Celanese Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Decline Y/Y

Core Insights - Celanese Corporation (CE) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 earnings from continuing operations of 23 cents per share, a significant improvement from a loss of $17.55 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings were 67 cents per share, down 49.6% from $1.33 a year ago, and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents [1][9]. Financial Performance - Revenues for the quarter were $2,204 million, a decrease of approximately 7% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,229.9 million. The decline was attributed to reduced volumes and prices, driven by year-end destocking and a competitive environment [2]. - The Engineered Materials unit reported net sales of $1,277 million, up about 0.6% year over year, exceeding the estimate of $1,196.7 million. This segment generated an operating profit of $111 million and an adjusted EBIT of $183 million [3]. - The Acetyl Chain segment saw net sales of $940 million, down roughly 15.3% year over year, missing the estimate of $1,035.1 million. It generated an operating profit of $90 million and an adjusted EBIT of $146 million [4]. - Celanese ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,263 million, down approximately 12.3% sequentially. Long-term debt decreased by 2.2% sequentially to $11,394 million. Cash provided by operating activities was $252 million, with free cash flow at $160 million [5]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates volume improvements in the first quarter due to seasonality and ongoing cost reduction initiatives, projecting first-quarter adjusted earnings per share to be between 70 cents and 85 cents [6]. - Management is focused on generating cash flow to accelerate deleveraging, intensifying cost improvements, and driving top-line growth, with a target for 2026 free cash flow set at $650 to $750 million [7]. Market Performance - Celanese's shares have increased by 6.5% over the past year, compared to a 4.4% rise in the industry [8].