19th
consecutive annual dividend rate increase
Ecolab has paid dividends for 74 consecutive years
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. today increased the company's
quarterly cash dividend by 13% to $0.175 per common share, to be paid
January 18, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on
December 21, 2010. This results in a new indicated annual cash dividend
of a record $0.70 per share for 2011, and represents Ecolab's 19th
consecutive annual dividend rate increase. Ecolab has paid cash
dividends on its common stock for 74 consecutive years. Ecolab last
increased its dividend in December 2009.
Commenting on the increase, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab's Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased to continue
our strong dividend performance. Our outstanding dividend record is a
result of our excellent business model, and this year's increase
reflects our solid balance sheet, our outlook for further growth and our
commitment to improving shareholder returns."
With sales of $6 billion and more than 26,000 associates, Ecolab (NYSE:
ECL) is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and
infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers
comprehensive programs and services to the foodservice, food and
beverage processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than
160 countries. More news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.
This news release contains various "Forward-Looking Statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These include statements concerning the indicated annual cash dividend
for 2011 and our outlook for further growth. These statements, which
represent Ecolab's expectations or beliefs concerning various future
events, are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those of such Forward-Looking Statements. We caution that undue
reliance should not be placed on Forward-Looking Statements, which speak
only as of the date made.
Risks and uncertainties that may affect operating results and business
performance are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K and
include the vitality of the markets we serve; the impact of worldwide
economic factors such as the worldwide economy, credit markets, interest
rates and foreign currency risk; fluctuations in raw material and
delivered product costs; our ability to develop competitive advantages
through innovation; restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual
obligations; pressure on operations from consolidation of customers,
vendors or competitors; the ability to acquire complementary businesses
and to effectively integrate such businesses; the impact of investments
to develop business systems or to optimize our business structure; the
costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations relating to the
environment and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use
of our products; changes in laws, regulations or accounting standards;
public health epidemics; the occurrence of litigation or claims, acts of
war, terrorism, severe weather or natural or man-made disasters; the
loss or insolvency of a major customer, supplier or distributor; our
ability to attract and retain high caliber management talent; and other
uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(ECL-D)
Ecolab Inc.
Michael J. Monahan, 651-293-2809
Source: Ecolab Inc.
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