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Ecolab Closes Sale of Global Surgical Solutions Business

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Ecolab Inc. has closed the sale of its global surgical solutions business to Medline for approximately $950 million in cash. The company plans to repurchase up to $500 million of its stock during the second half of 2024. Ecolab will continue serving hospitals through its infection prevention and instrument reprocessing businesses.

The sale proceeds will enhance Ecolab's ability to invest in growth opportunities and return capital to shareholders. The company expects to repurchase shares in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, and in accordance with Rule 10b5-1. As of June 30, 2024, Ecolab had approximately 285 million shares outstanding.

Ecolab Inc. ha completato la vendita della sua attività globale di soluzioni chirurgiche a Medline per circa 950 milioni di dollari in contanti. L'azienda prevede di riacquistare fino a 500 milioni di dollari delle proprie azioni nella seconda metà del 2024. Ecolab continuerà a servire gli ospedali attraverso le sue attività di prevenzione delle infezioni e di riutilizzo degli strumenti.

I proventi della vendita miglioreranno la capacità di Ecolab di investire in opportunità di crescita e di restituire capitale agli azionisti. L'azienda si aspetta di riacquistare azioni nel mercato aperto, attraverso transazioni negoziate privatamente e in conformità con la Regola 10b5-1. Al 30 giugno 2024, Ecolab aveva circa 285 milioni di azioni in circolazione.

Ecolab Inc. ha cerrado la venta de su negocio global de soluciones quirúrgicas a Medline por aproximadamente 950 millones de dólares en efectivo. La empresa planea recomprar hasta 500 millones de dólares de sus acciones durante la segunda mitad de 2024. Ecolab continuará sirviendo a los hospitales a través de sus negocios de prevención de infecciones y reprocesamiento de instrumentos.

Los ingresos de la venta mejorarán la capacidad de Ecolab para invertir en oportunidades de crecimiento y devolver capital a los accionistas. La empresa espera recomprar acciones en el mercado abierto, a través de transacciones negociadas de forma privada y de acuerdo con la Regla 10b5-1. A fecha de 30 de junio de 2024, Ecolab tenía aproximadamente 285 millones de acciones en circulación.

Ecolab Inc.는 Medline에 전 세계 외과 솔루션 사업을 매각했다고 하며, 이는 약 9억 5천만 달러에 해당하는 현금 거래이다. 이 회사는 2024년 하반기 동안 5억 달러까지 자사주를 매입할 계획이다. Ecolab은 감염 예방 및 도구 재가공 사업을 통해 병원 서비스를 계속 제공할 것이다.

매각 수익은 Ecolab이 성장 기회에 투자하고 주주에게 자본을 반환할 수 있는 능력을 향상시킬 것이다. 이 회사는 공개 시장에서의 주식 매입, 사적으로 협상된 거래를 통해, 그리고 규칙 10b5-1에 따라 주식을 재매입할 것으로 예상하고 있다. 2024년 6월 30일 기준으로 Ecolab은 약 2억 8천 5백만 주의 주식이 유통 중이다.

Ecolab Inc. a réalisé la vente de son activité mondiale de solutions chirurgicales à Medline pour environ 950 millions de dollars en espèces. L'entreprise prévoit de racheter jusqu'à 500 millions de dollars de ses actions au cours de la seconde moitié de 2024. Ecolab continuera à servir les hôpitaux par le biais de ses activités de prévention des infections et de retraitement des instruments.

Les produits de la vente amélioreront la capacité d'Ecolab à investir dans des opportunités de croissance et à retourner des capitaux aux actionnaires. L'entreprise s'attend à racheter des actions sur le marché, par le biais de transactions négociées en privé et conformément à la règle 10b5-1. Au 30 juin 2024, Ecolab avait environ 285 millions d'actions en circulation.

Ecolab Inc. hat den Verkauf seines globalen Geschäfts mit chirurgischen Lösungen an Medline für circa 950 Millionen Dollar in bar abgeschlossen. Das Unternehmen plant, bis zu 500 Millionen Dollar seiner Aktien in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres 2024 zurückzukaufen. Ecolab wird weiterhin Krankenhäuser über seine Geschäfte zur Infektionsprävention und Instrumentenaufbereitung bedienen.

Die Verkaufserlöse werden die Fähigkeit von Ecolab verbessern, in Wachstumschancen zu investieren und Kapital an die Aktionäre zurückzugeben. Das Unternehmen plant, Aktien am offenen Markt, durch privat verhandelte Transaktionen und gemäß Regel 10b5-1 zurückzukaufen. Am 30. Juni 2024 hatte Ecolab etwa 285 Millionen ausstehende Aktien.

Positive
  • Sale of global surgical solutions business for $950 million in cash
  • Announcement of up to $500 million stock repurchase plan
  • Enhanced ability to invest in growth opportunities
  • Continued focus on infection prevention and instrument reprocessing businesses
Negative
  • Divestiture of a business unit, potentially impacting overall revenue

Ecolab's recent sale of its global surgical solutions business to Medline for $950 million in cash marks a significant strategic move with notable financial implications. This transaction not only strengthens Ecolab's balance sheet but also provides the company with increased financial flexibility.

The announcement of a $500 million stock repurchase program is particularly noteworthy. This represents approximately 1.75% of Ecolab's outstanding shares, based on the 285 million shares reported as of June 30, 2024. Such a move typically signals management's confidence in the company's future prospects and can potentially boost earnings per share by reducing the number of outstanding shares.

However, investors should consider the trade-offs. While the stock buyback may provide short-term support for the share price, it also reduces the cash available for other strategic initiatives or investments in growth opportunities. The decision to allocate a significant portion of the sale proceeds to share repurchases rather than debt reduction or acquisitions suggests that management believes the company's shares are undervalued at current market prices.

It's important to note that Ecolab is retaining its infection prevention and instrument reprocessing businesses, which align well with its core competencies and growth model. This strategic focus on high-margin, recurring revenue streams could potentially drive long-term value creation for shareholders.

Overall, while the divestiture and share repurchase program may be viewed positively by the market in the short term, long-term investors should closely monitor how effectively Ecolab deploys the remaining proceeds to fuel sustainable growth and maintain its competitive edge in the healthcare hygiene and sanitation market.

Ecolab's decision to divest its global surgical solutions business while retaining its infection prevention and instrument reprocessing segments reflects a strategic realignment within the healthcare market. This move allows Ecolab to focus on areas where it has a stronger competitive advantage and higher growth potential.

The global infection control market, which includes Ecolab's retained businesses, is projected to grow significantly due to increased awareness of hospital-acquired infections and stricter hygiene regulations. By concentrating on this sector, Ecolab is positioning itself to capitalize on this growing market trend.

Moreover, the retention of the instrument reprocessing business aligns well with Ecolab's business model of combining technological solutions with proprietary consumables and services. This approach typically leads to higher customer retention rates and more predictable revenue streams, which are highly valued by investors.

The $950 million sale price for the surgical solutions business appears to be a favorable deal for Ecolab, considering the current market conditions and the company's strategic priorities. This transaction allows Ecolab to streamline its operations while maintaining a strong presence in the healthcare sector.

From a market perspective, the announced share repurchase program of up to $500 million is likely to be well-received by investors. Such programs often lead to increased demand for the stock and can potentially drive up the share price in the short term. However, it's important to note that the long-term impact will depend on how effectively Ecolab reinvests the remaining proceeds from the sale to drive innovation and organic growth in its core businesses.

Overall, this strategic move positions Ecolab to focus on higher-margin, more specialized segments of the healthcare market, which could lead to improved profitability and market share in the long run.

Announces Intent to Repurchase up to $500 Million of Its Stock

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ecolab Inc. today closed on the sale of its global surgical solutions business to Medline for total consideration of approximately $950 million in cash. With Ecolab’s strong balance sheet, the proceeds from this transaction enhance the company’s ability to invest in attractive growth opportunities and return capital to shareholders. Therefore, the company announced its intent to repurchase up to an additional $500 million of Ecolab stock during the second half of 2024.

Ecolab will continue to serve hospitals through its infection prevention and instrument reprocessing businesses. Infection prevention provides environmental hygiene programs to reduce hospital acquired infections. Instrument reprocessing provides cleaning and sterilization solutions for instruments, which fits well with Ecolab’s growth model as it combines a technological anchor with proprietary consumables and service.

The company expects to repurchase the shares in the open market; in privately negotiated transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions; and through purchases made in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ecolab had approximately 285 million shares outstanding on June 30, 2024. The expected repurchases would be pursuant to the previously announced February 2015 and November 2022 share repurchase authorizations by Ecolab’s Board of Directors.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $15 billion, employs more than 46,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets. www.ecolab.com

Follow us on LinkedIn @Ecolab, Twitter @Ecolab, Instagram @Ecolab_Inc and Facebook @Ecolab.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding uses of cash, including share repurchases and investments. These statements are based on the current expectations of management. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this news release. With respect to share repurchase activity, numerous factors will impact repurchase actions, including market conditions and company cashflows.

Additional risks and uncertainties are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and include the impact of economic factors such as the worldwide economy, interest rates, foreign currency risk, reduced sales and earnings in our international operations resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar, demand uncertainty, supply chain challenges and inflation; the vitality of the markets we serve; exposure to global economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations, including geopolitical instability and the escalation of armed conflicts; our ability to successfully execute organizational change and management transitions; information technology infrastructure failures or breaches in data security; difficulty in procuring raw materials or fluctuations in raw material costs; the occurrence of severe public health outbreaks not limited to COVID-19; our ability to acquire complementary businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this news release may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

(ECL-C)

Investor Contacts:



Andrew C. Hedberg

+1 651 250 2185



Cairn Clark

+1 651 250 2291



Press Contacts



Nigel Glennie

+1 651 250 4724

MediaRelations@ecolab.com

Source: Ecolab Inc.

FAQ

How much did Ecolab (ECL) sell its global surgical solutions business for?

Ecolab (ECL) sold its global surgical solutions business to Medline for approximately $950 million in cash.

What is Ecolab's (ECL) plan for stock repurchases in the second half of 2024?

Ecolab (ECL) announced its intent to repurchase up to $500 million of its stock during the second half of 2024.

Which healthcare-related businesses will Ecolab (ECL) continue to operate after the sale?

Ecolab (ECL) will continue to serve hospitals through its infection prevention and instrument reprocessing businesses.

How many outstanding shares did Ecolab (ECL) have as of June 30, 2024?

Ecolab (ECL) had approximately 285 million shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024.

Ecolab, Inc.

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