8-KEarnings & ResultsExhibits & Filings

ECOLAB INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Oct 23, 2008)

Filed October 23, 2008For Securities:ECL

Summary

Ecolab Inc. (ECL) filed an 8-K on October 23, 2008, to report its third-quarter financial results for the period ending September 30, 2008. The filing primarily serves to attach a press release that details the company's performance. A key aspect highlighted in the report is Ecolab's proactive approach to providing investors with a clearer understanding of its operational performance. Management believes that disclosing the impact of discrete tax items and special gains/charges is beneficial for investors. By presenting these adjustments, Ecolab aims to facilitate a more accurate comparison of current and prior period operating results, thereby enhancing transparency and helping stakeholders to better evaluate the company's underlying business trends and profitability.

Key Highlights

  • 1Ecolab Inc. announced its third-quarter 2008 earnings on October 23, 2008.
  • 2The 8-K filing includes a press release detailing the company's financial results.
  • 3Ecolab is providing investors with information on the impact of discrete tax items and special gains/charges.
  • 4Management believes this disclosure aids in comparing current and prior period operating results.
  • 5The company aims to eliminate the effect of non-recurring items for better investor analysis.
  • 6The press release is incorporated by reference and will be available on Ecolab's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to report Ecolab Inc.'s third-quarter 2008 earnings and to provide investors with a press release detailing the financial results and management's commentary on specific financial items.

Ecolab is highlighting the impact of discrete tax items and special gains and charges on its reported diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007. This is to help investors understand the performance excluding these non-recurring items.

Ecolab's management believes that disclosing these items facilitates a clearer comparison of current and prior period operating results, thereby offering investors a better view of the company's underlying operational performance by removing the influence of one-time events.

The press release is attached as Exhibit (99) to the 8-K filing and is incorporated by reference. Ecolab also plans to publish the press release on its corporate website, www.ecolab.com.