Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Today's Featured Consumer Goods Winner

Ecolab (ECL) pushed the Consumer Goods sector higher today making it today's featured consumer goods winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 1.5%. By the end of trading, Ecolab rose $1.48 (2.4%) to $64.36 on average volume. Throughout the day, 1.3 million shares of Ecolab exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.6 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $62.86-$64.49 after having opened the day at $62.89 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $62.88. Other companies within the Consumer Goods sector that increased today were: Elecsys Corporation (ESYS), up 12.6%, Westport Innovations (WPRT), up 11.9%, Joe's Jeans (JOEZ), up 11.5%, and Coffee Holding Company (JVA), up 11.3%.

Ecolab Inc. develops and markets programs, products, and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare, industrial, and energy markets. Ecolab has a market cap of $18.33 billion and is part of the consumer non-durables industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 37.3, equal to the average consumer non-durables industry P/E ratio and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 8.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate Ecolab a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and four rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Ecolab as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• You can view the full Ecolab Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Enova Systems (ENA), down 18.3%, Feihe International (ADY), down 17.8%, Spartech Corporation (SEH), down 10.4%, and Tianli Agritech (OINK), down 9%, were all losers within the consumer goods sector with Campbell Soup (CPB) being today's consumer goods sector loser.

• Use our consumer goods section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the consumer goods sector could consider iShares Dow Jones US Cons Goods (IYK) while those bearish on the consumer goods sector could consider ProShares Ultra Sht Consumer Goods (SZK).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

 

For more information on Ecolab Inc. click any of the following:

• Ecolab Inc. Stock Price

• Ecolab Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Ecolab Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Ecolab Inc. Earnings

• Ecolab Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Ecolab Inc. Growth Rates

• Ecolab Inc. Balance Sheet

• Ecolab Inc. Cash Flow

• Ecolab Inc. Income Statement