Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2019 results on Jul 30, before market opens. The company’s core Global Industrial unit is expected to have contributed significantly in the quarter.
Ecolab delivered an earnings surprise of 1% in the last reported quarter, the average of the trailing four quarters being a negative 0.1%.
Which Way Are Q2 Estimates Treading?
For the to-be-reported quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.78 billion, suggesting an improvement of 2.3% from a year ago. The same for earnings is at $1.41, indicating an increase of 11% from a year ago.
Let’s delve deeper.
Global Industrial Likely to Drive Q2
The Global Industrial segment has likely gained from the Water, Food & Beverage and Life Sciences sub-units. Not to forget, the segment accounted for 36.5% of net sales in the last reported quarter.
It is encouraging to note that a slew of recent developments is expected to boost the Global Industrial arm.
For instance, in recent past, the company unveiled a free online tool to help businesses globally in the process of improving water management. Such an enhancement is likely to reflect in the segment’s to-be-reported-quarter performance.
Also, the company launched a Life Sciences cleanroom program in North America, specially developed for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The program provides comprehensive cleaning and disinfection for both sterile and non-sterile applications.
Additionally, Ecolab’s subsidiary, Nalco Water, recently unveiled LegionGuard LG25, which is designed to lower the waterborne pathogen Legionella pneumophila in drinking water systems. (Read More: Ecolab's Nalco Water to Boost Public Health With New Offering)
Reflective of these, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.4 billion, suggesting a year-over-year increase of 3.8%.
Other Factors at Work
The company’s Global Energy and Global Institutional units are expected to see a solid quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Global Energy’s second-quarter revenues stands at $880 million, calling for a 3% year-over-year increase. The same for Global Institutional is pinned at $1.34 billion, indicating a rise of 2% from the year-ago quarter.
Ecolab’s industry-leading technologies along with excellent field service to support long-term growth for the company are expected to boost the aforementioned units. Strong international presence is another positive.
Resultantly, Ecolab expects second-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) within $1.36 to $1.46, indicating a rise of 7-15% year over year. The company also projects gross margin at 42%.
However, volatile currency exchange rates are expected to have adversely impacted Ecolab in the second quarter. In fact, second-quarter adjusted EPS is likely to be impacted by 5 cents. Additionally, competition in the chemical specialty market is stiff.
What Our Quantitative Model Suggests
Our proven model clearly indicates that a stock needs to have both — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) — to deliver a positive earnings surprise. However, that is not the case here.
Earnings ESP: Ecolab has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Ecolab carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Please note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Stocks Worth a Look
Here are a few medical stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) has an Earnings ESP of +0.92% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
DENTSPLY SIRONA (NASDAQ:XRAY) has an Earnings ESP of +6.95% and a Zacks Rank #1.
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHC) has an Earnings ESP of +4.30% and a Zacks Rank #2.
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Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC): Free Stock Analysis Report
DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (XRAY): Free Stock Analysis Report
AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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