01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 8-K filed April 28, 2009. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
Ecolab Inc. (ECL) filed an 8-K on April 28, 2009, to report its first-quarter financial results for the period ending March 31, 2009.
The filing primarily references a press release (Exhibit 99) that details the company's financial performance for the quarter. Notably, Ecolab is providing non-GAAP pro forma diluted earnings per share, which excludes special gains/charges and discrete tax items. The company states that this non-GAAP measure is intended to provide investors with a clearer understanding of the underlying business performance by removing the impact of non-recurring items, thereby enabling better comparison between current and prior periods.
Investors should pay close attention to the specific details within the accompanying press release to understand the nature of these excluded items and their impact on reported earnings. While the 8-K itself is brief, it serves as the formal notification of the earnings release and highlights the company's commitment to offering a view of operational performance adjusted for unusual events, which is a common practice for many companies seeking to convey ongoing business health to the investment community.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- Ecolab Inc. (ECL) announced first-quarter 2009 earnings results on April 28, 2009.
- The 8-K filing incorporates by reference a press release (Exhibit 99) detailing these results.
- The company is reporting non-GAAP pro forma diluted earnings per share for Q1 2009 and Q1 2008.
- These non-GAAP figures exclude special gains and charges.
- Discrete tax items are also excluded from the pro forma earnings per share calculation.
- Ecolab's management believes this non-GAAP metric aids investors in understanding underlying business performance.
- The intention is to facilitate comparison of current and prior period operating results by removing non-recurring items.
03—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?
The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to formally announce Ecolab Inc.'s first-quarter 2009 earnings results and to incorporate by reference the accompanying press release that contains the detailed financial information.
What type of earnings per share is Ecolab reporting?
Ecolab is reporting non-GAAP pro forma diluted earnings per share. This measure excludes special gains and charges, as well as discrete tax items, to provide a view of the underlying business performance.
Why is Ecolab providing non-GAAP earnings per share?
Ecolab's management believes that by excluding special gains, charges, and discrete tax items, the non-GAAP pro forma earnings per share measure helps investors better understand the company's underlying business performance. It allows for a more direct comparison of operating results between the current and prior periods, free from the impact of non-recurring events.
Where can I find the detailed financial information discussed in the 8-K?
The detailed financial information is contained within the press release dated April 28, 2009, which is attached as Exhibit (99) to this 8-K filing. Ecolab also states that the press release will be available on its website at www.ecolab.com.
04—Continue