Price to Earnings (P/E)
since 2005
Calculation
Ecolab Inc., P/E, long-term trends, calculation
| P/E | = | Share price1, 2, 3 | ÷ | Earnings per share1 (EPS) | EPS1 | = | Net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab1 (in thousands) |
÷ | No. shares of common stock outstanding2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2022 | 45.76 | = | 180.30 | ÷ | 3.94 | 3.94 | = | 1,129,900 | ÷ | 286,751,531 | |
| Feb 26, 2021 | — | = | 209.36 | ÷ | -4.22 | -4.22 | = | -1,205,100 | ÷ | 285,849,956 | |
| Feb 28, 2020 | 33.36 | = | 180.45 | ÷ | 5.41 | 5.41 | = | 1,558,900 | ÷ | 288,166,440 | |
| Mar 1, 2019 | 34.27 | = | 170.16 | ÷ | 4.96 | 4.96 | = | 1,429,100 | ÷ | 287,853,232 | |
| Feb 23, 2018 | 25.06 | = | 130.84 | ÷ | 5.22 | 5.22 | = | 1,508,400 | ÷ | 288,858,441 | |
| Feb 24, 2017 | 29.77 | = | 125.50 | ÷ | 4.22 | 4.22 | = | 1,229,600 | ÷ | 291,718,512 | |
| Feb 26, 2016 | 31.39 | = | 106.28 | ÷ | 3.39 | 3.39 | = | 1,002,100 | ÷ | 296,001,857 | |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 28.75 | = | 115.54 | ÷ | 4.02 | 4.02 | = | 1,202,800 | ÷ | 299,250,034 | |
| Feb 28, 2014 | 33.49 | = | 107.75 | ÷ | 3.22 | 3.22 | = | 967,800 | ÷ | 300,767,420 | |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 31.79 | = | 75.84 | ÷ | 2.39 | 2.39 | = | 703,600 | ÷ | 294,954,864 | |
| Feb 28, 2012 | 38.89 | = | 61.75 | ÷ | 1.59 | 1.59 | = | 462,500 | ÷ | 291,269,964 | |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 21.16 | = | 48.23 | ÷ | 2.28 | 2.28 | = | 530,300 | ÷ | 232,664,561 | |
| Feb 26, 2010 | 23.86 | = | 42.14 | ÷ | 1.77 | 1.77 | = | 417,300 | ÷ | 236,263,986 | |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 16.75 | = | 31.78 | ÷ | 1.90 | 1.90 | = | 448,100 | ÷ | 236,192,852 | |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 27.72 | = | 47.90 | ÷ | 1.73 | 1.73 | = | 427,200 | ÷ | 247,200,121 | |
| Feb 28, 2007 | 28.76 | = | 42.30 | ÷ | 1.47 | 1.47 | = | 368,615 | ÷ | 250,634,287 | |
| Feb 28, 2006 | 28.68 | = | 36.19 | ÷ | 1.26 | 1.26 | = | 319,481 | ÷ | 253,210,779 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
1 US$
2 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Ecolab Inc. Annual Report.
The annual financial data reveals several notable trends in share price, earnings per share (EPS), and price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio over the observed period.
- Share Price
- The share price demonstrates a general upward trajectory from 2006 through 2021, increasing from $36.19 in 2006 to a peak of $209.36 in 2021. There are periods of volatility, notably a decline in 2009 to $31.78 from a prior high of $47.90 in 2008, likely reflecting broader market conditions. After the peak in 2021, the share price decreased to $180.30 in 2022, indicating a correction or market adjustment.
- Earnings Per Share (EPS)
- The EPS generally increased over the time frame until 2020, with fluctuations. Starting at $1.26 in 2006, EPS rose to $5.41 in 2020, exhibiting strong earnings growth. However, 2021 shows a significant anomaly with EPS plunging to -$4.22, indicating a substantial loss that year. The EPS recovers to $3.94 in 2022, suggesting a rebound in profitability after the loss.
- Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio
- The P/E ratio fluctuates considerably over the years, starting around 28.68 in 2006, dipping to a low of 16.75 in 2009, and then increasing to highs such as 38.89 in 2012 and 45.76 in 2022. The sharp decrease in 2009 could be associated with a temporary improvement in earnings relative to the share price drop during the financial crisis. The peak P/E ratio in 2022 coincides with the EPS recovery after the negative earnings in 2021, which may indicate higher market expectations or a lag in price adjustment. The P/E ratio is not available in 2021, likely due to the negative EPS in that year making the ratio undefined or not meaningful.
Overall, the share price and EPS exhibit long-term growth with some volatility connected to economic cycles and company-specific events. The sharp negative EPS in 2021 represents an outlier in profitability, yet the subsequent recovery and share price behavior suggest resilience. The P/E ratio's variability reflects changing market sentiment and earnings performance over time.
Comparison to Competitors
Ecolab Inc., P/E, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Ecolab Inc. | Linde plc | Sherwin-Williams Co. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2022 | 45.76 | 38.92 | 37.32 |
| Feb 26, 2021 | — | 52.57 | 31.64 |
| Feb 28, 2020 | 33.36 | 46.22 | 34.31 |
| Mar 1, 2019 | 34.27 | 19.41 | 36.79 |
| Feb 23, 2018 | 25.06 | 34.48 | 21.12 |
| Feb 24, 2017 | 29.77 | 22.87 | 25.74 |
| Feb 26, 2016 | 31.39 | 18.76 | 22.74 |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 28.75 | 21.92 | 31.54 |
| Feb 28, 2014 | 33.49 | 21.31 | 26.50 |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 31.79 | 19.64 | 26.48 |
| Feb 28, 2012 | 38.89 | 19.45 | 23.80 |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 21.16 | 24.62 | 19.17 |
| Feb 26, 2010 | 23.86 | 18.56 | 16.18 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 16.75 | 15.03 | 11.36 |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 27.72 | 22.42 | 10.62 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | 28.76 | 20.00 | 15.53 |
| Feb 28, 2006 | 28.68 | 24.39 | 12.72 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Chemicals)
Ecolab Inc., P/E, long-term trends, comparison to sector (chemicals)
| Ecolab Inc. | Chemicals | |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2022 | 45.76 | 38.39 |
| Feb 26, 2021 | — | 43.19 |
| Feb 28, 2020 | 33.36 | 41.42 |
| Mar 1, 2019 | 34.27 | 22.92 |
| Feb 23, 2018 | 25.06 | 26.64 |
| Feb 24, 2017 | 29.77 | 24.11 |
| Feb 26, 2016 | 31.39 | 20.37 |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 28.75 | 25.17 |
| Feb 28, 2014 | 33.49 | 22.86 |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 31.79 | 21.50 |
| Feb 28, 2012 | 38.89 | 20.36 |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 21.16 | 23.10 |
| Feb 26, 2010 | 23.86 | 17.95 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 16.75 | 14.00 |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 27.72 | 18.37 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | 28.76 | 18.36 |
| Feb 28, 2006 | 28.68 | 19.84 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Materials)
Ecolab Inc., P/E, long-term trends, comparison to industry (materials)
| Ecolab Inc. | Materials | |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2022 | 45.76 | 28.21 |
| Feb 26, 2021 | — | 47.50 |
| Feb 28, 2020 | 33.36 | 49.13 |
| Mar 1, 2019 | 34.27 | 17.75 |
| Feb 23, 2018 | 25.06 | 22.15 |
| Feb 24, 2017 | 29.77 | — |
| Feb 26, 2016 | 31.39 | — |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 28.75 | 69.44 |
| Feb 28, 2014 | 33.49 | 17.83 |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 31.79 | 15.06 |
| Feb 28, 2012 | 38.89 | 12.60 |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 21.16 | 14.83 |
| Feb 26, 2010 | 23.86 | 14.87 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | 16.75 | — |
| Feb 25, 2008 | 27.72 | 15.68 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | 28.76 | 13.52 |
| Feb 28, 2006 | 28.68 | 15.84 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).