10-KPeriod: FY2003

ECOLAB INC. Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2003

Filed March 5, 2004For Securities:ECL

Summary

Ecolab Inc. (ECL) filed its 2003 annual report on March 4, 2004, detailing its performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The company operates as a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, serving a wide range of industries including food service, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial sectors. The filing indicates that Ecolab is an accelerated filer, suggesting a stable financial reporting history. Investors should note the company's primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange, indicating a certain level of market liquidity and investor scrutiny. The report covers the company's business operations, financial information by segment and geographic area, and provides management's discussion on the financial condition and results of operations. Key financial data and management analysis are incorporated by reference from the company's Annual Report to Stockholders. Investors can look to the provided market value of common equity and outstanding shares as indicators of the company's scale and investor interest at the time of filing.

Key Highlights

  • 1Ecolab Inc. is an accelerated filer, indicating a history of timely and compliant SEC filings.
  • 2The company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange, providing liquidity for investors.
  • 3The report incorporates key financial and operational details by reference from the company's 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
  • 4The aggregate market value of Ecolab's common equity held by non-affiliates was over $6.6 billion as of June 30, 2003.
  • 5As of February 27, 2004, there were over 257 million shares of Ecolab's Common Stock outstanding.
  • 6The filing includes comprehensive sections on the company's business, properties, legal proceedings, and financial information by segment and geographic area.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the provided excerpt doesn't detail the specific segments, Ecolab is generally known as a global provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. They serve diverse industries including food service, healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage processing, and industrial markets. Specific segment financial information is available within the full 10-K filing.

Key financial data and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II, and IV of this 10-K filing, primarily from Ecolab's Annual Report to Stockholders for the same year. Investors will need to review that referenced document for detailed financial statements and performance analysis.

Being an 'accelerated filer' means that Ecolab has met certain thresholds related to its public float and reporting history. This typically indicates a larger, more established company that has been subject to SEC reporting requirements for a sufficient period, suggesting a degree of financial stability and robust internal controls for timely and accurate financial reporting.

The provided excerpt lists 'Risk Factors' under Item 1(a) of Part I. While the specific risks are not detailed here, investors should consult this section within the full 10-K filing to understand potential challenges and uncertainties that could impact the company's future performance, such as competitive pressures, regulatory changes, economic conditions, or operational risks.