Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) shares moved higher Tuesday after the company topped fourth-quarter (Q4) expectations and delivered an upbeat outlook.
Adjusted EPS came in at $2.08, edging past consensus of $2.07, while revenue of $4.196 billion slightly exceeded estimates. Sales rose 5% year over year, with 3% organic growth, as margins expanded and operating income climbed.
Adjusted gross profit increased to $1.85 billion from $1.74 billion a year ago, lifting gross margin to 44.1%. Organic operating income rose 12% year over year, supported by stronger sales and productivity gains, with adjusted organic operating margin expanding 140 basis points to 18.5%.
The St. Paul, Minnesota-based …