Operating
Change in Inventories
Ecolab Change in Inventories increased by 163.9% to $47.30M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 31.5%, from $69.10M to $47.30M. Over 2 years (FY 2022 to FY 2025), Change in Inventories shows a downward trend with a -69.9% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
StatementCash Flow Statement
SectionOperating
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026May 7, 2026
How to read this metric
A decrease is often positive as it signals efficient inventory turnover and cash release, provided it does not lead to stockouts.
Detailed definition
This metric tracks the change in the value of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods held by the company. A...
Peer comparison
Highly dependent on industry; manufacturing and device companies typically maintain higher inventory levels than software firms.
Metric ID:
change_in_inventoriesHistorical Data
17 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $57.60M | $94.80M | $156.00M | $134.90M | $17.20M | -$70.60M | -$80.30M | -$115.50M | -$53.90M | $65.50M | $26.80M | $71.30M | $69.10M | $7.80M | -$39.30M | -$74.00M | $47.30M |
| QoQ Change | — | +64.6% | +64.6% | -13.5% | -87.2% | -510.5% | -13.7% | -43.8% | +53.3% | +221.5% | -59.1% | +166.0% | -3.1% | -88.7% | -603.8% | -88.3% | +163.9% |
| YoY Change | — | — | +170.8% | — | — | -174.5% | -151.5% | -185.6% | -413.4% | +192.8% | +133.4% | +161.7% | +5.5% | -70.9% | -155.1% | — | -31.5% |
Range-$115.50M – $156.00M
CAGR-4.8%
Avg YoY Growth-43.2%
Median YoY Growth-51.2%
Change in Inventories at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ecolab's change in inventories?
- Ecolab (ECL) reported change in inventories of $47.30M in Q1 2026.
- How has Ecolab's change in inventories changed year-over-year?
- Ecolab's change in inventories decreased by 31.5% year-over-year, from $69.10M to $47.30M.
- What is the long-term trend for Ecolab's change in inventories?
- Over 2 years (2022 to 2025), Ecolab's change in inventories has grown at a -69.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $402.90M to -$36.40M.
- What does change in inventories mean?
- The change in the value of products and materials held in stock.