Cleaning, food safety and pest-control services company Ecolab Inc. said Thursday it raised its quarterly cash dividend by 14 percent, to 20 cents from 17.5 cents.
The company said it will pay its next dividend Jan. 17 to shareholders of record on Dec. 20.
Earlier in the day Ecolab said it completed its $5.6 billion acquisition of water treatment company Nalco Holding Co. The company's shares fell 2.5 percent to $55.62 during Thursday trading, and in aftermarket trading, the stock rose 4 cents to $55.66.
