Group 1 - Stepan Company announced the appointment of Ruben Velasquez as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective July 15, 2025, succeeding Samuel Hinrichsen [1] - Mr. Velasquez has over two decades of global finance leadership experience across various industries, including industrial conglomerates and oil and gas [3] - The company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, leading in surfactants and polyurethane polyols for various markets [3][4] Group 2 - Stepan Company is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, and operates modern production facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia [4] - The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SCL [4]

Group 1 - Cabot Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share on all outstanding shares of its common stock, payable on September 11, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 29, 2025 [1] - Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, providing a range of products including reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, and more [2] Group 2 - The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CBT [2]

Core Insights - Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC) reported a 4.0% increase in consolidated net sales for Q3 fiscal 2025, reaching $21.51 million compared to $20.69 million in Q3 fiscal 2024, driven by demand for ZERUST® industrial products despite geopolitical tensions [4][6][20] - The company continues to invest in its ZERUST® oil and gas business, expecting sequential growth in sales and profitability in Q4 fiscal 2025 and into fiscal 2026, with cumulative sales of $24 million over the past 13 quarters [2][3] - NTIC is monitoring European economic stimulus packages, particularly in Germany, which may positively impact joint venture operating income [3] Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2025, increased by 0.3% to $61.92 million from $61.71 million in the same period last year [4][20] - ZERUST® industrial net sales rose by 7.1% to $14.44 million, while ZERUST® oil and gas net sales decreased by 5.3% to $1.29 million [5][6] - Gross profit margin increased by 20 basis points to 38.4%, while operating expenses rose by 7.6% to $9.67 million [6][7] Income and Earnings - Net income attributable to NTIC for Q3 fiscal 2025 was $122,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, down from $977,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, in Q3 fiscal 2024 [9][21] - Year-to-date net income attributable to NTIC was $1.12 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to $3.57 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the same period last year [9][21] - Non-GAAP adjusted net income for Q3 fiscal 2025 was $228,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to $1.08 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the same quarter last fiscal year [10][25] Joint Ventures and Investments - NTIC's joint venture operating income decreased by 12.9% to $2.27 million in Q3 fiscal 2025, primarily due to lower sales and reduced equity income from joint ventures [7][20] - The company had $27.14 million in investments in joint ventures as of May 31, 2025, with $13.50 million in cash [12][18] Balance Sheet Highlights - As of May 31, 2025, NTIC had working capital of $21.66 million, including $6.77 million in cash and cash equivalents [11][18] - Total assets increased to $99.30 million from $94.68 million as of August 31, 2024 [18][19]

Core Viewpoint - Innospec Inc. has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing significant progress in sustainability commitments, growth, innovation, and community engagement [1][2]. Company Overview - Innospec Inc. is an international specialty chemicals company with approximately 2,450 employees across 22 countries, providing a wide range of specialty chemicals for various markets [3]. Sustainability Achievements - A 23% reduction in scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since the baseline year of 2014 [5] - Avoided CO₂e emissions of 20.8 million metric tons through the use of fuel additives, which is over 200 times Innospec's own operational emissions [5] - Completion of product carbon footprint assessments for over 90 products, enhancing insights into GHG reduction efforts [5] - US$47.8 million spent on Research & Technology, resulting in a 22% increase in total patent filings [5] - A total social value of $791,000 delivered in 2024, benefiting 210 global charities and local good causes [5] - Over $1.6 million raised and 3,889 volunteer hours contributed through the Innospec Cares program since its launch in 2016 [5] - Launch of two new social partnerships: one with International Justice Mission (IJM) to combat modern slavery in the palm industry and another with UNESCO to support Indigenous STEM education in Brazil [5] - EcoVadis Gold rating for sustainability management practices maintained for the fourth consecutive time [5] - Over 90% of employees received careers and skills training, totaling more than 19,000 hours [5].

Core Insights - Ashland Inc. is implementing a $60 million manufacturing network optimization plan to enhance operational consistency and profitability, which includes closing its Parlin, New Jersey facility and transferring hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) production to Hopewell, Virginia [1][2] - The company is also consolidating its microbial protection production from Chatham, New Jersey to Freetown, Massachusetts, aiming to improve cost efficiency across its manufacturing sites [1][2] - The optimization plan is expected to strengthen core technologies, including vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives (VP&D) and HEC, with the Hopewell facility receiving increased investments to expand capacity [2][3] Manufacturing Strategy - The completion of the HEC plans is a vital component of Ashland's overall savings initiative, with the newly consolidated HEC network capable of supporting demand in the United States, Europe, and China [2] - Ashland is focused on identifying and accelerating productivity within its plant network to drive savings beyond the $60 million target [2][3] - The company emphasizes a strategic approach to innovation and organic growth, allowing for cost-effective repurposing of assets while maintaining operational efficiency [5] Investment and Growth - Significant investments have been made in various regions, including Ireland, the United States, Brazil, and China, to enhance capabilities in injectables, tablet coatings, and microbial protection [3] - Ashland is also in the process of building a tablet coating plant in India, further expanding its global footprint [3] - The company showcased new patented technologies during a recent Innovation Day, aimed at unlocking new markets with differentiated performance [4]

Core Viewpoint - Cabot Corporation will release its third quarter operating results for fiscal 2025 on August 4, 2025, after market close, followed by a conference call on August 5, 2025 [1]. Company Overview - Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts [3]. - The company specializes in providing reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, engineered elastomer composites, inkjet colorants, masterbatches, conductive compounds, fumed metal oxides, and aerogel [3]. Conference Call Details - The conference call will begin at 8:00 am (ET) on August 5, 2025, and will be available via live webcast on Cabot's website [1][2]. - An archived version of the call and accompanying slide presentation will also be accessible on the company's website for those unable to attend the live session [2].

Group 1 - Avient Corporation plans to release its second quarter 2025 earnings on August 1, 2025, before the market opens [1] - A webcast with a slide presentation will be hosted at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the same day [1] - Participants in the conference call must pre-register to receive the dial-in number and personal PIN for the Q&A session [2] Group 2 - A recording of the webcast and the slide presentation will be available on the company's investor website immediately after the conference call and will remain accessible for one year [3] - Avient Corporation focuses on being an innovator of materials solutions, aiming to help customers succeed while promoting sustainability [4] - The company employs over 9,000 employees globally, leveraging their collective strength to innovate solutions that address customer challenges and capitalize on market opportunities [4]

Core Viewpoint - Huntsman Corporation will hold a conference call on August 1, 2025, to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results, with a question and answer session following the opening remarks [1]. Financial Information - The earnings press release, including financial statements and segment information, will be distributed after the market closes on July 31, 2025 [2]. - The company reported revenues of approximately $6 billion for the year 2024 [3]. Company Overview - Huntsman Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals, operating over 60 manufacturing, R&D, and operations facilities in about 25 countries [3]. - The company employs approximately 6,300 associates within its continuing operations [3].

Core Viewpoint - Innospec Inc. will release its second quarter 2025 earnings results on August 5, 2025, followed by an interactive conference call on August 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET [1] Company Overview - Innospec Inc. is an international specialty chemicals company with approximately 2,400 employees across 22 countries [4] - The company manufactures and supplies a wide range of specialty chemicals for various markets including Personal Care, Home Care, Agrochemical, Mining, and Industrial [4] - Innospec's Fuel Specialties business focuses on fuel additives that enhance fuel efficiency, improve engine performance, and reduce harmful emissions [4] - The Oilfield Services segment provides specialty chemicals for the oil and gas exploration and production industry [4] Conference Call Details - The public can listen to the conference call by registering in advance through an online registration link [2] - Participants will receive an email confirmation with dial-in numbers and a unique Personal PIN for joining the conference [2] - An audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the company's website, along with a slide presentation [3] - A replay of the webcast will be accessible for 30 days following the call [3]

Company Overview - Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC) develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services in over 65 countries, primarily focusing on corrosion prevention under the ZERUST® brand [5] - NTIC has been in the corrosion prevention market for over 50 years, serving various sectors including automotive, electronics, military, and more recently, the oil and gas industry [5] - The company also offers bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand [5] Upcoming Financial Results - NTIC is set to release its fiscal 2025 third-quarter financial results on July 10, 2025, before the market opens [1] - A conference call with management will take place on the same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, where the President and CEO, along with the CFO, will review the financial results and outlook [2] Conference Call Details - Participants must register to join the live call and will receive a dial-in number and unique PIN after registration [3] - An audio-only webcast of the conference call will be available, and a replay will be accessible for approximately one year on NTIC's Investor Relations webpage [4]