Basic Materials ETF Surges 26.8% in Three Months vs Ecolab’s 12.1% Rally
Ecolab, with a $86.9 billion market cap, rose 12.1% over the past three months, underperforming the iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF’s 26.8% gain. Its 15.4% 52-week increase trails the ETF’s 37.6% surge, though Q4 revenue hit $4.2 billion (+4.8% y/y) with $2.08 EPS (+14.9%).
1. Performance vs Basic Materials ETF
Ecolab’s shares have climbed 12.1% over the last three months, markedly lagging the iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF’s 26.8% advance. On a year-to-date basis, Ecolab is up 17.5% versus the ETF’s 22.5%, and its 15.4% 52-week gain trails the ETF’s 37.6% surge.
2. Q4 Results and Technical Trends
In Q4, Ecolab reported revenue of $4.2 billion, a 4.8% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EPS of $2.08, up 14.9%. The stock has traded above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early January, confirming its bullish technical setup.
3. Analyst Ratings and Peer Comparison
Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus with a mean price target of $323.52, implying a 4.9% upside. Peer DuPont outperformed, rising 47.8% over 52 weeks and 24.5% year-to-date, highlighting Ecolab’s relative underperformance within the specialty chemicals sector.