Ecolab $ECL (+0,57 %) posted higher sales in the fourth quarter, lifted by increased prices and new business, especially in its institutional and specialty division.

The water, hygiene and infection-prevention services company had a fourth-quarter profit of $405.2 million, or $1.41 a share, up from $264.4 million, or 93 cents a share, in the same quarter a year earlier.

Stripping out one-time items, adjusted earnings were $1.55 a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $1.54 a share.

Sales rose 7% to $3.94 billion. Analysts expected $3.75 billion.

Constant-currency sales in its industrial business rose 3%, while the same figure rose 13% in the Institutional and Specialty division, lifted by higher prices and new business.