This Blue-Chip Stock Just Slashed Its Dividend by 50%. Should You Run Away Now?

The chemicals sector has been under pressure lately. Global demand is weak, and feedstock and energy costs remain high, squeezing margins for petrochemical makers. Amid this pressure, LyondellBasell (LYB), a heavyweight in chemicals, just announced a surprise dividend cut. The board declared a quarterly payout of $0.69, down from $1.37 in Q4 2025, about a 50% reduction. That move reflects one of the longest downturns in the industry. For income investors, halving the payout is jarring. Let's dig into wha ...