Westlake(US:WLK) ZACKS·2025-08-12 16:31Core Insights - Westlake Corporation (WLK) reported a loss of $142 million or $1.11 per share for Q2 2025, a significant decline from a profit of $313 million or $2.40 per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Adjusted loss per share was 9 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 6 cents [1] Financial Performance - Sales decreased by approximately 7.9% year over year to $2,953 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,039.3 million [2] - The decline in sales was attributed to lower sales volumes due to planned turnarounds, unplanned plant outages, and lower average sales prices [2] - The Performance and Essential Materials segment saw sales drop around 10.9% year over year to $1,793 million, with a loss from operations of $318 million compared to an income of $157 million in Q2 2024 [3] - The Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) segment generated sales of $1,160 million, down about 2.8% from the previous year, with income from operations decreasing by $44 million [4] Cash Flow and Financial Position - Operating activities generated $135 million in net cash during Q2 2025, while capital expenditures were $267 million, resulting in a free cash outflow of $132 million [5] - As of June 30, 2025, the company had approximately $2.09 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with total debt amounting to $4.65 billion [5] Future Outlook - Westlake anticipates operational improvements in the second half of 2025 as production at chlorovinyls facilities normalizes, despite challenges from weak global demand and high feedstock and energy costs [6] - The company is implementing cost-cutting measures aimed at saving $150-$175 million in 2025 and an additional $200 million by 2026 [6] - Planned facility closures and efficiency measures are expected to enhance profitability in 2026, supported by a broad product range and strong market position [6]