Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Today's Featured Consumer Non-Durables Winner

Ecolab (ECL) pushed the Consumer Non-Durables industry higher today making it today's featured consumer non-durables winner. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.9%. By the end of trading, Ecolab rose 98 cents (1.5%) to $68.15 on average volume. Throughout the day, 1.4 million shares of Ecolab exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.5 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $67.14-$68.43 after having opened the day at $67.14 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $67.17. Other companies within the Consumer Non-Durables industry that increased today were: Forward Industries (FORD), up 6.8%, Tufco Technologies (TFCO), up 5.8%, Blyth (BTH), up 4.2%, and Domtar (UFS), up 3.4%.

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Ecolab Inc. develops and markets programs, products, and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare, industrial, and energy markets. Ecolab has a market cap of $19.28 billion and is part of the consumer goods sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 39.3, 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 16.2% 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, solid stock price performance and expanding profit margins. 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, Cereplast (CERP), down 16.9%, China Shengda Packaging Group (CPGI), down 13%, Zuoan Fashion (ZA), down 5.6%, and MOD-PAC Corporation (MPAC), down 5.6%, were all laggards within the consumer non-durables industry with Nike (NKE) being today's consumer non-durables industry laggard.

• Use our consumer non-durables section to find industry-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 non-durables industry could consider Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) while those bearish on the consumer non-durables industry 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