Ecolab Inc. (ECL) FCF Payout Ratio: 41.81%
Is Ecolab Inc.’s FCF payout ratio high or low?
Ecolab Inc.'s FCF payout ratio of 41.81% is in line with its 5-year average of 41.78%, near the low end of its 5-year range (36.51%–56.04%).
9.90% above its 12-month average of 38.04%.
ECL FCF Payout Ratio Chart
ECL Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart
ECL Current vs Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart
ECL FCF Payout Ratio Metrics
FCF PAYOUT RATIO
41.81%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG TTM
38.04%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 3Y
42.46%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 5Y
41.78%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 10Y
38.61%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 15Y
37.97%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 20Y
36.37%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
+9.90%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-1.53%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
+0.08%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
+8.28%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
+10.11%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
+14.95%
Payout Ratio Comparison
FCF Payout Ratio
41.8%
Earnings Payout Ratio
37.6%
Dividend Yield
1.07%
FCF Yield
2.57%
Annual FCF Payout Ratio History
| Year | Free Cash Flow | Dividends Paid | FCF Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.90B | $753.60M | 39.6% |
| 2024 | $1.82B | $664.30M | 36.5% |
| 2023 | $1.64B | $617.30M | 37.7% |
| 2022 | $1.08B | $602.80M | 56.0% |
| 2021 | $1.42B | $566.40M | 39.9% |
| 2020 | $1.37B | $560.80M | 40.9% |
| 2019 | $1.69B | $552.90M | 32.7% |
| 2018 | $1.43B | $496.50M | 34.7% |
| 2017 | $1.22B | $448.70M | 36.7% |
| 2016 | $1.18B | $427.50M | 36.1% |
| 2015 | $1.18B | $400.70M | 33.8% |
| 2014 | $1.02B | $344.40M | 33.7% |
| 2013 | $897.50M | $218.10M | 24.3% |
| 2012 | $595.50M | $306.80M | 51.5% |
| 2011 | $319.50M | $162.90M | 51.0% |
| 2010 | $652.70M | $145.50M | 22.3% |
| 2009 | $397.70M | $132.70M | 33.4% |
| 2008 | $358.70M | $128.50M | 35.8% |
| 2007 | $436.10M | $114.00M | 26.1% |
| 2006 | $306.63M | $101.17M | 33.0% |
| 2005 | $321.35M | $89.81M | 27.9% |
| 2004 | $306.59M | $82.42M | 26.9% |
| 2003 | $317.16M | $75.41M | 23.8% |
| 2002 | $210.57M | $69.58M | 33.0% |
| 2001 | $206.54M | $66.46M | 32.2% |
| 2000 | $165.48M | $61.64M | 37.3% |
| 1999 | $101.90M | $54.30M | 53.3% |
| 1998 | $47.80M | $49.00M | 102.5% |
| 1997 | $113.40M | $41.50M | 36.6% |
| 1996 | $142.80M | $36.10M | 25.3% |
Formula: FCF Payout Ratio = Dividends Paid / Free Cash Flow × 100
FCF payout and earnings payout:
- FCF represents operating cash flow after capital expenditures
- FCF payout compares dividends paid with free cash flow
- FCF payout above 100% means dividends paid exceeded free cash flow for the period
- Earnings payout compares dividends paid with net income
Reading the series: Use the chart and table to compare dividend payments with cash generation over time.
Ecolab Inc. FCF Payout Ratio Formula & Definition
FCF Payout Ratio measures what percentage of free cash flow is paid out as dividends. Unlike earnings-based payout, it compares dividends with cash generated after capital expenditures.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Ecolab Inc. FCF Payout Ratio FAQ
- What is the FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 41.81%.
- Is Ecolab Inc.'s FCF payout ratio high or low?
- Ecolab Inc.'s FCF payout ratio of 41.81% is in line with its 5-year average of 41.78%, near the low end of its 5-year range (36.51%–56.04%).
- What is the TTM average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The TTM average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 38.04%.
- What is the 3Y average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The 3Y average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 42.46%.
- What is the 5Y average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The 5Y average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 41.78%.
- What is the 10Y average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The 10Y average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 38.61%.
- What is the 15Y average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The 15Y average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 37.97%.
- What is the 20Y average FCF payout ratio for Ecolab Inc. (ECL)?
- The 20Y average FCF payout ratio for ECL stock is 36.37%.
Ecolab Inc. FCF Payout Ratio History
| DATE | FCF PAYOUT RATIO |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 39.57% |
| 2024-12-31 | 36.51% |
| 2023-12-31 | 37.71% |
| 2022-12-31 | 56.04% |
| 2021-12-31 | 39.92% |
| 2020-12-31 | 40.90% |
| 2019-12-31 | 32.73% |
| 2018-12-31 | 34.71% |
| 2017-12-31 | 36.70% |
| 2016-12-31 | 36.14% |
| 2015-12-31 | 33.83% |
| 2014-12-31 | 33.71% |
| 2013-12-31 | 24.30% |
| 2012-12-31 | 51.52% |
| 2011-12-31 | 50.99% |
| 2010-12-31 | 22.29% |
| 2009-12-31 | 33.37% |
| 2008-12-31 | 35.82% |
| 2007-12-31 | 26.14% |
| 2006-12-31 | 33.00% |
| 2005-12-31 | 27.95% |
| 2004-12-31 | 26.88% |
| 2003-12-31 | 23.78% |
| 2002-12-31 | 33.05% |
| 2001-12-31 | 32.18% |
| 2000-12-31 | 37.25% |
| 1999-12-31 | 53.29% |
| 1998-12-31 | 102.51% |
| 1997-12-31 | 36.60% |
| 1996-12-31 | 25.28% |
About Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab Inc. delivers essential water, hygiene, and infection prevention products and services to clients across the United States and globally. The company organizes its operations into several key segments: Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Healthcare & Life Sciences, and an "Other" segment. Through its Global Industrial division, Ecolab furnishes a range of water treatment, process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions. These offerings cater to a diverse array of sectors including manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical production, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundries, and the petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries. The Global Institutional & Specialty segment focuses on delivering specialized cleaning and sanitizing products primarily to the foodservice, hospitality, lodging, government and education, and retail sectors. Ecolab's Global Healthcare & Life Sciences segment addresses the needs of the healthcare, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. It supplies specialized cleaning and sanitizing products, encompassing infection prevention, surgical solutions, and comprehensive cleaning and contamination control, marketed under brand names like Ecolab, Microtek, and Anios. Within the "Other" segment, Ecolab provides pest elimination services. These services aim to detect, eliminate, and prevent pests, including rodents and insects, for various clients such as restaurants, food and beverage processors, educational and healthcare institutions, hotels, quick service restaurants, grocery stores, and other commercial and institutional entities. This segment additionally furnishes colloidal silica, used for binding and polishing applications in the semiconductor, catalyst, aerospace component manufacturing, and chemical sectors. Furthermore, it delivers products and services for comprehensive wash process management, featuring custom-designed programs, premium products, dispensing equipment, water and energy conservation, and real-time data management. Ecolab distributes its offerings via its field sales and corporate account teams, as well as through a network of distributors and dealers. Established in 1923, the company maintains its headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- Sector
- Basic Materials
- Industry
- Chemicals - Specialty
- CEO
- Christophe Beck