Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) shares are down on Friday as the company announced its plan to acquire CoolIT Systems, a leader in advanced liquid-cooling technologies for AI data centers.
This news comes amid a challenging market environment, with major indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experiencing declines.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ecolab will pay approximately $4.75 billion in cash for CoolIT, which is expected to generate around $550 million in sales over the next 12 months.
As of December 2025, the company had cash and equivalents worth $646.2 million and long-term debt of $7.365 billion.
This acquisition aims to enhance Ecolab’s Cooling-as-a-Service offering, helping AI data centers improve performance and reduce water usage.
The acquisition is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Ecolab expects its first quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.69 to $1.71, reflecting a 13% to 14% increase compared to the previous year.
The broader market is experiencing downward pressure, with the S&P 500 down 1.04% and the Nasdaq falling 1.06%. Ecolab’s decline aligns with this …
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