ST. PAUL, Minn. - Ecolab said it expects its fourth-quarter profits to rise on higher sales and a foreign exchange benefit. The company predicts fourth-quarter profit between 39 cents and 40 cents per share, excluding special charges and gains. The company earned 34 cents per share during the same period a year prior.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect profit of 40 cents per share in the fourth quarter.
Ecolab also raised the low end of its full-year profit guidance. The company now expects profit between $1.65 and $1.66 per share excluding charges, compared with previous guidance of $1.64 to $1.66 per share. That estimate also excludes charges.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect full-year profit of $1.66 per share. Shares of St. Paul, Minn.-based Ecolab closed at $45.65 Friday.