Ecolab (ECL) is expected to achieve stable volume and pricing growth during 2025, keeping the cleaning supplies company on track for moderate improvement, though it may still fall slightly short of consensus expectations for the next 12 months, analysts at RBC Capital Markets said in an earnings preview.

For Q4, RBC models $3.97 billion in revenues, slightly below the consensus of $4.03 billion, mainly due to foreign currency exchange headwinds of about 1%. The analysts also estimate adjusted EPS of $1.79, slightly below the consensus of $1.80.

RBC analysts said in a Thursday note that it expects Ecolab to earn between $7.25 and $7.45 per share in fiscal 2025, excluding one-time items, which is slightly below the consensus estimate of $7.49 per share.

RBC maintained outperform rating for the company's stock but trimmed price target for Ecolab shares to $294 from $306 previously, explaining the new target reflects a multiple of 35 times their estimated 2026 earnings of $8.40 per share.

Looking farther out, the RBC analysts said Ecolab is "well positioned" to operate within a market with flat to slightly rising demand while keeping a lid on costs. They also see the company ably managing price increases and winning over new business, adding they believe its "continued focus on innovation" and other improvements "will help the company achieve long-term organic sale sales growth of 5% to 7%.

Price: 230.78, Change: -3.79, Percent Change: -1.62