Ecolab Inc (ECL) has reported 9.84 percent rise in profit for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2017. The company has earned $253.50 million, or $0.86 a share in the quarter, compared with $230.80 million, or $0.77 a share for the same period last year. On the other hand, adjusted net income for the quarter stood at $235.90 million, or $0.80 a share compared with $230.40 million or $0.77 a share, a year ago.

Revenue during the quarter went up marginally by 2.07 percent to $3,161.60 million from $3,097.40 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 83 basis points over the previous year period to 46.50 percent. Total expenses were 88.19 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 88.01 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 19 basis points in operating margin to 11.81 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $373.30 million, compared with $371.50 million in the previous year period.

Commenting on the quarter, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolabs chairman and chief executive officer said, "The first quarter was a mixed start to what will be a good year. Earnings were in line with our expectations and Energy saw much better results. Sales improved in our Institutional, Industrial and Other segments, though not as much as expected, particularly in Institutional. Profits benefited from new product innovation and cost savings, but were partially offset by higher than forecast delivered product costs (which included a previously discussed $0.04 per share unfavorable currency hedge year-on-year comparison, representing a 5 percentage point negative impact to EPS growth).

For the second-quarter 2017, On an adjusted basis, the company forecasts diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.08 to $1.15.

For financial year 2017, the company forecasts diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $4.70 to $4.90 on adjusted basis.