Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since February 25, 2022.

Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA)

Microsoft Excel

Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)

Ecolab Inc., EBITDA calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab 1,129,900 (1,205,100) 1,558,900 1,429,100 1,508,400
Add: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 14,100 17,400 17,300 11,200 14,000
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax — (2,172,500) — — —
Add: Income tax expense 270,200 176,600 322,700 364,300 242,400
Earnings before tax (EBT) 1,414,200 1,161,400 1,898,900 1,804,600 1,764,800
Add: Interest expense 230,600 304,800 215,300 237,200 274,600
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 1,644,800 1,466,200 2,114,200 2,041,800 2,039,400
Add: Depreciation 604,400 594,300 654,100 621,300 585,700
Add: Amortization 238,700 218,400 319,200 317,000 307,600
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 2,487,900 2,278,900 3,087,500 2,980,100 2,932,700

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).


A multi-year analysis of operational performance reveals a period of steady growth from 2017 through 2019, followed by a significant contraction in 2020 and a subsequent partial recovery in 2021. The most pronounced volatility is observed in net income, while operational proxies such as EBITDA demonstrate greater resilience despite the 2020 downturn.

EBITDA Trend and Operational Capacity
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization exhibited a consistent upward trajectory between 2017 and 2019, peaking at US$ 3,087,500 thousand. A sharp decline occurred in 2020, with EBITDA falling to US$ 2,278,900 thousand, representing a decrease of approximately 26% from the previous year. By 2021, a recovery phase began, with the figure rising to US$ 2,487,900 thousand, although this remained below the 2019 peak.
Comparative Analysis of Profitability Metrics
The divergence between EBITDA and Net Income is most evident in 2020. While EBITDA remained positive at US$ 2,278,900 thousand, Net Income fell into a deficit of US$ 1,205,100 thousand. This indicates that while core operational cash flow remained positive, non-operational expenses, taxes, or interest obligations heavily impacted the bottom line during that fiscal year.
EBIT and EBT Performance
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) mirrored the EBITDA trend, growing steadily to a peak of US$ 2,114,200 thousand in 2019 before dropping to US$ 1,466,200 thousand in 2020. Earnings before tax (EBT) followed a similar pattern, reflecting a consistent correlation between operating profit and pre-tax earnings across the five-year period.
Recovery Trajectory
The transition from 2020 to 2021 shows a synchronized recovery across all metrics. EBITDA increased by approximately 9% year-over-year, and EBIT rose from US$ 1,466,200 thousand to US$ 1,644,800 thousand. Net income returned to positive territory at US$ 1,129,900 thousand, signaling a stabilization of profitability, although figures across all categories remained lower than their 2019 levels.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?


Enterprise Value to EBITDA Ratio, Current

Ecolab Inc., current EV/EBITDA calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Enterprise value (EV) 60,128,502
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 2,487,900
Valuation Ratio
EV/EBITDA 24.17
Benchmarks
EV/EBITDA, Competitors1
Linde plc 18.80
Sherwin-Williams Co. 19.83
EV/EBITDA, Sector
Chemicals 24.85
EV/EBITDA, Industry
Materials 18.85

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Click competitor name to see calculations.

If the company EV/EBITDA is lower then the EV/EBITDA of benchmark then company is relatively undervalued.
Otherwise, if the company EV/EBITDA is higher then the EV/EBITDA of benchmark then company is relatively overvalued.


Enterprise Value to EBITDA Ratio, Historical

Ecolab Inc., historical EV/EBITDA calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Enterprise value (EV)1 60,128,501 65,306,947 58,207,834 55,962,006 44,975,738
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)2 2,487,900 2,278,900 3,087,500 2,980,100 2,932,700
Valuation Ratio
EV/EBITDA3 24.17 28.66 18.85 18.78 15.34
Benchmarks
EV/EBITDA, Competitors4
Linde plc 16.23 — — — —
Sherwin-Williams Co. 25.04 — — — —
EV/EBITDA, Sector
Chemicals 18.35 — — — —
EV/EBITDA, Industry
Materials 13.46 — — — —

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).

1 See details »

2 See details »

3 2021 Calculation
EV/EBITDA = EV ÷ EBITDA
= 60,128,501 ÷ 2,487,900 = 24.17

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio demonstrates a significant expansionary trend over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021, characterized by a sharp peak in 2020 followed by a partial correction in 2021.

Enterprise Value Trends
Enterprise value grew consistently from US$ 44,975,738 thousand in 2017 to a peak of US$ 65,306,947 thousand in 2020. This period of growth represents a substantial increase in the total market valuation of the entity. A subsequent contraction occurred in 2021, with the value declining to US$ 60,128,501 thousand.
EBITDA Performance
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization remained relatively stable and grew modestly between 2017 and 2019, reaching a high of US$ 3,087,500 thousand. A significant decline was observed in 2020, where EBITDA dropped to US$ 2,278,900 thousand, followed by a partial recovery to US$ 2,487,900 thousand in 2021.
EV/EBITDA Multiple Analysis
The valuation multiple rose from 15.34 in 2017 to 18.85 by 2019. A sharp increase to 28.66 occurred in 2020, driven by the inverse movement of a rising enterprise value and a declining EBITDA. In 2021, the ratio moderated to 24.17, reflecting the combined effect of a decreased enterprise value and a recovery in operational earnings.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?