Ecolab

ECL

Market cap $77.7B

For many income-oriented investors, buying dividend stocks means looking for utilities names and real estate investment trusts (REITs). These companies typically offer consistent payouts for regular income, and some of the highest yields

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life, has earned a top spot on CDP's respected annual A List for its continued leadership in corporate transparency and performance on water and climate. This marks the seventh consecutive year of being recognized by CDP for water leadership and the fifth consecutive year for climate leadership. CDP,.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab will host a live webcast to discuss its 2025 fourth quarter results. A news release containing fourth quarter results is expected to be issued before market open on February 10, 2026. Details for the public webcast are as follows: TIME:   1:00 p.m. Eastern Time DATE:   Tuesday, February 10, 2026 DURATION:   One hour LOCATION:   www.ecolab.com/investor ARCHIVE:   A replay of the webcast and supplemental data will be available on Ecolab's website. About Ec.

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL) underperformed SPY in 2025, gaining 7.2% versus SPY's 18.42%. Despite average underperformance, select Aristocrats like CAH (+74.18%), ALB (+66.90%), and CHRW (+61.22%) delivered strong double-digit returns. Dividend growth for the Aristocrats slowed to 5.52% in 2025, down from 5.78% in 2024, with 68 of 69 raising payouts.

Ecolab is transitioning from a defensive hygiene leader to a high-growth compounder, driven by AI infrastructure and data center water solutions. ECL's Global High-Tech segment posted 25% sales growth, supported by the Ovivo acquisition and rising demand for ultra-pure water in semiconductors and data centers. Operating margins reached 18.7%, with management targeting 20% by 2027, underpinned by high-margin digital and pest elimination services.

Chevron (CVX) is expected to extend its dividend growth streak to 39 years, but with a muted 3–4% increase amid lower oil prices. CVX's earnings remain under pressure from declining oil prices despite cost-saving initiatives and the Hess acquisition, leading to subdued dividend growth. Dividend increases in January will generally be modest, with select companies like Fastenal, S&P Global, and Cincinnati Financial likely to deliver higher single-digit boosts.

Ecolab closes Ovivo Electronics acquisition, expanding high-tech water solutions for semiconductors and boosting circular water offerings.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc. has closed on its previously announced acquisition of Ovivo's electronics ultrapure water business.

Editor's note: Columnist Charlie Garcia shares select emails and online comments from his virtual mailbag each week.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The board of directors of Ecolab Inc. today declared a 12% increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend to $0.73 per common share, to be paid January 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2025. This increase results in a new indicated annual cash dividend of $2.92 per share in 2026 and represents Ecolab's 34th consecutive annual dividend rate increase. Ecolab has paid cash dividends on its common stock for 89 consecut.