Core Insights - Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is set to announce its third-quarter 2025 results on November 5, 2025 [1][7] - The company has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters, with an average negative earnings surprise of 136% [2] - ALB's shares have decreased by 3.2% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry's decline of 28.9% [3] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB's revenues in the upcoming quarter is $1,291.9 million, indicating a year-over-year decline of approximately 4.6% [5] - The Energy Storage unit's net sales are estimated at $678 million, reflecting an 11.7% year-over-year decline [5] - The Specialties unit's net sales are projected at $349 million, suggesting a 1.5% year-over-year increase [5] - The Ketjen unit's net sales are expected to be $248 million, indicating a 10.8% year-over-year decline [8] Performance Factors - ALB is anticipated to benefit from cost-saving, pricing, and productivity initiatives, which may support margins despite weak lithium prices [9] - The company has made progress in optimizing its cost and operating structure, achieving a 100% run-rate against its cost and productivity improvement target of $300-$400 million for 2025 [10] - The decline in lithium market prices, driven by slowing demand for electric vehicles and increased supply, is expected to negatively impact ALB's performance [11] Earnings Prediction - The Earnings ESP for ALB is -2.16%, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter currently at a loss of 92 cents [13] - ALB holds a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a hold rating [13]

Core Insights - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB) reported a loss of $890 million or $2.77 per share, contrasting with a profit of $573 million or $1.75 per share from the previous year [1] - Adjusted earnings were $1.01 per share, down from $1.91 year-over-year, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents [1][8] - Net sales for the quarter were $7,727 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,493.9 million, but down approximately 10% from $8,604 million in the prior-year quarter [2] Segment Performance - The Olefins & Polyolefins — Americas segment saw revenues decline around 13% year-over-year to $2,606 million, beating the consensus estimate of $2,531 million [3] - Olefins & Polyolefins — Europe, Asia, and international segment revenues fell 8% year-over-year to $2,587 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2,293 million [3] - In the Intermediates and Derivatives segment, sales were $2,343 million, down roughly 13% year-over-year, but beating the consensus estimate of $2,325 million [4] - Advanced Polymer Solutions revenues were $870 million, a decline of around 3% year-over-year, missing the consensus estimate of $891 million [4] - The Technology segment's revenues were $115 million, marking a decline of roughly 21%, lagging behind the consensus estimate of $137 million [4] Financial Overview - LyondellBasell generated $983 million in cash from operating activities during the quarter [5] - The company spent $406 million on capital expenditures and returned $443 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [5] - At the end of the quarter, LYB had $1.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, along with $6.5 billion in total available liquidity [5] Future Outlook - For the fourth quarter, LyondellBasell anticipates reduced operating rates and seasonal impacts to affect results across most businesses [6] - Increased natural gas and feedstock costs are expected to pressure integrated polyolefins margins in North America, with soft industrial and consumer demand persisting in Europe [6] - The company is on track with its Cash Improvement Plan, targeting $600 million by 2025 and at least $1.1 billion by the end of next year [7] Stock Performance - LyondellBasell shares have declined by 47.8% over the past year, compared to a 27.4% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [9]

Core Insights - Methanex Corporation (MEOH) is scheduled to release its third-quarter 2025 results on October 29, with expectations of benefiting from higher methanol volumes despite facing challenges from lower prices [1][7] - The company has consistently surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, averaging an earnings surprise of approximately 83.2%, with a notable 130.9% surprise in the last quarter [1] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Methanex's third-quarter consolidated revenues is currently $974 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.2% [4] Performance Factors - Methanex's third-quarter performance is anticipated to be positively influenced by increased methanol sales volumes, driven by a 4% rise in global methanol demand in the second quarter, particularly in China [5] - However, weaker methanol prices are expected to negatively impact the company's results, with the average realized price for methanol projected to decline to $345 per ton, a 3% year-over-year decrease from the previous quarter's $374 per ton [8] Earnings Prediction - The current model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for Methanex this quarter, as it holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), despite an Earnings ESP of +22.53% [9][10]

Core Insights - Dow Inc. reported a profit of $62 million or 8 cents per share for Q3 2025, a decline from $214 million or 30 cents per share a year ago, primarily due to lower prices [1] - On an adjusted basis, Dow recorded a loss of 19 cents per share, compared to earnings of 47 cents a year ago, which was better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 31 cents [1][10] - Net sales for the quarter were $9,973 million, down 8% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10,175.4 million [2] Financial Performance - Cash flow from operating activities increased to $1.1 billion, up $330 million from the same period last year, attributed to working capital improvements [7] - Shareholder returns for the quarter totaled $249 million in dividends [7] - DOW's shares have decreased by 57.4% over the past year, compared to a 30.9% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [11] Segment Performance - **Packaging & Specialty Plastics**: Sales fell 11% year over year to $4,891 million, missing estimates, with local prices down 10% [4] - **Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure**: Sales decreased 4% year over year to $2,834 million, beating estimates, with local prices down 8% [5] - **Performance Materials & Coatings**: Revenues fell 6% year over year to $2,082 million, slightly above estimates, with local prices down 5% [6] Market Outlook - Dow aims to maintain financial flexibility and enhance competitiveness to boost earnings, while focusing on cost savings and disciplined cash flow management [8] - The company is on track to generate over $6.5 billion in near-term cash support, having already achieved more than half of this target [9]

Core Insights - Dow Inc. (DOW) is set to release its third-quarter 2025 results on October 23, with expectations of a revenue decline of 6.5% year-over-year to $10.18 billion [1][7] - The company has a history of mixed earnings performance, with a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise averaging 44.9% and a significant negative surprise of 281.8% in the last quarter [1][2] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DOW's revenues is $10,175.4 million, indicating a 6.5% decline from the previous year [4] - Revenue estimates for specific segments include: - Packaging & Specialty Plastics: $5,129.9 million, down 7% year-over-year [4] - Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure: $2,812.4 million, down 5.1% year-over-year [4] - Performance Materials & Coatings: $2,080.1 million, down 6.1% year-over-year [5] Factors Impacting Performance - Demand softness in Europe and China is expected to negatively affect DOW's performance, with lower consumer spending and weak construction and manufacturing activities in Europe [8][9] - Inflationary pressures are impacting demand across consumer durables and construction sectors, contributing to weak volumes [9] - The Performance Materials & Coatings unit is facing challenges from weak siloxane prices due to increased supply in Asia, alongside a $125 million headwind from higher maintenance activities [10] Cost-Saving Initiatives - DOW is implementing cost-saving measures aimed at reducing direct and labor costs, targeting $1 billion in savings to improve margins [11] - The company anticipates around $400 million in benefits from these actions in 2025, with full benefits expected by 2026 [11] Earnings Prediction - Current models do not predict an earnings beat for DOW, with an Earnings ESP of -1.12% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [12][13]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry is facing headwinds due to demand weakness in key markets such as consumer durables and building & construction, exacerbated by inflationary pressures in Europe and a slow recovery in China [1][4][5] - The industry includes manufacturers of basic chemicals, plastics, specialty chemicals, and agricultural chemicals, serving various end markets like automotive, construction, and electronics [3] Demand Challenges - Demand weakness is particularly pronounced in the building & construction and consumer electronics markets, with elevated borrowing costs and inflation impacting residential construction and consumer behavior [4] - In China, a slower economic recovery and a weak real estate market are contributing to reduced chemical demand, while Europe is experiencing similar challenges due to high inflation and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war [5] Strategic Responses - Companies like DuPont, Albemarle, and Methanex are implementing strategic measures such as cost-cutting, productivity improvements, and aggressive price hikes to navigate the challenging environment [2][6] - These actions aim to sustain margins amid rising costs and demand challenges [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry has underperformed the S&P 500 and the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector, losing 21% over the past year compared to the S&P 500's gain of 18.4% [9] - The industry's current valuation, based on the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio, is 19.29X, which is below the S&P 500's 23.02X but above the sector's 16.31X [12] Company Highlights - **Methanex Corporation (MEOH)**: The world's largest supplier of methanol, benefiting from healthy demand and strategic acquisitions to enhance production capacity and shareholder returns [17][18] - **DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD)**: Focused on innovation and growth in high-demand markets, with a projected earnings growth rate of around 7.9% for 2025 and ongoing cost synergy initiatives [20][22] - **Albemarle Corporation (ALB)**: Positioned to capitalize on the growing battery-grade lithium market, with expected earnings growth of 20.9% for 2025 and strategic investments in high-return projects [23][25]

Core Insights - Huntsman Corporation reported a second-quarter 2025 loss of 92 cents per share, a significant decline from earnings of 13 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Adjusted loss per share was 20 cents, wider than the expected loss of 15 cents, compared to earnings of 14 cents in the prior year [1][9] - Revenues decreased by approximately 7% year over year to $1,458 million, missing the consensus estimate of $1,476.7 million due to lower global construction and industrial activity [2][9] Segment Highlights - **Polyurethanes**: Revenues fell 7% year over year to $932 million, surpassing the estimate of $906 million, primarily due to lower average selling prices and reduced sales volumes [3] - **Performance Products**: Revenues decreased by 10% to $270 million, below the estimate of $300 million, driven by lower sales volumes attributed to reduced operating rates at the Moers facility in Germany [4] - **Advanced Materials**: Revenues declined 5% to $264 million, falling short of the estimate of $267 million, with decreases in both average selling prices and volumes due to unfavorable sales mix and reduced demand in coatings and aerospace markets [5] Financials - Free cash flow from continuing operations was $55 million, up from $5 million in the prior-year quarter [6] - The company had approximately $1.3 billion in combined cash and unused borrowing capacity as of June 30, 2025 [6] - Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $92 million in the reported quarter [6] Outlook - The company anticipates continued muted construction demand in the third quarter and has implemented cost-cutting measures, including the closure of the European Maleic Anhydride facility in Moers and other downstream facilities in North America and Europe [7] Stock Performance - Huntsman shares have declined by 57.1% over the past year, compared to a 25% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [8]

Core Insights - Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) reported second-quarter 2025 earnings of $1.20 per share, a decline of approximately 38% from $1.94 in the same quarter last year [1] - Adjusted earnings were $1.60 per share, down from $2.15 year-over-year, and below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72 [1][9] - Revenues for the second quarter were $2,287 million, a decrease of around 3% year-over-year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,289.9 million [1][9] Financial Performance - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter stood at $423 million, with net debt at $4,703 million [6] - Cash provided by operating activities was $233 million, down approximately 37% year-over-year [6] - The company returned $145 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter [6] Segment Performance - Advanced Materials segment sales fell 2% year-over-year to $777 million, beating the estimate of $770 million [3] - Additives & Functional Products segment sales increased by 7% year-over-year to $769 million, surpassing the estimate of $732 million [4] - Chemical Intermediaries segment sales decreased by 10% year-over-year to $463 million, missing the estimate of $529 million [5] - Fibers segment reported sales of $274 million, down 17% year-over-year, but beating the estimate of $252 million [5] Market Outlook - The company is facing significant challenges in the second quarter, with only modest signs of seasonal improvement across end markets [2] - EMN anticipates a challenging global macroeconomic environment in the second half, with cautious customer behavior due to changing tariffs and soft demand [7] - The company expects third-quarter adjusted earnings to be approximately $1.25 per share and aims for an operating cash flow of around $1 billion for the full year [7][9] Stock Performance - EMN's shares have declined by 25.5% over the past year, compared to a 22.8% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [10]

Core Insights - Albemarle Corporation (ALB) reported adjusted earnings of 11 cents per share for Q2 2025, an increase from 4 cents per share a year ago, and exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 83 cents [1][9] Financial Performance - Revenues decreased approximately 7% year over year to $1,330 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,243.2 million, primarily due to lower prices in the Energy Storage segment, although volume growth in Energy Storage and Specialties partially offset this decline [2] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $336.5 million, down from $386.4 million in the prior-year quarter, as a decline in lithium pricing outweighed lower average input costs and cost reduction measures [2] Segment Highlights - The Energy Storage unit's sales fell around 13.5% year over year to $717.7 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $589.4 million, with the decline attributed to reduced pricing despite a 15% increase in sales volumes [3] - The Specialties segment recorded sales of $351.6 million, up approximately 5.1% year over year, surpassing the consensus estimate of $344.7 million, as increased volumes offset low prices [4] - The Ketjen unit generated revenues of $260.8 million, down roughly 1.8% year over year, slightly beating the consensus estimate of $260 million, with higher prices offset by reduced volumes [4] Financial Position - At the end of the quarter, Albemarle had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1,806.8 million, an increase from $1,518.5 million in the prior quarter, while long-term debt rose to around $3,178.1 million, up about 1.6% sequentially [5] - Cash from operations for the first half of 2025 was around $538 million, reflecting a 15.7% increase from the prior-year period [5] 2025 Outlook - The company is implementing measures to enhance costs, productivity, and efficiencies to maintain its long-term competitive position, expecting volume growth in key end markets within the Specialties unit [6] - Capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are anticipated to be in the range of $650-$700 million [6] - Depreciation and amortization expenses are projected to be between $630-$670 million, with corporate costs expected to be $40-$70 million, and interest and financing expenses forecasted at $180-$210 million for the full year [7] Stock Performance - Albemarle's shares have declined by 24.9% over the past year, compared to a 19.4% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [8]

Core Viewpoint - Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is expected to report a decline in revenue for the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to weak lithium market prices and a projected overall revenue drop of 13.1% year-over-year [5][8]. Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB's revenues for the upcoming quarter is $1,243.2 million, indicating a 13.1% decrease from the same quarter last year [5]. - The Energy Storage unit's revenue is expected to decline by 28.4% to $589 million [5][8]. - The Specialties unit is projected to see an 11.3% increase in net sales, estimated at $345 million [6][8]. - The Ketjen unit's net sales are expected to remain flat year-over-year at $260 million [6]. Performance Insights - ALB has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters, with an average negative earnings surprise of 136% [2]. - The company achieved a positive earnings surprise of 71% in the most recent quarter [2]. - ALB's shares have decreased by 19.2% over the past year, slightly better than the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry's decline of 19.4% [3]. Cost and Productivity Actions - The company has implemented cost-saving and productivity initiatives that are expected to support margins despite challenges from declining lithium prices [9][10]. - ALB has made significant progress in its cost and operating structure review, achieving approximately 90% of its $350 million cost and productivity improvement target [10]. Market Conditions - The performance of ALB is likely to be impacted by soft lithium market prices, which have been affected by slowing demand for electric vehicles, inventory surplus, and increased supply [11]. - The uncertain macroeconomic environment and high interest rates have also contributed to weaker demand for lithium [11].