Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net
Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Analysis of Profitability Ratios
Quarterly Data

Beginner level

Profitability ratios measure the company’s ability to generate profitable sales from its resources (assets).

Profitability Ratios (Summary)

Ecolab Inc., profitability ratios (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Return on Sales
Gross profit margin 41.01% 41.25% 41.64% 41.48% 41.19% 41.02% 41.17% 41.19% 42.58% 43.93% 44.97% 46.49% 46.83% 47.27% 47.35% 47.55% 47.13% 46.75% 46.87% 46.67% — — —
Operating profit margin 11.91% 12.49% 13.64% 13.51% 13.71% 13.29% 13.33% 13.27% 13.69% 14.31% 14.14% 14.60% 14.39% 14.54% 14.50% 14.56% 12.72% 11.45% 11.58% 11.53% — — —
Net profit margin -8.21% -6.17% 10.32% 10.46% 10.27% 10.12% 10.05% 9.74% 10.99% 10.83% 10.62% 10.90% 9.67% 9.66% 9.47% 9.35% 8.11% 7.20% 7.49% 7.40% — — —
Return on Investment
Return on equity (ROE) -17.89% -14.65% 17.52% 17.95% 17.79% 18.18% 17.98% 17.86% 20.18% 19.83% 19.76% 19.80% 18.12% 18.65% 18.39% 17.82% 15.61% 14.48% 15.19% 14.50% — — —
Return on assets (ROA) -5.94% -4.74% 6.92% 7.47% 7.32% 7.18% 7.06% 7.12% 8.01% 7.80% 7.44% 7.56% 6.59% 6.61% 6.51% 6.71% 5.83% 5.25% 5.45% 5.38% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

Profitability ratio Description The company
Gross profit margin Gross profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue available to cover operating and other expenditures. Ecolab Inc.’s gross profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.
Operating profit margin A profitability ratio calculated as operating income divided by revenue. Ecolab Inc.’s operating profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.
Net profit margin An indicator of profitability, calculated as net income divided by revenue. Ecolab Inc.’s net profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.
Profitability ratio Description The company
ROE A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by shareholders’ equity. Ecolab Inc.’s ROE deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.
ROA A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by total assets. Ecolab Inc.’s ROA deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.

Gross Profit Margin

Ecolab Inc., gross profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Gross profit 1,249,000  1,050,000  1,464,600  1,612,500  1,610,500  1,551,200  1,408,700  1,543,700  1,556,500  1,543,500  1,398,600  1,700,000  1,672,000  1,591,100  1,470,100  1,607,000  1,648,900  1,532,000  1,466,000  1,580,300  1,626,400  1,582,600  1,532,300 
Net sales 3,018,600  2,685,700  3,581,400  3,823,600  3,817,900  3,759,400  3,505,400  3,760,500  3,747,200  3,689,600  3,470,900  3,650,700  3,563,300  3,462,700  3,161,600  3,352,100  3,386,100  3,317,200  3,097,400  3,412,000  3,446,400  3,389,100  3,297,600 
Profitability Ratio
Gross profit margin1 41.01% 41.25% 41.64% 41.48% 41.19% 41.02% 41.17% 41.19% 42.58% 43.93% 44.97% 46.49% 46.83% 47.27% 47.35% 47.55% 47.13% 46.75% 46.87% 46.67% — — —
Benchmarks
Gross Profit Margin, Competitors2
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. 34.44% 34.25% 33.87% 32.68% 31.96% 31.34% 30.73% 30.69% 30.17% 29.75% 29.51% 29.73% 30.67% 31.39% 32.33% 32.78% 32.17% 31.62% 30.77% 29.82% — — —
Linde plc 42.76% 42.23% 41.58% 41.04% 39.08% 38.75% 38.85% 39.03% 43.72% 43.76% 43.74% 43.56% 43.63% 43.66% 43.98% 44.37% 44.61% 44.88% 44.80% 44.69% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

1 Q3 2020 Calculation
Gross profit margin = 100 × (Gross profitQ3 2020 + Gross profitQ2 2020 + Gross profitQ1 2020 + Gross profitQ4 2019) ÷ (Net salesQ3 2020 + Net salesQ2 2020 + Net salesQ1 2020 + Net salesQ4 2019)
= 100 × (1,249,000 + 1,050,000 + 1,464,600 + 1,612,500) ÷ (3,018,600 + 2,685,700 + 3,581,400 + 3,823,600) = 41.01%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Gross profit margin Gross profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue available to cover operating and other expenditures. Ecolab Inc.’s gross profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.

Operating Profit Margin

Ecolab Inc., operating profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Operating income 411,400  192,000  397,200  560,400  587,600  498,600  367,200  581,900  516,200  494,600  354,300  627,700  579,800  439,000  373,300  556,900  574,100  412,500  371,500  322,800  413,000  437,800  387,700 
Net sales 3,018,600  2,685,700  3,581,400  3,823,600  3,817,900  3,759,400  3,505,400  3,760,500  3,747,200  3,689,600  3,470,900  3,650,700  3,563,300  3,462,700  3,161,600  3,352,100  3,386,100  3,317,200  3,097,400  3,412,000  3,446,400  3,389,100  3,297,600 
Profitability Ratio
Operating profit margin1 11.91% 12.49% 13.64% 13.51% 13.71% 13.29% 13.33% 13.27% 13.69% 14.31% 14.14% 14.60% 14.39% 14.54% 14.50% 14.56% 12.72% 11.45% 11.58% 11.53% — — —
Benchmarks
Operating Profit Margin, Competitors2
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. 25.86% 25.74% 25.15% 24.04% 23.22% 22.53% 21.93% 22.01% 21.37% 18.68% 18.31% 17.44% 17.98% 20.56% 21.25% 22.11% 21.36% 20.10% 18.37% 17.17% — — —
Linde plc 10.90% 10.95% 10.91% 10.39% 20.45% 22.55% 27.61% 35.21% 21.99% 21.82% 21.52% 21.40% 21.67% 20.89% 21.07% 21.25% 21.58% 22.57% 21.39% 21.54% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

1 Q3 2020 Calculation
Operating profit margin = 100 × (Operating incomeQ3 2020 + Operating incomeQ2 2020 + Operating incomeQ1 2020 + Operating incomeQ4 2019) ÷ (Net salesQ3 2020 + Net salesQ2 2020 + Net salesQ1 2020 + Net salesQ4 2019)
= 100 × (411,400 + 192,000 + 397,200 + 560,400) ÷ (3,018,600 + 2,685,700 + 3,581,400 + 3,823,600) = 11.91%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Operating profit margin A profitability ratio calculated as operating income divided by revenue. Ecolab Inc.’s operating profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.

Net Profit Margin

Ecolab Inc., net profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab 246,200  (2,035,000) 283,400  429,600  464,200  368,600  296,500  395,100  435,400  351,300  247,300  565,900  392,400  296,600  253,500  366,300  374,100  258,400  230,800  208,900  257,800  302,000  233,400 
Net sales 3,018,600  2,685,700  3,581,400  3,823,600  3,817,900  3,759,400  3,505,400  3,760,500  3,747,200  3,689,600  3,470,900  3,650,700  3,563,300  3,462,700  3,161,600  3,352,100  3,386,100  3,317,200  3,097,400  3,412,000  3,446,400  3,389,100  3,297,600 
Profitability Ratio
Net profit margin1 -8.21% -6.17% 10.32% 10.46% 10.27% 10.12% 10.05% 9.74% 10.99% 10.83% 10.62% 10.90% 9.67% 9.66% 9.47% 9.35% 8.11% 7.20% 7.49% 7.40% — — —
Benchmarks
Net Profit Margin, Competitors2
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. 21.58% 21.66% 21.10% 19.73% 19.14% 18.90% 18.92% 16.77% 17.13% 13.13% 33.51% 36.65% 34.63% 36.19% 6.27% 6.63% 6.12% 5.80% 13.59% 12.91% — — —
Linde plc 8.29% 8.37% 8.35% 8.09% 17.62% 19.48% 23.54% 29.40% 11.93% 11.68% 11.27% 10.90% 14.56% 14.10% 14.26% 14.24% 14.46% 15.09% 14.12% 14.36% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

1 Q3 2020 Calculation
Net profit margin = 100 × (Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ3 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ2 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ1 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ4 2019) ÷ (Net salesQ3 2020 + Net salesQ2 2020 + Net salesQ1 2020 + Net salesQ4 2019)
= 100 × (246,200 + -2,035,000 + 283,400 + 429,600) ÷ (3,018,600 + 2,685,700 + 3,581,400 + 3,823,600) = -8.21%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Net profit margin An indicator of profitability, calculated as net income divided by revenue. Ecolab Inc.’s net profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.

Return on Equity (ROE)

Ecolab Inc., ROE calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab 246,200  (2,035,000) 283,400  429,600  464,200  368,600  296,500  395,100  435,400  351,300  247,300  565,900  392,400  296,600  253,500  366,300  374,100  258,400  230,800  208,900  257,800  302,000  233,400 
Total Ecolab shareholders’ equity 6,014,700  5,855,200  8,822,100  8,685,300  8,567,700  8,225,400  8,220,700  8,003,200  7,929,400  7,849,500  7,601,000  7,618,500  7,222,300  6,919,700  6,809,400  6,901,100  6,869,600  6,600,500  6,581,400  6,909,900  6,783,200  6,811,600  6,871,000 
Profitability Ratio
ROE1 -17.89% -14.65% 17.52% 17.95% 17.79% 18.18% 17.98% 17.86% 20.18% 19.83% 19.76% 19.80% 18.12% 18.65% 18.39% 17.82% 15.61% 14.48% 15.19% 14.50% — — —
Benchmarks
ROE, Competitors2
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. 16.32% 17.10% 16.34% 15.92% 15.02% 15.19% 15.54% 13.80% 14.43% 10.79% 27.95% 29.75% 31.08% 34.03% 7.92% 8.91% 8.26% 8.00% 17.88% 17.63% — — —
Linde plc 4.86% 5.00% 5.23% 4.66% 9.71% 8.86% 8.67% 8.49% 23.04% 23.13% 20.73% 20.72% 25.90% 26.52% 27.73% 29.87% 28.90% 30.70% 30.42% 35.25% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

1 Q3 2020 Calculation
ROE = 100 × (Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ3 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ2 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ1 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ4 2019) ÷ Total Ecolab shareholders’ equity
= 100 × (246,200 + -2,035,000 + 283,400 + 429,600) ÷ 6,014,700 = -17.89%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
ROE A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by shareholders’ equity. Ecolab Inc.’s ROE deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.

Return on Assets (ROA)

Ecolab Inc., ROA calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab 246,200  (2,035,000) 283,400  429,600  464,200  368,600  296,500  395,100  435,400  351,300  247,300  565,900  392,400  296,600  253,500  366,300  374,100  258,400  230,800  208,900  257,800  302,000  233,400 
Total assets 18,097,100  18,082,400  22,339,600  20,869,100  20,835,600  20,827,600  20,927,600  20,074,500  19,962,600  19,951,600  20,184,300  19,962,400  19,856,700  19,523,400  19,223,000  18,330,200  18,378,800  18,224,600  18,341,800  18,641,700  18,883,300  19,217,300  19,252,000 
Profitability Ratio
ROA1 -5.94% -4.74% 6.92% 7.47% 7.32% 7.18% 7.06% 7.12% 8.01% 7.80% 7.44% 7.56% 6.59% 6.61% 6.51% 6.71% 5.83% 5.25% 5.45% 5.38% — — —
Benchmarks
ROA, Competitors2
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. 7.68% 9.97% 9.61% 9.29% 8.75% 8.81% 8.83% 7.81% 7.88% 6.17% 15.68% 16.25% 16.39% 17.74% 3.56% 3.50% 3.40% 3.29% 7.63% 7.33% — — —
Linde plc 2.57% 2.65% 2.77% 2.64% 5.63% 5.14% 4.84% 4.69% 7.19% 7.03% 6.41% 6.10% 7.95% 7.71% 7.80% 7.76% 7.62% 7.97% 7.82% 8.44% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-07), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-28), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2019-03-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-04), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-24), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-04), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-05), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-08-06), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-07).

1 Q3 2020 Calculation
ROA = 100 × (Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ3 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ2 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ1 2020 + Net income (loss) attributable to EcolabQ4 2019) ÷ Total assets
= 100 × (246,200 + -2,035,000 + 283,400 + 429,600) ÷ 18,097,100 = -5.94%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
ROA A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by total assets. Ecolab Inc.’s ROA deteriorated from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020 and from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020.