COMPILED BY GEMINI 3.1

Ecolab (ECL) Intrinsic Value

An independent two-stage DCF analysis by a frontier AI model.

Fair Value Estimate

$16.10 per share
Current Price $261.84
Margin of Safety -93.9%
OVERVALUED

My Assumptions & Rationale

FCF Growth Rate (Y1-Y5)
8.0%

"> Ecolab benefits from a razor-and-blades model where its installed base of dispensers generates predictable, recurring chemical sales. The company has demonstrated consistent pricing power and steady volume growth. We assume an 8% FCF growth rate, which aligns with long-term historical averages and expected margin expansion.

Discount Rate (WACC)
9.0%

"> Ecolab benefits from a razor-and-blades model where its installed base of dispensers generates predictable, recurring chemical sales. The company has demonstrated consistent pricing power and steady volume growth. We assume an 8% FCF growth rate, which aligns with long-term historical averages and expected margin expansion.

Terminal Growth Rate
9.0%

"> Ecolab benefits from a razor-and-blades model where its installed base of dispensers generates predictable, recurring chemical sales. The company has demonstrated consistent pricing power and steady volume growth. We assume an 8% FCF growth rate, which aligns with long-term historical averages and expected margin expansion.

Sensitivity Analysis

Intrinsic value per share under varying discount rate and terminal growth rate assumptions.

WACC ↓ / Terminal → 8.0%8.5%9.0%9.5%10.0%
8.0% $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10
8.5% $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10
9.0% $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10
9.5% $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10
10.0% $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10 $16.10

Undervalued vs current price Overvalued vs current price

Economic Prospect Score

80 / 100
Strong Prospect

Ecolab commands a wide economic moat rooted in robust switching costs and an incredibly resilient, recurring revenue model. Serving as a crucial partner for sanitation and water management across industrial and institutional sectors, ECL operates in spaces where failure is unacceptable. Despite macroeconomic volatility, Ecolab's pricing power and expanding technological solutions (like its water management offerings) solidify a bright, durable outlook.

Competitive Momentum 26/35

Ecolab demonstrates steady competitive momentum. While top-line growth isn't explosive, its pricing power allows it to offset inflation, and it steadily consolidates market share in highly fragmented end markets.

Moat Durability 31/35

Ecolab's economic moat is incredibly durable. Its "razor and blade" model—pairing proprietary dispensing equipment with recurring chemical sales—creates exceptional switching costs.

Sentiment & Catalysts 23/30

Sentiment around Ecolab is generally stable, reflecting its status as a defensive, high-quality compounder. Recent news of potential data center cooling acquisitions adds a layer of growth optimism.

⚠️ Key Risks

🚀 Key Catalysts

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the intrinsic value often lag the current market price?

Westmount Research. "Ecolab (ECL) Intrinsic Value: A DCF Analysis." westmountfundamentals.com, March 19, 2026.

Disclaimer: The numbers presented on this page are for educational and entertainment purposes only. They are the result of a deterministic mathematical model fed with assumptions generated by an Artificial Intelligence (Gemini 3.1). This does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before investing in the stock market.