.

UGI (NYSE: UGI) has announced the appointment of Melanie Ruiz and David Bingenheimer to its Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2024. Ms. Ruiz, currently the Chief Information and Technology Officer at ABM Industries, brings extensive experience in enterprise-wide technology strategy and cybersecurity. Mr. Bingenheimer serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Ecolab Digital at Ecolab Inc., with a strong background in digital information and technology leadership.

Mario Longhi, UGI's Interim President, CEO, and Board Chairman, expressed confidence that the new directors' expertise in IT, strategy, and operations will significantly contribute to UGI's long-term strategy. Both appointees have held senior technology roles in various industries, enhancing the board's capabilities in digital transformation and technological innovation.

Ecolab's 2024 Watermark™ Study reveals significant shifts in consumer behavior due to water concerns. Key findings include:

1. Consumers in China (80%), IMEA (69%), and Latin America (65%) have stopped buying products that use excessive water.

2. A majority across all regions are willing to pay a 1-4% premium for sustainably produced products.

3. Access to clean and safe water remains a top concern, especially in Latin America (90%), China (88%), and the US (80%).

4. Consumers hold businesses and governments most responsible for water conservation but doubt their commitment.

5. Urban consumers show increased concern about climate change compared to rural counterparts.

The study highlights the growing importance of water stewardship in consumer decision-making and business strategies.

Ecolab (ECL) has announced a live webcast to discuss its 2024 third quarter results. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will last for one hour. Ecolab plans to release its Q3 results before the market opens on October 29th.

The webcast will be accessible through www.ecolab.com/investor. For those unable to attend the live event, Ecolab will provide a replay of the webcast and supplemental data on their website. This announcement demonstrates Ecolab's commitment to transparency and keeping investors informed about their financial performance.