Ecolab raises dividend for 25th consecutive year

Ecolab Inc. (ECL) will increase its dividend by 5.7%.

Dividend Aristocrat Ecolab will raise its quarterly dividend to $0.37 per share.

The dividend will be paid Jan. 17, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 20, 2016. This increase results in a new indicated annual cash dividend of $1.48 per share in 2017 and represents Ecolab’s 25th consecutive annual dividend rate increase.

Ecolab has paid cash dividends on its common stock for 80 consecutive years.

Commenting on the increase, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab’s chairman and chief executive officer said, “This cash dividend increase reflects our longstanding commitment to use our strong cash flow to steadily invest in the key drivers for future business growth and enhance shareholder returns.”

Today’s dividend increase indicates an annualized rate of $1.48 per common share and a yield of approximately 1.2% based on the $119.61 closing price on December 8, 2016.

Ecolab Inc. provides water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. The company delivers solutions and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets.