Core Viewpoint - LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is being highlighted as a potential investment opportunity for income investors looking to deploy new capital in the market [1] Group 1 - The focus is on identifying high-yield investment opportunities for individual investors, with an emphasis on making complex concepts easy to understand [2] - The analysis aims to provide clear, actionable insights to help investors achieve better returns, supported by expert research [2] Group 2 - The article expresses a beneficial long position in LyondellBasell shares, indicating confidence in the company's performance [3]

Group 1 - Huntsman Corporation has completed a strategic review of its European Maleic Anhydride business, leading to the decision to permanently close its facility in Moers, Germany, by the end of the current quarter [1][2] - The closure is a response to underperformance, with the European Maleic Anhydride operations recording an adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $10 million in 2024 [2] - Huntsman plans to serve European customers through its North American facilities located in Pensacola, FL, and Geismar, LA [2] Group 2 - The company expects to incur a one-time, non-cash asset impairment charge of around $75 million in the second quarter of 2025 due to the facility closure [2] - Huntsman shares have lost 54% in the past year, significantly underperforming compared to the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry's 27.8% decline [3] - Order patterns in key markets such as construction and transportation are negatively impacted by low visibility and customer uncertainty regarding demand trends [4] Group 3 - Huntsman is focused on cost actions, including workforce reductions and asset optimization in both Europe and North America, in response to the current market conditions [4] - The company currently carries a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) [5] - Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include Carpenter Technology Corporation, Alamos Gold Inc., and Hawkins, Inc., with Carpenter Technology showing significant performance improvement [5][6][8]

Core Viewpoint - The comparison between Dow Inc. and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both companies in the current challenging market environment, with DuPont appearing to have a more attractive investment profile due to its innovation-driven growth and better valuation metrics [2][27]. Group 1: Dow Inc. (DOW) - DOW benefits from a differentiated portfolio and low-cost feedstock positions, focusing on growth in attractive end markets such as pharma and home care [4][27]. - The company is implementing proactive measures to deliver approximately $6 billion in cash support, including infrastructure asset sales and cost savings [5]. - DOW is targeting $1 billion in cost reductions, primarily through workforce reductions of around 1,500 roles globally, with expected benefits of $300 million in 2025 [6]. - DOW has a strong balance sheet with over $11 billion in liquidity and returned $2.5 billion to shareholders in 2024 [7]. - The company offers a high dividend yield of 9.7%, although it has a high payout ratio of 239% [8]. - DOW faces demand softness, particularly in Europe, and challenges in the automotive and construction markets due to inflation and geopolitical tensions [9][16]. - The Performance Materials & Coatings unit is experiencing pricing pressure in siloxane products due to increased supply in Asia [10][11]. - DOW's stock has declined 29.4% year to date, with a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 45.80, representing a significant premium over the industry average [18][22]. Group 2: DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD) - DuPont is focused on growth through innovation and new product development, particularly in healthcare markets [12][13]. - The acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group enhances DuPont's position in the healthcare sector, aligning with its innovation-driven strategy [13]. - DuPont is expected to realize cost synergy savings and productivity improvements, with annualized cost savings of $150 million anticipated from restructuring actions [14]. - The company achieved a transaction-adjusted free cash flow conversion of 105% in 2024 and raised its quarterly dividend by 8% to 41 cents per share [15]. - DuPont faces headwinds in the construction and automotive markets, impacting sales in its IndustrialsCo segment [16]. - The company anticipates separation costs related to its electronics business to be modestly below $700 million, affecting margins and free cash flow in 2025 [17]. - DuPont's stock has decreased by 10.7% year to date, trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 15.45, which is below DOW and the industry [18][20]. - The consensus estimates for DuPont suggest a year-over-year rise in sales and EPS of 2.9% and 4.9%, respectively, indicating positive growth prospects [26].

Group 1 - LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) is identified as a cyclical stock that is likely near a cyclical low, currently trading at $57.75 with a 9.5% dividend yield, indicating a potential investment opportunity [1] - The investment strategy focuses on GARP (growth at a reasonable price) stocks while also exploring other opportunities, with no specified time horizon for holding investments [1] - The analyst has developed market-beating algorithms using Python to identify attractive investment opportunities, demonstrating a proactive approach to portfolio management [1] Group 2 - The analyst has a background in writing and editing for financial news, which aids in understanding market trends and investor interests [1] - There is an emphasis on providing accurate and useful information, highlighting the prevalence of misinformation in the market [1]

Group 1 - Moretus Research provides high-quality equity research focused on U.S. public markets, aiming to deliver clarity, conviction, and alpha for serious investors [1] - The research framework emphasizes identifying companies with durable business models, mispriced cash flow potential, and intelligent capital allocation [1] - Valuation methods are based on sector-relevant multiples tailored to each company's business model and capital structure, prioritizing comparability and simplicity [1] Group 2 - Research coverage targets underappreciated companies experiencing structural changes or temporary dislocations, where disciplined analysis can yield asymmetric returns [1] - Moretus Research aims to elevate the standard for independent investment research by providing actionable insights and a strong filter for relevant information in equity analysis [1]

Company Overview - B2Gold (BTG) is part of the Basic Materials sector, which includes 232 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 5 [2] - B2Gold belongs to the Mining - Gold industry, which consists of 39 companies and is ranked 18 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] Performance Metrics - B2Gold has returned approximately 38.5% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Basic Materials sector average return of 7.5% [4] - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for B2Gold's full-year earnings has increased by 33.2%, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] Comparative Analysis - In comparison, another Basic Materials stock, Akzo Nobel NV (AKZOY), has returned 13.3% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The Mining - Gold industry, to which B2Gold belongs, has an average gain of 45.2% this year, suggesting that B2Gold is slightly underperforming its industry [6] - Conversely, Akzo Nobel NV is part of the Chemical - Diversified industry, which has declined by 15.6% year-to-date [6] Investment Outlook - Investors in the Basic Materials sector should monitor B2Gold and Akzo Nobel NV for their continued strong performance [7]

Group 1: Sustainability Achievements - DuPont de Nemours, Inc. has achieved 100% grid electricity from renewable sources across its entire European Union operations, marking a significant milestone towards its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 [1][2] - The transition involved the installation of on-site solar panels and the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at 13 manufacturing sites in the EU, emphasizing the company's commitment to environmental protection [2] Group 2: Financial Performance and Projections - For the second quarter, DuPont projects net sales of approximately $3.2 billion, operating EBITDA of around $815 million, and adjusted earnings per share of about $1.05, indicating a seasonal sequential increase in sales [6] - The company has maintained its full-year guidance for 2025, reflecting confidence in its operational performance [6] Group 3: Stock Performance - DuPont's stock has declined by 13.2% over the past year, which is a better performance compared to the industry's decline of 25.8% [5]

Core Viewpoint - Huntsman Corporation has completed a strategic review of its European Maleic Anhydride business, leading to the closure of its facility in Moers, Germany, by the end of the current quarter [1]. Group 1: Business Operations - The closure of the Moers facility is expected to result in a one-time non-cash asset impairment charge of approximately $75 million during the second quarter of 2025 [1]. - In 2024, the European Maleic Anhydride business reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of around $10 million [1]. - Post-closure, Huntsman plans to serve European customers from its North American facilities located in Pensacola, Florida, and Geismar, Louisiana [1]. Group 2: Company Overview - Huntsman Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals, with revenues of approximately $6 billion in 2024 [2]. - The company operates over 60 manufacturing, R&D, and operations facilities across approximately 25 countries, employing around 6,300 associates [2].

Regulated information – Inside information - May 28th 2025 – 08:00 Campine NV, metals recycling and specialty chemicals company from Beerse, Belgium and listed on Euronext Brussels expects substantially higher profits for 2025 as a result of the increased demand for its antimony products. Due to export restrictions in China since the fall of 2024, Campine and other suppliers benefit from a considerable surge in demand. “In the last months we booked orders from new customers around the globe” CEO De Vos expl ...

Core Viewpoint - Stepan Company has announced the sale of its manufacturing assets in the Philippines to Masurf, Inc., aligning with its strategy to focus on core growth areas and maintain service to its customer base in Southeast Asia [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The manufacturing assets located in Bauan, Batangas, Philippines will be sold to Masurf, a subsidiary of Musim Mas Holdings Pte. Ltd. [1] - A tolling agreement will be established between Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. (SPQI) and Masurf to continue serving customers post-transaction [2]. - The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, and it is subject to normal closing conditions [2]. Group 2: Company Profile - Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, particularly known for its surfactants used in cleaning, disinfection, and agricultural solutions [3]. - The company also supplies polyurethane polyols for the thermal insulation market and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries [3]. - Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan operates a network of modern production facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia [4].