WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Ecolab Inc. (ECL), a provider of water,
hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, are rising more than 6
percent Tuesday morning after the company reported upbeat fourth-quarter
results, above analysts' view. The company's first-quarter earnings outlook also
came in better than the Street estimates.

Profit for the fourth quarter significantly increased to $405.2 million, or
$1.41 per share from $264.4 million, or $0.93 per share a year ago, primarily
helped by growth in revenue.

Excluding items, Ecolab reported earnings of $444.7 million or $1.55 per share,
that beat the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson-Reuters of $1.54
per share.

Revenue for the quarter rose 7.4 percent to $3.94 billion from $3.67 billion
last year. The consensus estimate was for $3.93 billion.

For the first quarter, the company expects adjusted earnings in a range of $1.27
to $1.37 per share. This compares with the analysts' view of $1.12 per share.

For the full year, earnings are expected in a range of $6.10 to $6.50 per share.
The Street view stands at $6.14 per share.

ECL, currently at $217.70, touched a new high of $218.48 this morning.



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