Ecolab Inc. has reported a 23% rise in fourth-quarter earnings, citing strong global demand and improved profitability across its U.S. businesses. The St. Paul, MN-based company however, said that currency translation will cut into first-quarter results, which weighed on Ecolab’s shares, closing down 1.2% at $34.60. The company a profit of $70.7 million (27 cents a share) up from $57.5 million (22 cents), from the same period a year earlier. Quarterly sales were up 6%, to $1.14 ...