Ecolab reported a 2% increase in sales and an 8% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q4 2019. The company's performance was driven by pricing, lower product costs, and cost efficiency actions, which offset investments and a Healthcare product recall. The company expects another strong earnings year in 2020, despite a challenging environment.
Reported diluted EPS increased by 9% to $1.47.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew by 8% to $1.66, excluding special gains, charges, and discrete tax items.
Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased by 1%, with growth in Industrial, Institutional, and Other segments offset by a 3% decline in Energy.
Adjusted fixed currency operating margin expanded by 60 bps, driven by double-digit income growth in Industrial and Energy segments.
Ecolab expects full year 2020 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $6.33 to $6.53 range, rising 9% to 12% over 2019. This forecast includes an estimated unfavorable $0.05 per share impact from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak in the first quarter.
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income
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