Ecolab's Third Quarter Earnings Rise 13 Percent

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ecolab said its third-quarter profit rose 13 percent on higher U.S. sales and demand for pest control services.

Net income rose to $110.4 million, or 43 cents a share, from $98 million, or 38 cents, a year earlier, St. Paul-based Ecolab said Friday. Profit matched the average estimate of 15 analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call. Sales gained 9.8 percent to $1.28 billion.

Profit in the U.S. cleaning and sanitizing business, Ecolab's largest unit, climbed 15 percent to $99 million. Profit from other U.S. services rose 12 percent, led by the extermination business, the company said. Ecolab's rival, JohnsonDiversey Inc., stopped providing full-service dishwashing and laundry services to U.S. hospitality and health customers in March.

Ecolab "continued to make further competitive gains as we demonstrated the strength and value of our premium-service offering," CEO Douglas Baker said in a prepared statement. "Our outlook remains excellent."

Shares of Ecolab rose 8 cents to $44.98. They have gained 40 percent in the past year.