5 Stocks Making Big Moves After Releasing Their Financial Results

3. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39

Shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) recently fell to a nearly 10-month low after announcing disappointing profit for the fourth quarter. The company earned $1.28 per share on an adjusted basis, below the consensus forecast of $1.31 per share.

On the bright side, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) posted revenue of $3.36 billion, up 10 percent versus last year and above analysts’ average estimate of $3.29 billion. Revenue from its industrial segment increased 8 percent, while revenue from the institutional & specialty segment jumped 18 percent in the quarter. In comparison, healthcare & life sciences revenue fell 6 percent on a year-over-year basis.

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Looking forward, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) expects its first-quarter earnings to stay flat versus last year amid higher costs related to raw material and shipping. However, the company projected healthy sales growth for the current quarter.

Discussing the results, CEO Christophe Beck said in a statement:

“While the external environment remains dynamic, we are confident in our fundamental positioning and our proven ability to leverage our opportunities to improve our long-term margins further and to continue to deliver superior long-term results for our customers and shareholders.”