Ecolab Leans on Strong Industrial Margins in the Second Quarter
When it comes to start-ups, the ones that raise the most venture capital tend to get all of the media coverage, but real success in business is measured in operating profits. Individual investors have seen the same measuring stick applied to high-growth businesses, which can often be accompanied by volatile stock prices when profits fail to materialize. Real success requires more than a flashy slide deck or keynote speeches at investor conferences; it's often quiet. Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) understands that.
The water and hygiene conglomerate delivered another solid quarter of operations and wrapped up the first half of the year on pace to meet its full-year 2019 guidance. In the first six months of the year, the business grew revenue just 1%, but it managed to keep expenses in check and benefit from lower taxes and interest payments, increasing net income 11% during that time.
Investors have been happy to reward Ecolab's head-down, slow-and-steady progress: Shares have gained almost 40% since the beginning of 2019. Here's what you need to know about the company's latest operating results.
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