15 Low Profile Dividend Champions to Buy

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1. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 59

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) is an American company that specializes in water treatment and cleaning solutions. Known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, the company helps clients reduce their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency. Its product offerings cover areas such as water and energy management, infection control, and other solutions focused on boosting efficiency.

For the fourth quarter of 2024, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) reported $4 billion in revenue, reflecting a nearly 2% year-over-year growth. Organic sales rose by 4%, driven by stronger growth in its Industrial and Healthcare & Life Sciences segments, as well as continued solid performance in Pest Elimination and Institutional & Specialty divisions. Regionally, the U.S. led with strong organic sales growth, while international markets also posted positive results, with new business gains helping to offset the impact of varying macroeconomic conditions. The company’s operating income margin stood at 14.6%.

In FY24, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) showcased a robust cash position, with operating cash flow reaching $2.8 billion and free cash flow totaling $1.8 billion. This strong cash flow enabled the company to increase its dividends for 33 consecutive years, making it one of the top dividend stocks favored by billionaires. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.09%, as recorded on April 17.

Overall, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) ranks first on our list of low profile Dividend Champions to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of ECL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued dividend stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued dividend stock that is more promising than ECL but that trades at 10 times its earnings and grows its earnings at double digit rates annually, check out our report about the dirt cheap dividend stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

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