8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 21, 2017

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-9328	41-0231510
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1 Ecolab Place, Saint Paul, Minnesota	55102
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 1-800-232-6522

370 Wabasha Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55102

 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CRF 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 21, 2017, Ecolab Inc. (“Ecolab”) announced earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016.  A copy of the (i) News Release issued by Ecolab in connection with this report under Item 2.02 is furnished and attached as Exhibit (99.1), (ii) Supplemental Data to be used in connection with the conference call to be held discussing the fourth quarter results is furnished and attached as Exhibit (99.2), and (iii) Supplemental Discussion and related materials to be used in such conference call is furnished and attached as Exhibit (99.3), each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Ecolab also will publish the attached exhibits on its website located at www.ecolab.com.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and should not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(99.1) Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 21, 2017.

(99.2) Supplemental Data for Fourth Quarter dated February 21, 2017.

(99.3) Supplemental Discussion for Fourth Quarter dated February 21, 2017.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ECOLAB INC.
Date: February 21, 2017	By:	/s/ David F. Duvick
		David F. Duvick
		Assistant Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description	Method Of Filing
(99.1)	Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 21, 2017.	Filed herewith electronically.
(99.2)	Supplemental Data for Fourth Quarter dated February 21, 2017.	Filed herewith electronically.
(99.3)	Supplemental Discussion for Fourth Quarter dated February 21, 2017.	Filed herewith electronically.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Ecolab Inc.

370 Wabasha Street North

St. Paul, Minnesota  55102

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Michael J. Monahan(651) 250-2809

Andrew C. Hedberg(651) 250-2185

ECOLAB FOURTH QUARTER REPORTED DILUTED EPS $1.24 

ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS $1.25, +2%

EXPECTS FULL YEAR 2017 ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS OF $4.70 TO $4.90

2017 adjusted diluted EPS forecast includes estimated $0.07  (2%) currency headwind

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

· Reported diluted EPS $1.24

· Adjusted diluted EPS $1.25, +2%, and included a $0.02 (2%) currency headwind

· Solid Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segment growth +4%, along with margin expansion, offset an anticipated Global Energy sales decline

2017 FORECAST:

· 2017 adjusted diluted EPS forecast of $4.70 to $4.90, +8% to 12%, as continued solid growth in Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments, along with improving Global Energy segment results, drive performance

	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31
	Reported				Adjusted *
(unaudited)	Public Currency Rates		%		Public Currency Rates		%
(millions, except per share)	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net sales	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%
Operating income	556.9	322.8	73	%	564.8	566.7	0	%
Net income attributable to Ecolab	366.3	208.9	75	%	368.2	366.7	0	%
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.24	$ 0.69	80	%	$ 1.25	$ 1.22	2	%
					Adjusted *
	Fixed Currency Rates *		%		Fixed Currency Rates		%
	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net sales	$ 3,307.4	$ 3,342.1	(1)	%	$ 3,307.4	$ 3,342.1	(1)	%
Operating income	548.6	311.6	76	%	556.5	555.5	0	%

*  See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” section of this release for further discussion

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ST. PAUL, Minn., February 21, 2017: Continued solid Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segment sales growth along with margin expansion more than offset expected lower Global Energy segment results to deliver 2% fourth quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share growth, which included an unfavorable $0.02 per share (2 percentage point) impact from currency translation.

CEO comment

“Continued solid fixed currency growth by our Institutional, Industrial and Other segments led results and outpaced lackluster global end markets. New business wins, new products and a focus on sales execution, along with pricing and cost efficiencies, drove the segment gains. The Energy segment continued to stabilize, delivering fourth quarter sales and operating income that were sequentially the same as the third quarter.

“We have performed well over the past two years through a very challenging business environment, defined by slow overall global growth, a strengthening dollar and substantial declines in the energy market. While our results were dramatically impacted by both currency and energy markets, our businesses have continued to execute well.  We have outperformed our markets and key global competitors as we built share through our sales and innovation efforts, improved our margins and grew earnings while at the same time making the critical investments that will drive our future growth.

“We expect to deliver more Ecolab-like results in 2017.  While we believe global economic growth will remain sluggish, we expect the energy market to stabilize around current levels and currency translation challenges to moderate.  Against this backdrop, we will once again drive outperformance through new product and service solutions to better serve our customers and, along with pricing and close attention to our costs, improve our margins. Our value proposition is robust and the need for our products and services continues to increase. We have a strong team, excellent market positions and a commitment to win. Our opportunities remain large and attractive and our capacity to capture them is stronger than ever. Importantly, while we are committed to delivering improved growth and shareholder returns in 2017, we will continue to make the needed investments to deliver even better growth in the years ahead.”

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Fourth Quarter 2016 Consolidated Results

Ecolab's fourth quarter reported and fixed currency sales decreased 2% and 1%, respectively. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales declined 1% when compared to the prior year. 

Fourth quarter 2016 reported operating income increased 73%, while fixed currency reported operating income increased 76%. Both reported fourth quarter 2016 and 2015 results include special gains and charges. Excluding special gains and charges, fourth quarter 2016 adjusted operating income was flat against fourth quarter 2015. Excluding special gains and charges and at fixed currency rates, adjusted fixed currency operating income rose slightly. Our reported operating income margin increased 710 basis points, and our adjusted fixed currency operating income margin increased 20 basis points. The increase in adjusted fixed currency operating income and improvement in adjusted fixed currency operating income margin was driven by pricing, volume growth and cost savings initiatives in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments, which was partially offset by a decline in Global Energy results.    

Fourth quarter 2016 reported net income attributable to Ecolab increased 75% and reported diluted earnings per share increased 80%. Excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items, adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab was flat and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 2% against fourth quarter 2015. Our fourth quarter 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per share include a $0.02 per share (2 percentage point) currency headwind (including the impact of the Venezuela deconsolidation of $0.01 per share) against fourth quarter 2015.

The reported income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2016 was 23.9%, compared with the reported rate of 14.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding the tax rate impact of the special gains and charges and discrete tax items, the adjusted tax rate was 24.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with 24.2% for the same period last year. The increase in our adjusted tax rate was primarily driven by the annualization of the research and development tax credit in 2016 compared with the prior year’s full recognition in the fourth quarter.

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Fourth Quarter 2016 Segment Review

We evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency rates of foreign exchange, which eliminate the translation impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our international results. We also provide our segment results based on public currency rates for informational purposes.

Acquisition adjusted growth rates generally exclude the results of any acquired business from the first twelve months post acquisition and exclude the results of divested businesses from the previous twelve months prior to divestiture. Acquisition adjusted growth rates also exclude the Venezuelan results of operations from both the current period and comparable period of the prior year.

Global Industrial
(unaudited)	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31						Acq. Adj.
(millions)	2016		2015		% Change		% Change
Fixed currency
Sales	$ 1,200.6		$ 1,176.6		2	%	2	%
Operating income	203.2		196.2		4	%	5	%
Operating income margin	16.9	%	16.7	%
Acq. adj. operating income margin	16.9	%	16.6	%
Public currency
Sales	$ 1,222.9		$ 1,203.4		2	%
Operating income	208.2		198.1		5	%

Global Industrial fixed currency sales rose 2%, led by strong gains in Paper, with modest increases in Food & Beverage and Water. Latin America led the Global Industrial regional growth, with modest gains in North America. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income rose 5%  as improved volume and mix, pricing and cost savings initiatives more than offset modestly higher delivered product costs.

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Global Institutional
(unaudited)	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31						Acq. Adj.
(millions)	2016		2015		% Change		% Change
Fixed currency
Sales	$ 1,141.2		$ 1,089.2		5	%	5	%
Operating income	258.8		224.9		15	%	16	%
Operating income margin	22.7	%	20.6	%
Acq. adj. operating income margin	23.0	%	20.8	%
Public currency
Sales	$ 1,150.2		$ 1,102.0		4	%
Operating income	259.3		227.2		14	%

Global Institutional fixed currency sales grew 5%, with results led by our Specialty and Healthcare businesses. Sales for the segment showed good growth in Latin America and North America.  Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 16% as pricing, sales volume gains and a significant increase in the Healthcare margin versus last year  (which included the impact of a voluntary recall) more than offset investments in the business and modestly higher delivered product costs.        

Global Energy
(unaudited)	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31						Acq. Adj.
(millions)	2016		2015		% Change		% Change
Fixed currency
Sales	$ 760.6		$ 885.1		(14)	%	(14)	%
Operating income	98.3		140.3		(30)	%	(29)	%
Operating income margin	12.9	%	15.9	%
Acq. adj. operating income margin	12.8	%	15.5	%
Public currency
Sales	$ 774.3		$ 913.0		(15)	%
Operating income	101.9		147.2		(31)	%

Global Energy fixed currency sales declined 14% reflecting decreases in both the upstream and downstream businesses. The fourth quarter 2016 comparison included the previously discussed impact of favorable one-time sales in 2015 and unfavorable customer business disruptions in 2016.  Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income decreased 29% due to lower sales volume and reduced pricing, which more than offset cost reduction actions, delivered product cost savings and synergies.

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Other
(unaudited)	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31						Acq. Adj.
(millions)	2016		2015		% Change		% Change
Fixed currency
Sales	$ 205.0		$ 191.2		7	%	7	%
Operating income	37.9		35.6		6	%	6	%
Operating income margin	18.5	%	18.6	%
Acq. adj. operating income margin	18.5	%	18.6	%
Public currency
Sales	$ 204.7		$ 193.6		6	%
Operating income	37.5		36.4		3	%

The Other segment fixed currency sales increased 7% driven by strong growth in Pest Elimination. Sales for the segment showed good growth in Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America. Fixed currency operating income rose 6% as pricing and sales volume gains were partially offset by investments in the business and higher fleet-related costs in the quarter. 

Corporate

Corporate segment expense includes amortization expense of $42 million in both the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 related to the Nalco merger intangible assets. Corporate expense also includes special gains and charges. Total special gains and charges for the fourth quarter of 2016 were insignificant on a net basis. Special gains and charges for the fourth quarter of 2015 were a net charge of $242 million ($165 million after-tax) and primarily consisted of a$123 millioncharge related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan business and$63 millionrelated to restructuring costs. The remainder of the special gains and charges consisted primarily of an asset impairment and wage-hour litigation-related charges.

Business Outlook

2017

Ecolab expects full year 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $4.70 to $4.90 range, rising 8% to 12%. We expect the second half of the year to show better earnings growth comparisons than the first half.

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Adjusted diluted earnings per share do not reflect the net impact of future special gains and charges or discrete tax items. We expect a full year special charge, including deal, integration and inventory step-up costs associated with Swisher and recently announced Anios acquisition, to be approximately $0.06 per share. Discrete tax items are expected to be favorable, resulting from adoption of accounting changes with regards to tax benefits on share-based compensation. We are not forecasting the net impact of special gains and charges or other discrete tax items, as such amounts, other than those associated with Swisher and Anios, are not currently quantifiable.

When compared with our 2016 performance, we expect improved acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales growth in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments with stabilizing Global Energy segment sales. We anticipate improved adjusted gross margin driven by pricing and cost efficiency actions that offset higher delivered product costs, with a similar selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) ratio to sales, lower interest expense and a similar adjusted tax rate versus 2016. 

At current rates of exchange, we expect foreign currency translation to have an unfavorable impact of approximately 1 percentage point on full year sales and an estimated 2 percentage point (approximately $0.07 per share) unfavorable impact on diluted earnings per share.

Our detailed outlook for the full year of 2017 is as follows:

Adjusted Gross Margin, excluding special gains and charges	48% to 49%
SG&A % of Sales	approx. 33%
Interest expense, net	approx. $250 million
Adjusted tax rate	approx. 25%
Noncontrolling interest	approx. $0.05
Adjusted EPS, excluding special gains and charges	$4.70 - $4.90
Diluted shares	approx. 293 million

Reported 2016 diluted earnings per share of $4.14 included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items, 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.37.

2017 — First Quarter

Ecolab expects first quarter 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $0.77 to $0.83 range, compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.77 a year ago. 

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We expect a first quarter 2017 special charge associated with Swisher and the recently announced Anios acquisition to be approximately $0.03 per share. Discrete tax items are expected to largely result from the adoption of updated accounting standards with regards to tax benefits on share-based compensation. We are not forecasting the net impact of discrete tax items or special gains and charges as the amounts, other than those associated with Swisher and Anios, are not currently quantifiable.    

At current rates of exchange, we expect foreign currency to have an unfavorable 1 percentage point (approximately $0.01) impact on diluted earnings per share.

Our detailed outlook for the first quarter of 2017 is as follows:

Adjusted Gross Margin, excluding special gains and charges	approx. 47%
SG&A % of Sales	approx. 35%
Interest expense, net	$60 million to $65 million
Adjusted tax rate	approx. 25%
Noncontrolling interest	approx. $0.01
Adjusted EPS, excluding special gains and charges	$0.77 - $0.83
Diluted shares	approx. 295 million

Reported first quarter 2016 diluted earnings per share of $0.77 included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items, first quarter 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per share were also $0.77.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at more than one million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With 2016 sales of $13 billion and 48,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. For more Ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com.  

Ecolab will host a live webcast to review the fourth quarter earnings announcement and earnings guidance today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webcast, along with related materials, will be available to the public on Ecolab's website at www.ecolab.com/investor. A replay of the webcast

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and related materials will be available at that site. Listening to the webcast requires Internet access, the Windows Media Player or other compatible streaming media player.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication contains certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations and predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our financial and business performance and prospects, including forecasted 2017 first quarter and full-year financial and business results, including sales growth, adjusted gross margin, SG&A ratios to sales, interest expense, adjusted tax rate, noncontrolling interest, adjusted diluted earnings per share and diluted shares outstanding, pricing, margin improvement, energy market conditions, foreign currency,  and special gains and charges and quantifiable discrete tax items. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. In particular, the ultimate results of any restructuring, integration and business improvement actions, including cost synergies, depend on a number of factors, including the development of final plans, the impact of local regulatory requirements regarding employee terminations, the time necessary to develop and implement the restructuring and other business improvement initiatives and the level of success achieved through such actions in improving competitiveness, efficiency and effectiveness.

Additional risks and uncertainties that may affect operating results and business performance are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and include the vitality of the markets we serve, including the impact of oil price fluctuations on the markets served by our Global Energy segment; the impact of economic factors such as the worldwide economy, capital flows, interest rates and foreign currency risk, including reduced sales and earnings in other countries resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar; our ability to attract and retain high caliber

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management talent to lead our business; our ability to execute key business initiatives; potential information technology infrastructure failures and cybersecurity attacks; exposure to global economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations including with respect to our operations in Russia; the costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations, including those relating to the environment and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products; the occurrence of litigation or claims, including related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; our ability to develop competitive advantages through innovation; difficulty in procuring raw materials or fluctuations in raw material costs; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to acquire complementary businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses; restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual obligations; pressure on operations from consolidation of customers, vendors or competitors; public health epidemics; potential losses arising from the impairment of goodwill or other assets; potential loss of deferred tax assets; changes in tax law and unanticipated tax liabilities; potential chemical spill or release; potential class action lawsuits; the loss or insolvency of a major customer or distributor; acts of war or terrorism; natural or man-made disasters; water shortages; severe weather conditions; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in expectations, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This news release and certain of the accompanying tables include financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include:

· fixed currency sales

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales

· adjusted cost of sales

· adjusted gross margin

· fixed currency operating income

· fixed currency operating income margin

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· adjusted operating income

· adjusted fixed currency operating income

· adjusted fixed currency operating income margin

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income margin

· adjusted tax rate

· adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab

· adjusted diluted earnings per share

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

Our non-GAAP financial measures for cost of sales, gross margin and operating income exclude the impact of special (gains) and charges, and our non-GAAP measures for tax rate, net income attributable to Ecolab and diluted earnings per share further exclude the impact of discrete tax items. We include items within special (gains) and charges and discrete tax items that we believe can significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and not necessarily reflect costs associated with historical trends and future results. After tax special (gains) and charges are derived by applying the applicable local jurisdictional tax rate to the corresponding pre-tax special (gains) and charges.

We evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency rates of foreign exchange. Fixed currency amounts included in this release are based on translation into U.S. dollars at the fixed foreign currency exchange rates established by management at the beginning of 2016. Fixed currency amounts also reflect all Venezuelan bolivar operations, prior to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations, at a Marginal Currency System (“SIMADI”) rate of approximately 200 bolivares to 1 U.S. dollar, which was the approximate conversion rate for SIMADI at year end 2015.

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Acquisition adjusted growth rates exclude the results of any acquired business from the first twelve months post acquisition and exclude the results of divested businesses from the previous twelve months prior to divestiture. Acquisition adjusted growth rates also exclude the Venezuelan results of operations from both the current period and comparable period of the prior year.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure when evaluating our business. We recommend that investors view these measures in conjunction with the GAAP measures included in this news release. Reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures are included in the following "Supplemental Non-GAAP Reconciliations" and “Supplemental Diluted Earnings per Share Information” tables included in this news release.

###

(ECL-E)

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ECOLAB INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 (unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	December 31		%		December 31		%
(millions, except per share)	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net sales	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%	$ 13,152.8	$ 13,545.1	(3)	%
Cost of sales (1)	1,745.1	1,831.7	(5)	%	6,898.9	7,223.5	(4)	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,046.3	1,058.8	(1)	%	4,299.4	4,345.5	(1)	%
Special (gains) and charges (1)	3.8	198.7			39.5	414.8
Operating income	556.9	322.8	73	%	1,915.0	1,561.3	23	%
Interest expense, net	68.3	62.3	10	%	264.6	243.6	9	%
Income before income taxes	488.6	260.5	88	%	1,650.4	1,317.7	25	%
Provision for income taxes	116.6	37.6	210	%	403.3	300.5	34	%
Net income including noncontrolling interest	372.0	222.9	67	%	1,247.1	1,017.2	23	%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (1)	5.7	14.0			17.5	15.1
Net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 366.3	$ 208.9	75	%	$ 1,229.6	$ 1,002.1	23	%
Earnings attributable to Ecolab per common share
Basic	$ 1.26	$ 0.71	77	%	$ 4.20	$ 3.38	24	%
Diluted	$ 1.24	$ 0.69	80	%	$ 4.14	$ 3.32	25	%
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic	291.7	295.8	(1)	%	292.5	296.4	(1)	%
Diluted	295.5	300.6	(2)	%	296.7	301.4	(2)	%
(1) Special (gains) and charges in the Consolidated Statement of Income above include the following:
(millions)	2016	2015			2016	2015
Cost of sales
Restructuring related activities	$ (1.3)	$ 14.4			$ (0.4)	$ 16.5
Inventory costs	(6.2)	(14.5)			(6.2)	(14.5)
Inventory reserve	-	20.6			-	20.6
Energy related charges	11.6	-			62.6	-
Fixed asset impairment and other inventory charges	-	24.7			10.0	24.7
Venezuela related activities	-	-			-	33.3
Subtotal	4.1	45.2			66.0	80.6
Special (gains) and charges
Restructuring related activities	(1.9)	50.6			(8.7)	83.8
Champion and Nalco integration costs	-	3.8			-	18.7
Energy related charges	1.6	-			14.2	-
Venezuela related activities	-	123.4			(7.8)	256.0
Other	4.1	20.9			41.8	56.3
Subtotal	3.8	198.7			39.5	414.8
Operating income subtotal	7.9	243.9			105.5	495.4
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Restructuring related activities	-	(1.7)			-	(1.7)
Venezuela related activities	-	-			-	(11.1)
Subtotal	-	(1.7)			-	(12.8)
Total special (gains) and charges	$ 7.9	$ 242.2			$ 105.5	$ 482.6

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ECOLAB INC.

REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION

 (unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31
	Fixed Currency Rates				Public Currency Rates
			%				%
(millions)	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net Sales
Global Industrial	$ 1,200.6	$ 1,176.6	2	%	$ 1,222.9	$ 1,203.4	2	%
Global Institutional	1,141.2	1,089.2	5	%	1,150.2	1,102.0	4	%
Global Energy	760.6	885.1	(14)	%	774.3	913.0	(15)	%
Other	205.0	191.2	7	%	204.7	193.6	6	%
Subtotal at fixed currency rates	3,307.4	3,342.1	(1)	%	3,352.1	3,412.0	(2)	%
Currency impact	44.7	69.9	*		-	-	*
Consolidated	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%
Operating Income
Global Industrial	$ 203.2	$ 196.2	4	%	$ 208.2	$ 198.1	5	%
Global Institutional	258.8	224.9	15	%	259.3	227.2	14	%
Global Energy	98.3	140.3	(30)	%	101.9	147.2	(31)	%
Other	37.9	35.6	6	%	37.5	36.4	3	%
Corporate	(49.6)	(285.4)	*		(50.0)	(286.1)	*
Subtotal at fixed currency rates	548.6	311.6	76	%	556.9	322.8	73	%
Currency impact	8.3	11.2	*		-	-	*
Consolidated	$ 556.9	$ 322.8	73	%	$ 556.9	$ 322.8	73	%
	Year Ended  December 31
	Fixed Currency Rates				Public Currency Rates
			%				%
(millions)	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net Sales
Global Industrial	$ 4,617.1	$ 4,485.5	3	%	$ 4,709.8	$ 4,726.9	0	%
Global Institutional	4,495.6	4,210.9	7	%	4,540.3	4,307.6	5	%
Global Energy	3,035.8	3,470.8	(13)	%	3,092.9	3,747.2	(17)	%
Other	806.5	747.1	8	%	809.8	763.4	6	%
Subtotal at fixed currency rates	12,955.0	12,914.3	0	%	13,152.8	13,545.1	(3)	%
Currency impact	197.8	630.8	*		-	-	*
Consolidated	$ 13,152.8	$ 13,545.1	(3)	%	$ 13,152.8	$ 13,545.1	(3)	%
Operating Income
Global Industrial	$ 703.0	$ 626.4	12	%	$ 719.9	$ 673.0	7	%
Global Institutional	966.7	876.6	10	%	972.7	889.2	9	%
Global Energy	337.1	465.5	(28)	%	348.4	538.0	(35)	%
Other	148.1	127.5	16	%	148.0	129.3	14	%
Corporate	(272.1)	(663.8)	*		(274.0)	(668.2)	*
Subtotal at fixed currency rates	1,882.8	1,432.2	31	%	1,915.0	1,561.3	23	%
Currency impact	32.2	129.1	*		-	-	*
Consolidated	$ 1,915.0	$ 1,561.3	23	%	$ 1,915.0	$ 1,561.3	23	%

* Not meaningful.

As shown in the “Fixed Currency Rates” tables above, we evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency exchange rates, which eliminate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our international operations. Amounts shown in the “Public Currency Rates” tables above reflect amounts translated at actual public average rates of exchange prevailing during the corresponding period, and are provided for informational purposes. The difference between the fixed currency exchange rates and the public currency exchange rates is reported as “Currency impact” in the “Fixed Currency Rates” tables above.

The Corporate segment includes amortization from the Nalco merger intangible assets. The Corporate segment also includes special (gains) and charges reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income. 

14

ECOLAB INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(unaudited)

	December 31	December 31
(millions)	2016	2015
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 327.4	$ 92.8
Accounts receivable, net	2,341.2	2,390.2
Inventories	1,319.4	1,388.2
Deferred income taxes	-	250.0
Other current assets	291.4	326.3
Total current assets	4,279.4	4,447.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,365.0	3,228.3
Goodwill	6,383.0	6,490.8
Other intangible assets, net	3,817.8	4,109.2
Other assets	485.0	365.9
Total assets	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	$ 541.3	$ 2,205.3
Accounts payable	983.2	1,049.6
Compensation and benefits	516.3	509.0
Income taxes	87.4	52.2
Other current liabilities	891.2	948.3
Total current liabilities	3,019.4	4,764.4
Long-term debt	6,145.7	4,260.2
Postretirement health care and pension benefits	1,019.2	1,117.1
Deferred income taxes	970.2	1,281.2
Other liabilities	204.8	238.4
Total liabilities	11,359.3	11,661.3
Equity
Common stock	352.6	350.3
Additional paid-in capital	5,270.8	5,086.1
Retained earnings	6,975.0	6,160.3
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,712.9)	(1,423.3)
Treasury stock	(3,984.4)	(3,263.5)
Total Ecolab shareholders’ equity	6,901.1	6,909.9
Noncontrolling interest	69.8	70.5
Total equity	6,970.9	6,980.4
Total liabilities and equity	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7

During the first quarter of 2016, we early-adopted the accounting guidance issued in November 2015 that requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, using the prospective application method. Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted for adoption of this guidance.

15

ECOLAB INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

(unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	December 31				December 31
(millions, except percent and per share)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net sales
Reported GAAP net sales	$ 3,352.1		$ 3,412.0		$ 13,152.8		$ 13,545.1
Effect of foreign currency translation	(44.7)		(69.9)		(197.8)		(630.8)
Non-GAAP fixed currency sales	$ 3,307.4		$ 3,342.1		$ 12,955.0		$ 12,914.3
Cost of sales
Reported GAAP cost of sales	$ 1,745.1		$ 1,831.7		$ 6,898.9		$ 7,223.5
Special (gains) and charges	4.1		45.2		66.0		80.6
Non-GAAP cost of sales	$ 1,741.0		$ 1,786.5		$ 6,832.9		$ 7,142.9
Gross margin
Reported GAAP gross margin	47.9	%	46.3	%	47.5	%	46.7	%
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin	48.1	%	47.6	%	48.0	%	47.3	%
Operating income
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP fixed currency operating income	$ 548.6		$ 311.6		$ 1,882.8		$ 1,432.2
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Special (gains) and charges	7.9		243.9		105.5		495.4
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income	564.8		566.7		2,020.5		2,056.7
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income	$ 556.5		$ 555.5		$ 1,988.3		$ 1,927.6
Operating income margin
Reported GAAP operating income margin	16.6	%	9.5	%	14.6	%	11.5	%
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income margin	16.8	%	16.6	%	15.3	%	14.9	%
Net Income Attributable to Ecolab
Reported GAAP net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 366.3		$ 208.9		$ 1,229.6		$ 1,002.1
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	1.6		165.1		62.4		376.9
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.3		(7.3)		3.9		(63.3)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 368.2		$ 366.7		$ 1,295.9		$ 1,315.7
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to Ecolab ("EPS")
Reported GAAP diluted EPS	$ 1.24		$ 0.69		$ 4.14		$ 3.32
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	0.01		0.55		0.21		1.25
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.00		(0.02)		0.01		(0.21)
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS	$ 1.25		$ 1.22		$ 4.37		$ 4.37
Provision for Income Taxes
Reported GAAP tax rate	23.9	%	14.4	%	24.4	%	22.8	%
Special gains and charges	0.9		8.3		1.0		(0.4)
Discrete tax items	(0.1)		1.5		(0.2)		3.5
Non-GAAP adjusted tax rate	24.7	%	24.2	%	25.2	%	25.9	%

16

ECOLAB INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION

(unaudited)

The table below provides a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share, as reported, to the non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share.

	First	Second	Six	Third	Nine	Fourth
	Quarter	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Year
	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended
	Mar. 31	June 30	June 30	Sept. 30	Sept. 30	Dec. 31	Dec. 31
	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (U.S. GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 1.00	$ 1.77	$ 0.86	$ 2.63	$ 0.69	$ 3.32
Adjustments:
Special (gains) and charges (1)	0.02	0.20	0.22	0.48	0.70	0.55	1.25
Discrete tax expense (benefits) (2)	0.01	(0.13)	(0.12)	(0.06)	(0.19)	(0.02)	(0.21)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)	$ 0.80	$ 1.08	$ 1.87	$ 1.28	$ 3.15	$ 1.22	$ 4.37

	First	Second	Six	Third	Nine	Fourth
	Quarter	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Year
	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended
	Mar. 31	June 30	June 30	Sept. 30	Sept. 30	Dec. 31	Dec. 31
	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (U.S. GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 0.87	$ 1.64	$ 1.27	$ 2.91	$ 1.24	$ 4.14
Adjustments:
Special (gains) and charges (3)	0.01	0.19	0.21	0.00	0.20	0.01	0.21
Discrete tax expense (benefits) (4)	(0.02)	0.01	(0.00)	0.02	0.01	0.00	0.01
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 1.08	$ 1.85	$ 1.28	$ 3.12	$ 1.25	$ 4.37

Per share amounts do not necessarily sum due to changes in shares outstanding and rounding.

(1) Special (gains) and charges for 2015 included restructuring charges of $1.6 million, $14.6 million, $10.0 million and $49.3 million, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included $3.2 million, $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million of costs, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Champion integration costs. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included $0.5 million, $0.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.1 million of costs, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Nalco integration costs. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also include charges of $30.2 million, $124.6 million, $80.9 million, net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Venezuelan charges. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included a charge of $15.4 million, net of tax, in the fourth quarter related to a fixed asset impairment. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included charges of $13.4 million, $7.8 million and $17.1 million, net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, primarily related to litigation related charges, a loss on the sale of a portion of our Ecovation business and the net impact of inventory reserve and inventory cost policy harmonization efforts.

(2) The first quarter 2015 discrete tax items net expenses of $2.6 million were driven primarily by a change to a deferred tax liability resulting from the Naperville facility transaction. The second quarter 2015 discrete tax items net benefits of $39.4 million were driven primarily from our ability to recognize a worthless stock deduction for the tax basis in a wholly owned domestic subsidiary. The third quarter 2015 discrete tax items net benefits of $19.2 million were driven primarily by the release of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets and a refund claim for taxes paid in a prior period resulting from updated IRS regulations, offset partially by recognizing adjustments from filing our 2014 U.S. federal income tax return. The fourth quarter discrete tax items net benefits of $7.3 million were driven primarily by the finalization of prior year IRS audits, valuation allowance releases and other statute of limitation tax reserve releases.

(3) Special (gains) and charges for 2016 included restructuring charges of $1.8 million, net of tax in the first quarter, and gains related to restructuring of  $1.9 million, $7.2 million,  $3.5 million net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.  Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a charge of $42.9 million and $7.1 million net of tax, during the second and fourth quarters, respectively, associated with the downturn in the global energy market. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a charge of $6.3 million, net of tax, during the second quarter related to other fixed asset impairments and inventory charges. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a gain of $4.6 million, net of tax, during the fourth quarter of 2016, related to inventory cost policy harmonization efforts, initiated in 2015. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a gain of $4.9 million, net of tax, during the second quarter related to the recovery of previously written off Venezuelan intercompany receivables. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included $2.6 million,  $14.6 million,  $6.6 million and $2.6 million, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to other charges, including litigation related charges.

17

(4) The first quarter 2016 discrete tax items net benefits of $4.8 million were driven primarily by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to expiration of statute of limitations in non-U.S. jurisdictions. The second quarter 2016 discrete tax items net expenses of $3.9 million were driven by individually insignificant items, including adjustments to deferred tax asset and liability positions. The third quarter 2016 discrete tax items net expenses of $4.5 million were driven primarily by recognizing adjustments from filing our 2015 U.S. federal income tax return, partially offset by settlement of international tax matters and remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the application of an updated tax rate in an international jurisdiction. The fourth quarter discrete tax items net expenses of $0.3 million were driven by individually insignificant items, including tax charges related to optimizing our business structure and settlement of international tax matters, partially offset by valuation allowance releases and other adjustments.

18

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Fourth Quarter 2016
Teleconference
Supplemental Data

Cautionary Statement

Forward-Looking Information    This communication contains forward looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future financial and business performance and prospects, including forecasted 2017 first quarter and full year business and financial results, foreign currency impact, energy market conditions, pricing, capital investments and business acquisitions. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of Ecolab Inc (“the Company”). There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and include the vitality of the markets we serve, including the markets served by our Global Energy segment; the impact of worldwide economic factors such as the worldwide economy, credit markets, interest rates and foreign currency risk, including reduced sales and earnings in other countries resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar; exposure to economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations; the costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations relating to our operations; the occurrence of litigation or claims; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Information    This communication includes Company information that does not conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management believes that a presentation of this information is meaningful to investors because it provides insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and allows investors to better evaluate the financial results of the Company. These measures should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. Furthermore, these measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided by other companies. Reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures included within this presentation are included in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this presentation.

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 2

4Q 2016 Overview

◢Earnings:

§ Reported diluted EPS $1.24, +80% versus last year; adjusted diluted EPS $1.25, +2% versus last year

§ Reported and adjusted diluted EPS include $0.02 (2 percentage points) impact from currency translation and Venezuela deconsolidation

◢Sales:

§ Reported sales -2%; fixed currency and acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales -1%

§ Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segment acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales +4%, offset by an expected decline in Global Energy sales 

§ New business growth and new product introductions drove share gains

◢Operating Margin:

§ Reported operating margin +710 bps; adjusted fixed currency operating margin +20 bps 

§ Pricing, volume growth and cost savings initiatives in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments was partially offset by a decline in Global Energy

◢Outlook:

§ 2017: Adjusted diluted EPS of $4.70 to $4.90, +8% to 12%

§ 1Q: Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.77 to $0.83, +0% to 8%

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 3

4Q 2016 Results

	Fourth Quarter Ended December 31
	Reported				Adjusted *
(unaudited)	Public Currency Rates		%		Public Currency Rates		%
(millions, except per share)	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net sales	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%	$ 3,352.1	$ 3,412.0	(2)	%
Operating income	556.9	322.8	73	%	564.8	566.7	0	%
Net income attributable to Ecolab	366.3	208.9	75	%	368.2	366.7	0	%
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.24	$ 0.69	80	%	$ 1.25	$ 1.22	2	%
					Adjusted *
	Fixed Currency Rates *		%		Fixed Currency Rates		%
	2016	2015	Change		2016	2015	Change
Net sales	$ 3,307.4	$ 3,342.1	(1)	%	$ 3,307.4	$ 3,342.1	(1)	%
Operating income	548.6	311.6	76	%	556.5	555.5	0	%

*See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this presentation for corresponding reconciliations.

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 4

4Q 2016 Sales Growth Detail

	FixedRate	Acq./Div.Adj.
GlobalIndustrial	%Change	%Change	Consolidated	%Change
Food & Beverage	2%	2%	Volume & mix	-1%
Water	1%	1%	Pricing	0%
Paper	5%	5%	Subtotal	-1%
Textile Care	4%	4%	Acq./Div.	0%
Total Global Industrial	2%	2%	Fixed currency growth	-1%
			Currency impact	-1%
Global Institutional			Total	-2%
Institutional	4%	4%
Specialty	8%	8%
Healthcare	6%	6%
Total Global Institutional	5%	5%
Global Energy	-14%	-14%
Other
Pest Elimination	9%	9%
Equipment Care	2%	2%
Total Other	7%	7%

Amounts in the tables above may reflect rounding.  Acq./Div. Adj. excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures and Venezuela results.

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 5

4Q 2016 Income Statement / Margins

($millions, unaudited)	2016	%sales	2015	%sales	%change		Comments*
Gross Profit	$ 1,607.0	47.9%	$ 1,580.3	46.3%	2	%	Excluding special charges, our adjusted gross margin was 48.1% vs. 47.6%, increasing 50 bps, resulting from cost savings and the impact of the decline in Global Energy, which on average has a lower gross profit margin.
SG&A	1,046.3	31.2%	1,058.8	31.0%	(1)	%	The 20 bps increase in 2016 primarily reflects investments in the business and the decline in Global Energy, which on average has a lower SG&A ratio.
Operating Income (fixed FX)
Global Industrial	203.2	16.9%	196.2	16.7%	4	%	2016 acquisition adjusted fixed currency margins were 16.9% vs. 16.6% in 2015. The 30 bps improvement was due to improved volume and mix, pricing and cost savings initiatives more than offsetting modestly higher delivered product costs.
Global Institutional	258.8	22.7%	224.9	20.6%	15	%	2016 acquisition adjusted fixed currency margins were 23.0% vs. 20.8% in 2015. Margins rose 220 bps as pricing, sales volume gains and a significant increase in the Healthcare margin versus last year (which included the impact of a voluntary recall) more than offset investments in the business and modestly higher delivered product costs.
Global Energy	98.3	12.9%	140.3	15.9%	(30)	%	2016 acquisition adjusted fixed currency margins were 12.8% vs. 15.5% in 2015 reflecting lower sales volume and reduced pricing, which more than offset cost reduction actions, delivered product cost savings and synergies.
Other	37.9	18.5%	35.6	18.6%	6	%	The 10 bps reduction reflected pricing and sales volume gains that were partially offset by investments in the business and higher fleet-related costs in the quarter.
Subtotal at fixed FX	598.2	18.1%	597.0	17.9%	0	%
Corporate
Special Gains/(Ch.)	(7.9)		(243.9)				2016: Energy inventory and other charges partially offset by restructuring related gains and standardization of our accounting policies related to inventory product costing. 2015: Venezuela deconsolidation charge of $123 million, restructuring charges of $63 million, asset impairment, wage-hour litigation charges and other costs.
Corp. Expense	(41.7)		(41.5)				Includes Nalco intangible amortization of $42 million in 2016 and 2015.
Total Corporate Exp.	(49.6)		(285.4)
FX	8.3		11.2
Consolidated Op. Inc.	$ 556.9	16.6%	$ 322.8	9.5%	73	%	2016 adjusted fixed currency margin was 16.8%, +20 bps vs. the equivalent 2015 margin of 16.6%. The margin expansion was driven by pricing, continued sales volume growth and cost savings in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments, which were partially offset by a decline in Global Energy results.

*See Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this presentation for corresponding reconciliations.

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 6

4Q 2016 Balance Sheet / Cash Flow

SummaryBalanceSheet
	December 31			December 31
(millions, unaudited)	2016	2015	(millions, unaudited)	2016	2015
Cash and cash eq.	$ 327.4	$ 92.8	Short-term debt	$ 541.3	$ 2,205.3
Accounts receivable, net	2,341.2	2,390.2	Accounts payable	983.2	1,049.6
Inventories	1,319.4	1,388.2	Other current liabilities	1,494.9	1,509.5
Other current assets	291.4	576.3	Long-term debt	6,145.7	4,260.2
PP&E, net	3,365.0	3,228.3	Pension/Postretirement	1,019.2	1,117.1
Goodwill and intangibles	10,200.8	10,600.0	Other liabilities	1,175.0	1,519.6
Other assets	485.0	365.9	Total equity	6,970.9	6,980.4
Total assets	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7	Total liab. and equity	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7
SelectedCashFlowitems			SelectedBalanceSheetmeasures
	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31			December 31
(millions, unaudited)	2016	2015	(unaudited)	2016	2015
Cash from op. activities	$ 1,939.7	$ 1,999.8	Total Debt/Total Capital	49.0%	48.1%
Depreciation	561.0	559.5	Net Debt/Total Capital	47.7%	47.7%
Amortization	289.7	300.0	Net Debt/EBITDA*	2.3	2.6
Capital expenditures	707.4	771.0	Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA*	2.2	2.2

* EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.  EBITDA is defined as the sum of operating income, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the sum of adjusted operating income, depreciation and amortization. The inputs to EBITDA reflect the trailing twelve months of activity for the period presented. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this presentation corresponding reconciliations.

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 7

2017 Outlook

◢Outlook (adjusted EPS)

§ 2017 $4.70 to $4.90, +8% to 12%

§ 1Q $0.77 to $0.83, +0% to 8%

◢Assumptions

§ Continued sluggish global economic backdrop

§ Moderating dollar: -2% FX translation impact included in EPS forecast

§ Stabilizing energy markets with oil trading in a $50 to $60 range

§ Modest raw materials inflation offset by pricing by second half

§ Continued strong execution of Ecolab playbook resulting in:

· Another year of strong Global Industrial, Global Institutional and Other segment growth

· Improving Global Energy results

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 8

2017 Outlook

Focus

◢Drive strong execution

§ Maintain aggressive new business efforts

§ Continue strong innovation emphasis

§ Offset raw material inflation through pricing

◢  Fully capitalize on energy market improvement

◢Continue to drive supply chain efficiency programs to help drive ongoing margin improvement

◢Continue to fully fund innovation, digital and enterprise system investments

◢Capitalize on the right M&A opportunities

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 9

Appendix

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 10

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
(unaudited)	December 31				December 31
(millions, except percent)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net Sales
Reported GAAP net sales	$ 3,352.1		$ 3,412.0		$ 13,152.8		$ 13,545.1
Effect of foreign currency translation	(44.7)		(69.9)		(197.8)		(630.8)
Non-GAAP fixed currency sales	$ 3,307.4		$ 3,342.1		$ 12,955.0		$ 12,914.3
Cost of Sales
Reported GAAP cost of sales	$ 1,745.1		$ 1,831.7		$ 6,898.9		$ 7,223.5
Special (gains) and charges	4.1		45.2		66.0		80.6
Non-GAAP adjusted cost of sales	$ 1,741.0		$ 1,786.5		$ 6,832.9		$ 7,142.9
Gross Margin
Reported gross margin	47.9	%	46.3	%	47.5	%	46.7	%
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin	48.1	%	47.6	%	48.0	%	47.3	%
Operating Income
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP fixed currency operating income	$ 548.6		$ 311.6		$ 1,882.8		$ 1,432.2
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Special (gains) and charges	7.9		243.9		105.5		495.4
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income	564.8		566.7		2020.5		2,056.7
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income	$ 556.5		$ 555.5		$ 1,988.3		$ 1,927.6
Operating Income Margin
Reported GAAP operating income margin	16.6	%	9.5	%	14.6	%	11.5	%
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income margin	16.8	%	16.6	%	15.3	%	14.9	%

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 11

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
(unaudited)	December 31				December 31
(millions, except percent and per share)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net Income Attributable to Ecolab
Reported GAAP net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 366.3		$ 208.9		$ 1,229.6		$ 1,002.1
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	1.6		165.1		62.4		376.9
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.3		(7.3)		3.9		(63.3)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 368.2		$ 366.7		$ 1,295.9		$ 1,315.7
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to Ecolab ("EPS")
Reported GAAP diluted EPS	$ 1.24		$ 0.69		$ 4.14		$ 3.32
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	0.01		0.55		0.21		1.25
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.00		(0.02)		0.01		(0.21)
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS	$ 1.25		$ 1.22		$ 4.37		$ 4.37
Provision for Income Taxes
Reported GAAP tax rate	23.9	%	14.4	%	24.4	%	22.8	%
Special gains and charges	0.9		8.3		1.0		(0.4)
Discrete tax items	(0.1)		1.5		(0.2)		3.5
Non-GAAP adjusted tax rate	24.7	%	24.2	%	25.2	%	25.9	%
EBITDA (trailing twelve months ended)
Net income including non-controlling interest	$ 1,247.1		$ 1,017.2
Provision for income taxes	403.3		300.5
Interest expense, net	264.6		243.6
Depreciation	561.0		559.5
Amortization	289.7		300.0
EBITDA	$ 2,765.7		$ 2,420.8
Special (gains) and charges impacting EBITDA	105.5		495.4
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 2,871.2		$ 2,916.2

Please see Ecolab’s news release dated February 21, 2017 for additional information, including additional discussion on use of Non-GAAP financial measures. 12

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

ECOLAB FOURTH QUARTER 2016

4Q 2016 Overview

◢Earnings:

§ Reported diluted EPS $1.24, +80% versus last year; adjusted diluted EPS $1.25,  +2% versus last year

§ Reported and adjusted diluted EPS include $0.02  (2 percentage points)  impact from currency translation and Venezuela deconsolidation 

◢Sales:

§ Reported sales -2%; fixed currency and acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales -1%

§ Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segment acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales +4%, offset by an expected decline in Global Energy sales 

§ New business growth and new product introductions drove share gains

◢Operating Margin:

§ Reported operating margin +710 bps; adjusted fixed currency operating margin +20 bps 

§ Pricing, volume growth and cost savings initiatives in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments was offset by a decline in Global Energy

◢Outlook:

§ 2017: Adjusted diluted EPS of $4.70 to $4.90

§ 1Q: Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.77 to $0.83

SUMMARY

Continued attractive new business gains and new product introductions drove solid acquisition adjusted fixed currency growth in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments during the fourth quarter. These were offset by a moderating underlying sales decline in the Global Energy segment, though previously discussed one-time sales impacts in both this and last year resulted in a wider posted decrease for that business. Product innovation and ongoing cost efficiency work led the total company’s adjusted fixed currency

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operating margin expansion, more than offsetting the impact of soft economies, challenging end markets and continued currency headwinds. These drove the fourth quarter’s 2% adjusted earnings per share increase, which includes a 2 percentage point currency headwind. 

We expect to show strong earnings growth in 2017, significantly outperforming an environment that includes sluggish global economies and higher delivered product costs. We look for better year-on-year acquisition adjusted fixed currency growth in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments as they once again work aggressively to outpace their markets, leveraging investments we have made to further improve sales and service force effectiveness and profitability. We expect Global Energy to be modestly accretive to sales and earnings growth as it benefits from a more stable market. Further, we expect reduced currency translation headwinds this year. We believe our actions will lead to better growth and stronger comparisons in the second half of the year versus the first half for Ecolab in 2017, with forecasted adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $4.70 to $4.90 range this year, increasing 8% to 12%, including an unfavorable $0.07 per share (2 percentage point) currency translation impact to earnings.  

We look for first quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the $0.77 to $0.83 range.    

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HIGHLIGHTS

· Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share were $1.24.

· On an adjusted basis, excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items from both years, fourth quarter 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.25, and included a $0.02, or 2 percentage point, headwind from currency and the Venezuela deconsolidation. This compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.22 a year ago.  

· Consolidated acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales for our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments grew 4% but were offset by lower Global Energy sales. Regional fixed currency sales growth was led by Latin America.

· Reported operating margins increased 710 basis points. Adjusted fixed currency operating margins expanded 20 basis points as continued sales growth from the Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments, pricing and cost efficiencies offset lower Global Energy results.

· In 2016’s difficult operating environment, we focused on driving new business gains by helping customers to lower their costs. We used our industry-leading product innovation and service strengths to help customers achieve the best results and lowest operating costs, and through these aggressively drive new account gains across all of our segments.

· We expect 2017’s external environment to show continued sluggish economic growth, higher delivered product costs, reduced but still unfavorable currency translation effects and gradually improving fundamentals in the energy markets. We will again work aggressively to

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drive our growth, employing the same fundamental approach to our business: win new business using our innovative new products and a sharp focus on sales execution, and along with pricing and cost efficiencies, grow our top and bottom lines at improved rates.

· We expect this focus on top line growth and margin expansion will yield full year adjusted diluted earnings per share forecast in the $4.70 to $4.90 per share range in 2017, rising 8% to 12%.

· In summary, despite a very challenging global economic and market environment outlook, we expect to deliver strong adjusted diluted EPS growth in 2017.

VENEZUELA

As previously disclosed, Ecolab deconsolidated its Venezuela operations at year-end 2015. This change in accounting treatment, in which we stopped consolidating the results of our local Venezuelan operations in our 2016 financial statements, does not directly affect the local operations of our Venezuelan businesses. We continue to serve customers in Venezuela after the deconsolidation.  

Also as previously disclosed, the earnings per share impact of currency on growth rates versus 2015 includes the $0.15 per share effect of the Venezuela bolivar devaluation during 2015. The combined impact of the Venezuela bolivar devaluation and deconsolidation on adjusted earnings per share represents a total year-on-year 2016 headwind of approximately $0.17 per share.

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To provide useful period-to-period comparison of results, acquisition adjusted growth rates exclude the results of any acquired business from the first twelve months post-acquisition, exclude the results of divested  businesses from the previous twelve months prior to divestiture, and exclude the Venezuelan results of operations from both the current period and comparable period of the prior year.

SALES DISCUSSION

Consolidated sales	% Change
Volume & mix	-1%
Pricing	0%
Subtotal	-1%
Acq./Div.	0%
Fixed currency growth	-1%
Currency impact	-1%
Total	-2%

Amounts in the table may reflect rounding.

Ecolab’s consolidated reported sales for the fourth quarter decreased 2%. Consolidated fixed currency sales for the quarter decreased 1%. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales also declined 1% when compared to the year ago period. Looking at the growth components, volume and mix declined 1% and pricing was modestly positive. Acquisitions and divestitures were insignificant and currency was a negative 1%. 

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GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT

	Fixed Rate	Acq./Div. Adj.
Global Industrial	% Change	% Change
Food & Beverage	2%	2%
Water	1%	1%
Paper	5%	5%
Textile Care	4%	4%
Total Global Industrial	2%	2%

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Fourth quarter fixed currency Food & Beverage sales increased 2% as good corporate account wins and share gains offset generally flat industry trends and the comparison to a strong period last year. Globally, we enjoyed strong growth in our food and beverage and brew markets, with flat sales in dairy and a modest decline in agri. Regional fixed currency growth was strong in Latin America and Asia Pacific while Europe grew modestly and North America was slightly lower.

We have strengthened our North America sales team and the new business pipeline has improved, providing a stronger outlook for the region in 2017. Globally, Food & Beverage continues to drive growth using its enterprise selling approach to customers, in which we combine Ecolab’s industry-leading cleaning and sanitizing, water treatment and pest elimination capabilities to demonstrate our value through the delivery of improved food safety results, lower operating costs and enhanced product quality for customers. We look to more than offset the continued challenging industry conditions in the food and beverage industry with further customer penetration, new business capture and leverage from our strong innovation pipeline. We expect to show better

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growth in the first quarter, and improving growth comparisons as the year progresses. 

WATER

Fixed currency Water sales increased 1% compared to the prior year. Continued strong light industry growth led Water’s results as new products and service execution drove business gains. This was partially offset by moderately lower sales in the heavy and mining industries, where soft power trends and mine closures weighed on results.

Regionally, we saw strong fixed currency sales growth in Latin America and Middle East & Africa, modest growth in North America, and modest declines in Europe and Asia Pacific, led by China.

We continue to leverage our innovative solutions to help customers optimize water efficiency, improve operating results and lower costs. We also remain focused on strengthening our corporate account and enterprise sales teams, expanding our new accounts pipeline and continuing to invest in growth areas for our business. We expect a low single-digit sales increase in the first quarter from continued good gains in light industries and easing comparisons in heavy and mining, with better Water growth in subsequent quarters, as we deliver stronger growth in our Water business in 2017.

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PAPER

Fourth quarter fixed currency Paper sales increased 5%. Good growth in Latin America and North America, driven by strong sales efforts and business wins, more than offset declines in Asia Pacific and Europe.  

We continue to focus on maximizing results for our customers through minimizing water and optimizing their total cost in the growth segments of board and packaging, tissue and towel, and pulp. Paper expects to show modest growth in 2017 as it continues to globalize best practices and focus on delivering value through innovative solutions.    

GLOBAL INSTITUTIONAL SEGMENT

	Fixed Rate	Acq./Div. Adj.
Global Institutional	% Change	% Change
Institutional	4%	4%
Specialty	8%	8%
Healthcare	6%	6%
Total Global Institutional	5%	5%

INSTITUTIONAL

Fixed currency sales growth for the Institutional business was 4%. Global lodging demand continued to show modest growth while global full service restaurant industry foot traffic generally remained soft. Also impacting the quarter were the divestment of non-core Swisher business and the exit from some low or unprofitable business from that acquisition. Looking at our regional sales, North America and Latin America turned in solid fixed currency sales gains, while Europe rose modestly and Asia Pacific softened. New

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business wins, led by demand for our leading product innovation in key platforms, along with new products and pricing, drove our results.

We remain focused on delivering increased customer value, offering an increasing range of effective solutions that reduce our customers’ water, energy and labor costs, backed by superior on-site service. We expect investments in our advanced field technology, global sales and service force and innovation will drive future growth and further improve on our industry leadership position. We look for continued solid sales growth from Institutional in the first quarter and full year 2017, though the exit of some Swisher business will temper sales comparisons through the third quarter while also benefiting margins.

SPECIALTY

Fourth quarter sales for Specialty grew 8% in fixed currencies. Quickservice sales growth was strong as we continue to drive growth in our global accounts and as food safety gains greater focus among our customers. New business gains, increased service coverage, new products and additional customer solutions leveraged generally modest industry trends to drive the strong growth. The food retail business posted a solid gain, with the improved sales growth reflecting continued new customer additions and product introductions.

New account wins have been strong, and with our ongoing investments in new products, an expanded sales and service force and increased solutions for customers, we expect another good growth year in 2017. First quarter sales growth will likely be a bit slower, reflecting the timing of some customer

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rollouts, but we expect the balance of the year to deliver better comparisons and a strong full year performance.

HEALTHCARE

Fixed currency Healthcare sales were strong, rising 6% in the fourth quarter. We achieved strong growth in both North America and Europe as we continued our focus on executing the Ecolab value proposition offering innovative products and premium on-site service programs to the life science and acute care markets. Ecolab’s outcome-based programs are still a relatively new approach for the industry, and we are well positioned to capitalize on these trends. The improving sales traction and new business pipeline makes us confident in the long term growth potential for our business. Further, the recently completed acquisition of Anios should bolster our position in Europe and accelerate our international expansion.  We look for first quarter 2017 Healthcare sales to show further solid organic growth as the new business gains benefit results. 

GLOBAL ENERGY SEGMENT

	Fixed Rate	Acq./Div. Adj.
Global Energy	% Change	% Change
Energy	-14%	-14%

Fourth quarter fixed currency Global Energy segment sales decreased 14%,  in line with expectations, as industry operating conditions remained generally weak and the quarter’s comparison reflected the previously discussed impact of favorable one-time sales in 2015 and unfavorable customer business disruptions in 2016. Excluding these one-time impacts, the fourth quarter sales decline was similar to the third quarter. Revenues across Global

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Energy’s major business lines were flat when compared to the third quarter. Within our upstream businesses, the well stimulation business (representing less than 10% of Global Energy segment sales) recorded a decline versus last year (though it was also sequentially flat to the third quarter 2016) as a significant increase in sales of its drilling fluids was more than offset by continued lower well completion product sales. Our production business (which represents approximately 65% of Global Energy segment sales) also declined due to modest pricing reductions, lower customer product usage and customer business interruptions in the Middle East and Africa. Sales in downstream also declined due to lower pricing, customer turnarounds and one-time sales last year.

Oil service industry activity has begun to recover and we believe that demand will gradually improve in 2017. We look for full year 2017 Global Energy segment sales to be similar to 2016 with the second half outperforming the first, led by a recovery in the well stimulation business, with our production and downstream businesses expected to realize gradually improving comparisons through 2017 as pricing stabilizes and volumes improve. First quarter Global Energy segment sales are expected to see a narrowing year-on-year decline versus 2016, as modest growth in the well stimulation business and stable downstream results are more than offset by lower production sales. We continue to be aggressive, using both our industry-leading product innovation and our outstanding sales and service team to drive sales gains, as well as build our position for stronger growth this year and for the future.

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OTHER SEGMENT

	Fixed Rate	Acq./Div. Adj.
Other	% Change	% Change
Pest Elimination	9%	9%
Equipment Care	2%	2%
Total Other	7%	7%

PEST ELIMINATION

Fixed currency Pest Elimination sales were very strong, increasing 9% in the fourth quarter. Sales to food retail, hospitality, restaurant and F&B customersled the growth.Regionally, we enjoyed double-digit fixed currency growth in North America and Asia Pacific, with good growth in Europe and Latin America. We continue to drive market penetration, using innovative service offerings, new technologies and leading capabilities in our service offerings to address key customer needs and global trends. Additionally, we continue to make progress in globalizing our market-focused capabilities and field technologies.We expect Pest Elimination sales to show good growth in the first quarter led by gains in all markets.

EQUIPMENT CARE

Equipment Care sales grew 2% in the fourth quarter. As outlined in the third quarter discussion, fourth quarter 2016 results compared against a strong period last year. In addition, technician hiring delays (in part reflecting the industry’s tighter employment market) also impacted the quarter’s results. Productivity improvements from our technology and training investments and strong execution continue to help drive results. We also have several initiatives underway to increase technician staffing and retention. Demand remains strong, and we believe recent corporate account wins will provide a

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solid pipeline for good growth in the first quarter and improved gains through 2017.      

CONSOLIDATED MARGIN PERFORMANCE

($ millions, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Gross Profit	$ 1,607.0	47.9%	$ 1,580.3	46.3%	2	%

Fourth quarter gross margins were 47.9%. When adjusted for special charges, fourth quarter 2016 gross margins were 48.1% and rose 50 basis points above last year. The improvement was driven by cost savings and the decline in Global Energy (which on average has a lower gross profit margin). 

($ millions, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
SG&A	$ 1,046.3	31.2%	$ 1,058.8	31.0%	(1)	%

SG&A expenses represented 31.2% of fourth quarter sales and rose 20 basis points above last year, primarily reflecting investments in the business and the decline in Global Energy (which on average has a lower SG&A ratio). 

($ millions, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Consolidated Op. Inc.	$ 556.9	16.6%	$ 322.8	9.5%	73	%
Consolidated Fixed
Currency Op. Inc. (adj.)	$ 556.5	16.8%	$ 555.5	16.6%	0	%

Consolidated operating income margins were 16.6%. Adjusted for special charges, fixed currency operating income margins were 16.8%, rising 20 basis points over last year’s comparable margin. The margin expansion was driven by pricing, volume growth and cost savings initiatives in our Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments, which were partially offset by a decline in Global Energy results.  

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SEGMENT MARGIN PERFORMANCE

($ millions - fixed currency, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Global Industrial Op. Inc.	$ 203.2	16.9%	$ 196.2	16.7%	4	%

Fixed currency operating income for the Global Industrial segment increased 4%. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income grew 5% and margins increased 30 basis points to 16.9%. Improved volume and mix, pricing and cost savings initiatives more than offset modestly higher delivered product costs to drive the increase.

($ millions - fixed currency, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Global Institutional Op. Inc.	$ 258.8	22.7%	$ 224.9	20.6%	15	%

Fixed currency operating income for the Global Institutional segment increased 15%. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income grew 16% and margins increased 220 basis points to 23.0%. Pricing, sales volume gains and a significant increase in the Healthcare margin versus last year (which included the impact of a voluntary recall) more than offset investments in the business and modestly higher delivered product costs.

($ millions - fixed currency, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Global Energy Op. Inc.	$ 98.3	12.9%	$ 140.3	15.9%	(30)	%

Fixed currency Global Energy segment operating income decreased 30%.  Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income declined 29% and margins declined 270 basis points to 12.8%. The decrease reflected lower sales volume and reduced pricing, which more than offset cost reduction actions, delivered product cost savings and synergies.  

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($ millions - fixed currency, unaudited)	2016	% sales	2015	% sales	% change
Other Op. Inc.	$ 37.9	18.5%	$ 35.6	18.6%	6	%

Fixed currency operating income for the Other segment increased 6% as pricing and sales volume gains were partially offset by investments in the business and higher fleet-related costs in the quarter.  

($ millions, unaudited)	2016	2015
Corporate
Special Gains/(Charges)	($7.9)	($243.9)
Corp. Expense	(41.7)	(41.5)
Total Corporate Expense	($49.6)	($285.4)

Corporate segment expense includes amortization expense of $42 million in both the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 related to the Nalco merger intangible assets. Corporate expense also includes special gains and charges. Total special gains and charges for the fourth quarter of 2016 were insignificant on a net basis. Special gains and charges for the fourth quarter of 2015 were a net charge of $242 million ($165 million after-tax) and primarily consisted of a $123 million charge related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan business and $63 million related to restructuring costs. The remainder of the special gains and charges consisted primarily of an asset impairment and wage-hour litigation-related charges.

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TAX RATE, SHARES AND CONSOLIDATED INCOME

The reported income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2016 was 23.9%, compared with the reported rate of 14.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding the tax rate impact of the special gains and charges and discrete tax items, the adjusted tax rate was 24.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with 24.2% for the same period last year. The increase in our adjusted tax rate was primarily driven by the annualization of the research and development tax credit in 2016 compared with the prior year’s full recognition in the fourth quarter.

Ecolab did not repurchase any of its common stock during the fourth quarter.  

The net of this performance is that Ecolab reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.24 compared with $0.69 reported a year ago. When adjusted for special gains and charges and discrete tax items in both years, fourth quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.25 compared with $1.22 last year.

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BALANCE SHEET, CASH FLOW AND LEVERAGE

Summary Balance Sheet and Selected Balance Sheet Measures

(unaudited)	December 31
($ millions)	2016	2015
Cash and cash eq.	$ 327.4	$ 92.8
Accounts receivable, net	2,341.2	2,390.2
Inventories	1,319.4	1,388.2
Other current assets	291.4	576.3
PP&E, net	3,365.0	3,228.3
Goodwill and intangibles	10,200.8	10,600.0
Other assets	485.0	365.9
Total assets	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7
Short-term debt	$ 541.3	$ 2,205.3
Accounts payable	983.2	1,049.6
Other current liabilities	1,494.9	1,509.5
Long-term debt	6,145.7	4,260.2
Pension/Postretirement	1,019.2	1,117.1
Other liabilities	1,175.0	1,519.6
Total equity	6,970.9	6,980.4
Total liab. and equity	$ 18,330.2	$ 18,641.7

	December 31
(unaudited)	2016	2015
Total Debt/Total Capital	49.0%	48.1%
Net Debt/Total Capital	47.7%	47.7%
Net Debt/EBITDA	2.3	2.6
Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA	2.2	2.2
The inputs to EBITDA reflect the trailing twelve months of activity for the period presented.

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Selected Cash Flow items

	Twelve Months Ended
(unaudited)	December 31
($ millions)	2016	2015
Cash from op. activities	$ 1,939.7	$ 1,999.8
Depreciation	561.0	559.5
Amortization	289.7	300.0
Capital expenditures	707.4	771.0

Net debt to total capital was 48% at December 31, 2016, with the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio at 2.2 times. 

FORECAST

Looking ahead, we remain focused on driving superior fixed currency organic sales and earnings growth through the effective implementation of our successful Ecolab business model, which means offering the best products, backed by the best service, to yield the best results at the lowest total use cost to the customer. We will use this model, along with our well-developed corporate accounts and independent customer approach, to drive superior fixed currency organic growth in an environment that includes sluggish global economies and higher delivered product costs. We expect the Energy segment to show a better performance in 2017 with improving comparisons developing through the year as the energy markets gradually recover. While we are carefully watching our costs, we continue to make key long term investments in our growth model and critical support systems. We also continue to invest in key acquisitions that improve our competitive set for the future.  

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As a result of this focus on our fundamentals, we look for our first quarter Global Institutional, Global Industrial and Other segments to deliver good acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales growth, and expect a moderated Global Energy segment decline. We expect foreign currency to have an unfavorable $0.01 per share impact to earnings growth, and expect higher delivered product costs.  As a result, we expect first quarter adjusted earnings to be in the $0.77 to $0.83 range compared with $0.77 earned last year.  

We expect full year 2017 adjusted diluted earnings to be in the $4.70 to $4.90 per share range, increasing 8% to 12%.  Currency translation is expected to represent an unfavorable impact of approximately 1 percentage point on full year sales and an estimated $0.07 (2 percentage points to growth) unfavorable impact on diluted earnings per share.  We expect the second half of the year show better earnings growth comparisons than the first half. 

SUMMARY

In summary, we delivered on our forecast in the fourth quarter, while offsetting significant market and currency challenges and investing in our future. We will stay focused on driving fundamental growth in our businesses using new business wins, new products, pricing and cost efficiency. We expect to deliver attractive earnings per share growth in 2017 while continuing to make the right investments to sustain our future growth.  

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This communication contains forward looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future financial and business performance and prospects, including forecasted 2017 first quarter and full-year financial and business results, global economies, delivered product costs, energy market forecast, sales growth, performance against the market, innovation, investments, pricing, cost savings, foreign currency, and pending merger and acquisition opportunities. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent  Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and include the vitality of the markets we serve, including the impact of oil price fluctuations on the markets served by our Global Energy segment; the impact of economic factors such as the worldwide economy, capital flows, interest rates and  foreign currency risk, including  reduced sales and earnings in other countries resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar; our ability to attract and retain high caliber management talent to lead our business; our ability to execute key business initiatives; potential information technology infrastructure failures and cybersecurity attacks; exposure to global economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations; the costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations, including those relating to the

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environment and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products; the occurrence of litigation or claims, including related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; our ability to develop competitive advantages through innovation; difficulty in procuring raw materials or fluctuations in raw material costs; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to acquire complementary businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses; restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual obligations; pressure on operations from consolidation of customers, vendors or competitors; public health epidemics; potential losses arising from the impairment of goodwill or other assets; potential loss of deferred tax assets; changes in tax law and unanticipated tax liabilities; potential chemical spill or release; potential class action lawsuits;  the loss or insolvency of a major customer or distributor; acts of war or terrorism; natural or man-made disasters; water shortages; severe weather conditions; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

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Non-GAAP Financial Information

This discussion and certain of the accompanying tables include financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include:

· fixed currency sales

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales

· adjusted cost of sales

· adjusted gross margin

· fixed currency operating income

· fixed currency operating income margin

· adjusted operating income

· adjusted fixed currency operating income

· adjusted fixed currency operating income margin

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income

· acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income margin

· EBITDA

· adjusted EBITDA

· adjusted tax rate

· adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab

· adjusted diluted earnings per share

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our

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performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

Our non-GAAP financial measures for cost of sales, gross margin and operating income exclude the impact of special (gains) and charges, and our non-GAAP measures for tax rate, net income attributable to Ecolab and diluted earnings per share further exclude the impact of discrete tax items. We include items within special (gains) and charges and discrete tax items that we believe can significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and not necessarily reflect costs and/or income associated with historical trends and future results. After tax special (gains) and charges are derived by applying the applicable local jurisdictional tax rate to the corresponding pre-tax special (gains) and charges.

EBITDA is defined as the sum of net income including non-controlling interest, provision for income taxes, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the sum of EBITDA and special (gains) and charges impacting EBITDA. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are used as inputs to our net debt to EBITDA and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratios. We view these ratios as important indicators of the operational and financial health of our organization.

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We evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency rates of foreign exchange. Fixed currency amounts included in this supplemental discussion are based on translation into U.S. dollars at the fixed foreign currency exchange rates established by management at the beginning of 2016. Fixed currency amounts also reflect all Venezuelan bolivar operations, prior to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations, at a Marginal Currency System (“SIMADI”) rate of approximately 200 bolivares to 1 U.S. dollar, which was the approximate conversion rate for SIMADI at year end 2015.  

Acquisition adjusted growth rates exclude the results of our acquired businesses from the first twelve months post acquisition, exclude the results of our divested businesses from the twelve months prior to divestiture, and exclude the Venezuelan results of operations from both the current period and comparable period of the prior year.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure when evaluating our business. We recommend that investors view these measures in conjunction with the GAAP measures included in this supplemental discussion. Reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures are included in the following "Supplemental Non-GAAP Reconciliations" and “Supplemental Diluted Earnings per Share Information” tables included in the fourth quarter 2016 supplemental discussion.

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SUPPLEMENTAL NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

(unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
(unaudited)	December 31				December 31
(millions, except percent)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net Sales
Reported GAAP net sales	$ 3,352.1		$ 3,412.0		$ 13,152.8		$ 13,545.1
Effect of foreign currency translation	(44.7)		(69.9)		(197.8)		(630.8)
Non-GAAP fixed currency sales	$ 3,307.4		$ 3,342.1		$ 12,955.0		$ 12,914.3
Cost of Sales
Reported GAAP cost of sales	$ 1,745.1		$ 1,831.7		$ 6,898.9		$ 7,223.5
Special (gains) and charges	4.1		45.2		66.0		80.6
Non-GAAP adjusted cost of sales	$ 1,741.0		$ 1,786.5		$ 6,832.9		$ 7,142.9
Gross Margin
Reported gross margin	47.9	%	46.3	%	47.5	%	46.7	%
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin	48.1	%	47.6	%	48.0	%	47.3	%
Operating Income
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP fixed currency operating income	$ 548.6		$ 311.6		$ 1,882.8		$ 1,432.2
Reported GAAP operating income	$ 556.9		$ 322.8		$ 1,915.0		$ 1,561.3
Special (gains) and charges	7.9		243.9		105.5		495.4
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income	564.8		566.7		2020.5		2,056.7
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8.3)		(11.2)		(32.2)		(129.1)
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income	$ 556.5		$ 555.5		$ 1,988.3		$ 1,927.6
Operating Income Margin
Reported GAAP operating income margin	16.6	%	9.5	%	14.6	%	11.5	%
Non-GAAP adjusted fixed currency operating income margin	16.8	%	16.6	%	15.3	%	14.9	%

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SUPPLEMENTAL NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

(unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter Ended				Twelve Months Ended
(unaudited)	December 31				December 31
(millions, except percent and per share)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net Income Attributable to Ecolab
Reported GAAP net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 366.3		$ 208.9		$ 1,229.6		$ 1,002.1
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	1.6		165.1		62.4		376.9
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.3		(7.3)		3.9		(63.3)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab	$ 368.2		$ 366.7		$ 1,295.9		$ 1,315.7
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to Ecolab ("EPS")
Reported GAAP diluted EPS	$ 1.24		$ 0.69		$ 4.14		$ 3.32
Special (gains) and charges, after tax	0.01		0.55		0.21		1.25
Discrete tax net expense (benefit)	0.00		(0.02)		0.01		(0.21)
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS	$ 1.25		$ 1.22		$ 4.37		$ 4.37
Provision for Income Taxes
Reported GAAP tax rate	23.9	%	14.4	%	24.4	%	22.8	%
Special gains and charges	0.9		8.3		1.0		(0.4)
Discrete tax items	(0.1)		1.5		(0.2)		3.5
Non-GAAP adjusted tax rate	24.7	%	24.2	%	25.2	%	25.9	%
EBITDA (trailing twelve months ended)
Net income including non-controlling interest	$ 1,247.1		$ 1,017.2
Provision for income taxes	403.3		300.5
Interest expense, net	264.6		243.6
Depreciation	561.0		559.5
Amortization	289.7		300.0
EBITDA	$ 2,765.7		$ 2,420.8
Special (gains) and charges impacting EBITDA	105.5		495.4
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 2,871.2		$ 2,916.2

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SUPPLEMENTAL DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION

(unaudited)

The table below provides a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share, as reported, to the non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share.

	First	Second	Six	Third	Nine	Fourth
	Quarter	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Year
	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended
	Mar. 31	June 30	June 30	Sept. 30	Sept. 30	Dec. 31	Dec. 31
	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (U.S. GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 1.00	$ 1.77	$ 0.86	$ 2.63	$ 0.69	$ 3.32
Adjustments:
Special (gains) and charges (1)	0.02	0.20	0.22	0.48	0.70	0.55	1.25
Discrete tax expense (benefits) (2)	0.01	(0.13)	(0.12)	(0.06)	(0.19)	(0.02)	(0.21)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)	$ 0.80	$ 1.08	$ 1.87	$ 1.28	$ 3.15	$ 1.22	$ 4.37

	First	Second	Six	Third	Nine	Fourth
	Quarter	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Months	Quarter	Year
	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended	Ended
	Mar. 31	June 30	June 30	Sept. 30	Sept. 30	Dec. 31	Dec. 31
	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016	2016
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (U.S. GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 0.87	$ 1.64	$ 1.27	$ 2.91	$ 1.24	$ 4.14
Adjustments:
Special (gains) and charges (3)	0.01	0.19	0.21	0.00	0.20	0.01	0.21
Discrete tax expense (benefits) (4)	(0.02)	0.01	(0.00)	0.02	0.01	0.00	0.01
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)	$ 0.77	$ 1.08	$ 1.85	$ 1.28	$ 3.12	$ 1.25	$ 4.37

Per share amounts do not necessarily sum due to changes in shares outstanding and rounding.

(1) Special (gains) and charges for 2015 included restructuring charges of $1.6 million, $14.6 million, $10.0 million and $49.3 million, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included $3.2 million, $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million of costs, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Champion integration costs. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included $0.5 million, $0.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.1 million of costs, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Nalco integration costs. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also include charges of $30.2 million, $124.6 million, $80.9 million, net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to Venezuelan charges. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included a charge of $15.4 million, net of tax, in the fourth quarter related to a fixed asset impairment. Special (gains) and charges for 2015 also included charges of $13.4 million, $7.8 million and $17.1 million, net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, primarily related to litigation related charges, a loss on the sale of a portion of our Ecovation business and the net impact of inventory reserve and inventory cost policy harmonization efforts.

(2) The first quarter 2015 discrete tax items net expenses of $2.6 million were driven primarily by a change to a deferred tax liability resulting from the Naperville facility transaction. The second quarter 2015 discrete tax items net benefits of $39.4 million were driven primarily from our ability to recognize a worthless stock deduction for the tax basis in a wholly owned domestic subsidiary. The third quarter 2015 discrete tax items net benefits of $19.2 million were driven primarily by the release of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets and a refund claim for taxes paid in a prior period resulting from updated IRS regulations, offset partially by recognizing adjustments from filing our 2014 U.S. federal income tax return. The fourth quarter discrete tax items net benefits of $7.3 million were driven primarily by the finalization of prior year IRS audits, valuation allowance releases and other statute of limitation tax reserve releases.

(3) Special (gains) and charges for 2016 included restructuring charges of $1.8 million, net of tax in the first quarter, and gains related to restructuring of  $1.9 million, $7.2 million, $3.5 million net of tax, in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a charge of $42.9 million and $7.1 million net of tax, during the second and fourth quarters, respectively, associated with the downturn in the global energy market. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a charge of $6.3 million, net of tax, during the second quarter related to other fixed asset impairments and inventory charges. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a gain of $4.6 million, net of tax, during the fourth quarter of 2016, related to inventory cost policy harmonization efforts, initiated in 2015. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included a gain of $4.9 million, net of tax, during the second quarter related to the recovery of previously written off Venezuelan intercompany receivables. Special (gains) and charges for 2016 also included $2.6 million, $14.6 million, $6.6 million and $2.6 million, net of tax, in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, related to other charges, including litigation related charges.

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(4) The first quarter 2016 discrete tax items net benefits of $4.8 million were driven primarily by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to expiration of statute of limitations in non-U.S. jurisdictions. The second quarter 2016 discrete tax items net expenses of $3.9 million were driven by individually immaterial items, including adjustments to deferred tax asset and liability positions. The third quarter 2016 discrete tax items net expenses of $4.5 million were driven primarily by recognizing adjustments from filing our 2015 U.S. federal income tax return, partially offset by settlement of international tax matters and remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the application of an updated tax rate in an international jurisdiction. The fourth quarter discrete tax items net expenses of $0.3 million were driven by individually immaterial items, including tax charges related to optimizing our business structure and settlement of international tax matters, partially offset by valuation allowance releases and other adjustments.

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