Stocks for the Long Run: Ecolab vs. the S&P 500

Investing isn't easy. Even Warren Buffett counsels that most investors should invest in a low-cost index like the S&P 500. He says that way "you'll be buying into a wonderful industry, which in effect is all of American industry."

But there are, of course, companies whose long-term fortunes differ substantially from the index. In this series, we look at how individual stocks have performed against the broad S&P 500.

Step on up, Ecolab (NYS: ECL) .

Ecolab shares have crushed the S&P 500 over the last quarter-century, with most of the outperformance coming in the last decade:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Since 1987, shares have returned an average of 14.9% a year, compared with 9.7% a year for the S&P (both include dividends). That difference adds up fast. One thousand dollars invested in the S&P in 1987 would be worth $19,200 today. In Ecolab, it'd be worth $85,700.

Dividends accounted for a lot of those gains. Compounded since 1987, dividends have made up about half of Ecolab's total returns. For the S&P, dividends account for 39% of total returns.

Now have a look at how Ecolab earnings compare with S&P 500 earnings:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Again, big outperformance. Since 1995, earnings per share have increased by an average of 11.6% per year, compared with 6% annual growth for the broader index.

What's that meant for valuations? Ecolab has traded for an average of 26 times earnings since 1987 -- a hair above the 24 times earnings of the broader S&P 500.

Through it all, shares have been strong performers over the last quarter-century.

Of course, the important question is whether that will continue. That's where you come in. Our CAPS community currently ranks Ecolab with a four-star rating (out of five). Do you disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, or add Ecolab to My Watchlist.

The article Stocks for the Long Run: Ecolab vs. the S&P 500 originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributorMorgan Houseldoesn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article. Follow him on Twitter @TMFHousel.The Motley Fool owns shares of Ecolab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

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