Importance of Ultrapure Water: Advanced chip-fabrication plants, known as fabs, rely heavily on ultrapure water, which is controlled by a few Japanese and U.S. companies.
Global Investment in Semiconductors: Countries including the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, the E.U., South Korea, China, and India are investing hundreds of billions into semiconductor manufacturing to achieve "semiconductor independence."
Political Enthusiasm for Chip Plants: The push for semiconductor production is often accompanied by political support, with leaders participating in symbolic events like ribbon-cuttings to showcase progress.
Perception vs. Reality: While the investments and developments in chip plants appear promising on the surface, the underlying complexities and challenges of the semiconductor industry are often overlooked.
Wall Street analysts forecast ECL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ECL is 294.64 USD with a low forecast of 248.00 USD and a high forecast of 315.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
17 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast ECL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ECL is 294.64 USD with a low forecast of 248.00 USD and a high forecast of 315.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
12 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 281.480
Low
248.00
Averages
294.64
High
315.00
Current: 281.480
Low
248.00
Averages
294.64
High
315.00
Citi
Buy
maintain
$315 -> $324
2026-01-21
New
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$315 -> $324
AI Analysis
2026-01-21
New
maintain
Buy
Reason
Citi raised the firm's price target on Ecolab to $324 from $315 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the specialty chemicals group as part of a Q4 preview. Citi sees a better currency and sales environment for the sector, but with the potential for "fresh tariff risks."
BofA
Buy
maintain
$312 -> $314
2026-01-08
Reason
BofA
Price Target
$312 -> $314
2026-01-08
maintain
Buy
Reason
BofA raised the firm's price target on Ecolab to $314 from $312 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm is updating its price targets for Chemicals under its coverage, the analyst tells investors. Commodities face another year of growing oversupply, specialties continue to manage an inconsistent backdrop, and agriculture presents a more mixed setup, the firm adds. BofA highlights that there are areas for optimism, with several possible catalysts for the stocks including PMI indicators shifting positive, rate cuts, and potential capacity rationalization in China. The firm cautions, however, that these catalysts are too new to rely on.
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UBS
Neutral
maintain
$291 -> $295
2026-01-07
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$291 -> $295
2026-01-07
maintain
Neutral
Reason
UBS raised the firm's price target on Ecolab to $295 from $291 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares.
Citi
Patrick Cunningham
Buy
downgrade
$323 -> $315
2025-12-18
Reason
Citi
Patrick Cunningham
Price Target
$323 -> $315
2025-12-18
downgrade
Buy
Reason
Citi analyst Patrick Cunningham lowered the firm's price target on Ecolab to $315 from $323 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm updated estimates and targets in the chemicals group as part of its 2026 outlook. Citi is more negative on polyethylene producers and more positive on lithium fundamentals heading into next year.
About ECL
Ecolab Inc. is engaged in offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. The Company’s Global Industrial segment provides water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions primarily to large industrial customers within the manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, primary metals and mining, power generation, global refining, petrochemical, pulp and paper industries. Its Global Institutional & Specialty segment provides specialized cleaning and sanitizing products to the foodservice, hospitality, lodging, government and education and retail industries. Its Global Healthcare & Life Sciences segment provides specialized cleaning and sanitizing products to the healthcare, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. Its Global Pest Elimination segment provides services designed to detect, prevent, and eliminate pests, such as rodents and insects.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
