Few stocks escaped the marketwide sell-off in October -- not even blue chip conglomerate Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) . Following the release of third-quarter 2018 earnings results and management's forecast for persistent headwinds as the business enters the final months of the year, investors might be wondering what to expect in the short term. Baker told investors in the press release that the business is strong and that competitive advantages remain in place, but there just aren't enough days left in 2018 to offset stubborn inflationary pressures in raw material and transportation costs.