Market Analysis by covering: Becton Dickinson and Co, Stepan Company, H2O America. Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com ...

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) will issue its fourth quarter 2025 earnings results on Monday, February 23, 2026 at approximately 7:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. CT). Supporting slides will be posted at approximately the same time on the Investors/Presentations page at www.stepan.com. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss and answer questions about its financial and operational performance on the same day at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT). The call will be hosted ...

Core Insights - Stepan Company (SCL) has completed the sale of its manufacturing assets in Lake Providence, LA, as part of its ongoing footprint optimization strategy aimed at improving efficiency and focusing on core growth opportunities [1][7] - The divestiture follows the sale of Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. (SPQI) to Masurf, Inc., which includes a tolling agreement to continue servicing SPQI customers in Southeast Asia [2][7] - These transactions reflect Stepan's disciplined approach to reallocating resources towards higher-return businesses and regions, enhancing operational efficiency and margins [3][7] Financial Performance - SCL's shares have decreased by 26.8% over the past year, compared to a 26.1% decline in the industry [5] - The financial terms of the recent transactions were not disclosed, but they are part of a strategy to exit non-core manufacturing locations [3][7] Market Position - SCL currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while competitors like Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) have higher rankings of 1 (Strong Buy) [6][7] - KGC's current-year earnings estimate is $1.67 per share, indicating a 145.59% increase, while AEM's estimate is $2.01 per share, reflecting a 59.52% rise [8]

Core Viewpoint - Stepan Company has announced an agreement to sell its manufacturing assets in Lake Providence, LA, as part of its ongoing efforts to optimize its footprint and focus on core growth opportunities [1] Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale follows a recent divestiture of a plant in the Philippines, indicating a strategic shift towards optimizing operations [1] - The transaction is subject to normal closing conditions and is expected to close before the end of the year, pending the completion of due diligence [1] - Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed [1] Group 2: Company Profile - Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, particularly known for its surfactants used in cleaning and disinfection products, as well as in agricultural and oilfield solutions [1] - The company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols for the thermal insulation market and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries [1] - Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan operates modern production facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia [1]

Core Insights - Stepan Company (SCL) has completed the sale of its subsidiary Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. (SPQI) to Masurf, Inc., a subsidiary of Musim Mas Holdings Pte. Ltd. [1][8] - The transaction aligns with SPQI's previously announced Asset Transfer Agreement, allowing Stepan to focus on its core operations while entering into a tolling agreement with Masurf to continue servicing SPQI customers in Southeast Asia [2][3][8] - The company expressed confidence in SPQI's performance under Masurf's management and the contributions of the local team in the Philippines [4] Financial Performance - SCL's shares have decreased by 40.7% over the past year, compared to a 25.5% decline in the industry [6] - The Zacks Rank for SCL is currently 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [7] - In contrast, other companies in the Basic Materials sector, such as Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC), Fortuna Mining Corp. (FSM), and Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY), have shown stronger performance with significant share price increases over the past year [7][9]

Core Insights - Stepan Company successfully closed the sale of its subsidiary, Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. (SPQI), to Masurf, Inc., a subsidiary of Musim Mas Holdings Pte. Ltd., on November 14, 2025, as part of its strategic focus on core growth assets [1][2] - The transaction includes a tolling agreement with Masurf to ensure continued service for SPQI customers in Southeast Asia, highlighting Stepan's commitment to maintaining customer relationships [1][2] - Stepan's President and CEO emphasized the importance of this transaction in positioning the company for future success and expressed gratitude to the Philippines team for their contributions over the past three decades [2] Company Profile - Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, particularly known for its surfactants used in cleaning, disinfection, and agricultural solutions [3] - The company also supplies polyurethane polyols for the thermal insulation market and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries [3] - Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan operates a global network of modern production facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia [4]

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Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2025 increased by $43.4 million, or 8%, compared to the same period in 2024, driven by higher average selling prices and increased sales volume in Polymers and Specialty Products[94]. - Net income for the third quarter of 2025 was $10.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, down from $23.6 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024[93]. - EBITDA for the third quarter of 2025 was $56.1 million, reflecting a 6% increase from $53.0 million in the same quarter of 2024[93]. - Total net sales for Q3 2025 were $590.3 million, an increase of $43.4 million or 8% compared to Q3 2024[101]. - Operating income for the total company decreased by $2.2 million, or 9%, to $21.8 million in Q3 2025[101]. - Adjusted net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $42.2 million, compared to $47.7 million for the same period in 2024[172]. - Net income for the first nine months of 2025 was $41.9 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, compared to $47.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, in the same period of 2024[121]. Segment Performance - Surfactants accounted for 72% of consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2025, while Polymers and Specialty Products accounted for 25% and 3%, respectively[87][88][89]. - Surfactants segment net sales increased by $39.6 million, or 10%, driven by higher average selling prices, which contributed $41.4 million[102]. - Polymers segment net sales decreased by $5.9 million, or 4%, primarily due to lower average selling prices impacting sales by $21.3 million[110]. - Specialty Products segment net sales increased by $9.7 million, or 68%, compared to the prior year[101]. - Specialty Products net sales increased by $15.0 million, or 32 percent, due to higher average selling prices and a 14 percent increase in sales volume[148]. - Surfactant net sales for the first nine months of 2025 increased by $110.8 million, or 10%, with higher average selling prices contributing $129.4 million to this increase[131]. Operating Income and Expenses - Operating income for the third quarter of 2025 decreased by $2.1 million, or 9%, compared to the third quarter of 2024, with declines in Surfactant and Polymer operating incomes[95]. - Surfactants operating income fell by $10.6 million, or 40%, with gross profit decreasing by $9.5 million, or 19%[106]. - Polymer operating income in Q3 2025 decreased by $1.1 million, or 8%, compared to Q3 2024, with gross profit down by $0.9 million, or 4%[114]. - Research and development expenses increased by $0.7 million, or 5%, year-over-year[98]. - Corporate expenses decreased by $3.7 million, or 17%, year-over-year, primarily due to the non-recurrence of prior year charges related to an external fraud event[95]. Tax and Interest - The effective tax rate rose to 34.4% in Q3 2025 from a negative 10.7% in Q3 2024, primarily due to an unfavorable provision-to-return adjustment[98]. - Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2025 increased by $3.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to lower capitalized interest income[96]. Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash and cash equivalents increased by $18.9 million compared to December 31, 2024, totaling $118.5 million as of September 30, 2025[152]. - Cash used for capital expenditures was $87.9 million in the first nine months of 2025, with total capital expenditures estimated to be between $118.0 million and $123.0 million for the year[156]. - Operating activities generated a cash source of $87.9 million for the first nine months of 2025, compared to $93.8 million for the same period in 2024[151]. Debt and Financial Position - Consolidated balance sheet debt increased by $30.1 million, from $625.4 million on December 31, 2024, to $655.5 million on September 30, 2025, primarily due to the issuance of $75.0 million of senior unsecured notes[159]. - Net debt was $537.0 million on September 30, 2025, compared to $525.7 million at December 31, 2024, with a net debt to net debt plus shareholders' equity ratio of 30.1%[160]. - The Company maintains a credit agreement providing for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million, maturing on June 24, 2027[161]. - The Company's net debt to net debt plus equity ratio improved to 30% as of September 30, 2025, compared to 31% at the end of 2024[176]. Environmental and Legal Matters - Environmental expenditures for capital projects were $7.2 million for the first nine months of 2025, compared to $7.0 million for the same period in 2024[166]. - The Company accrued an additional $1.8 million for remediation expenses in the second quarter of 2025 due to a change in the scope of planned remediation activities[167]. - The Company's environmental and legal accruals totaled $19.4 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $20.0 million at December 31, 2024[167]. Market Risks - There have been no material changes to the market risks as described in the Company's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K[177].

Core Insights - SouthernSun Asset Management's "SouthernSun Small Cap Strategy" reported an 11.73% gross return in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Index and Russell 2000 Value Index which returned 12.39% and 12.60% respectively [1] - Over the trailing twelve months, the strategy returned -0.66% gross, significantly lower than the indexes which returned 10.76% and 7.88% [1] Company Performance - Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) was highlighted as a detractor in the Small Cap strategy, with a one-month return of -11.30% and a 52-week loss of 47.82% [2][3] - As of November 4, 2025, Stepan Company's stock closed at $42.31, with a market capitalization of $956.902 million [2] - The company is focusing on growing its functional surfactants for agriculture and oilfield markets, but faced a 1% decline in overall surfactant segment volumes due to weakness in commodity consumer product markets [3] - The Polymer segment saw a 7% increase in volumes, driven by strong demand in North American and European rigid polyols markets [3] - Stepan Company generated $197 million in trailing 12-month EBITDA, with expectations to reach $60 million quarterly as market conditions improve [3] - The company ended the second quarter with a net debt to trailing 12-month EBITDA ratio of 2.9x, which is expected to decrease as heavy investments conclude [3] - Luis Rojo, promoted to CEO in October 2024, has been recognized for effectively executing the business strategy [3] - Stepan Company is acknowledged as an industry leader in developing new products and maintaining long-term customer relationships, which are anticipated to provide steady cash flow [3]