Dow Q1 Exceeds EPS, Faces Revenue Drop

Core Insights - Dow Inc. reported first-quarter 2025 earnings that exceeded analysts' expectations, with adjusted EPS of $0.02 compared to an expected loss of $0.01, although revenue declined 3% year over year to $10.4 billion [1][2][5] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS for Q1 2025 was $0.02, down 96.4% from $0.56 in Q1 2024 [3] - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $10.43 billion, slightly above the forecast of $10.24 billion but down 3.1% from $10.77 billion in Q1 2024 [3] - Net income for Q1 2025 was a loss of $290 million, compared to a profit of $538 million in Q1 2024 [3] - Adjusted operating EBIT fell to $230 million, a 66% decrease from $674 million in Q1 2024 [3] Business Overview - Dow operates in the materials science industry with a presence in 30 countries, focusing on segments like Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Performance Materials & Coatings, and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure [4] - The company emphasizes innovation and sustainability, targeting high-growth markets such as packaging and mobility [4] Segment Performance - The Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment experienced a 2% revenue drop, despite a 4% increase in volume due to higher licensing and hydrocarbon sales [6] - Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure faced a 5% revenue decline and reported an operating EBIT loss of $128 million, primarily due to high energy costs [6] - Performance Materials & Coatings saw a 4% sales drop but achieved an $8 million operating EBIT improvement through reduced fixed costs [6] Strategic Initiatives - Dow has delayed its Path2Zero ethylene complex project in Alberta, Canada, to align spending with market conditions and has initiated cost-saving measures contributing approximately $6 billion in total cash support [7] - The company completed the sale of its flexible packaging laminating adhesive business to Arkema, marking a strategic optimization of its asset base [8] Future Outlook - Dow plans to continue its disciplined execution strategy and expand strategic partnerships while enhancing its focus on sustainable solutions [9] - The company aims to navigate pricing strategies, geopolitical factors, and sustainability advancements to strengthen its competitive position [9]