Ecolab's first quarter earnings were consistent with expectations, with sales growth driven by volume gains and pricing that overcame surging delivered product cost inflation. Sales growth accelerated from the fourth quarter, led by double-digit gains in Institutional & Specialty, Industrial and Other segments. Raw material and freight costs increased an estimated 25% versus last year, exacerbated by the start of the war in Eastern Europe.
Very strong first quarter sales growth, driven by strong volume gains and accelerating pricing.
Reported sales increased 13% versus last year.
Reported diluted EPS was $0.60, a decrease of 10% versus last year.
Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.82, an increase of 1% versus last year.
The company expects combined pricing actions, along with strong volume growth and long-term productivity improvements, to yield second quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share approaching last year’s $1.22. They believe current pricing actions will result in accelerating earnings growth through the second half and deliver low-teens growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year 2022.
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income