Core Insights - LyondellBasell Industries is highlighted for its strong performance in dividend investing, appealing to investors focused on quality blue-chip stocks and dividend-paying companies [1] Group 1 - The company is referred to as "The Dividend Collectuh," indicating its reputation for consistent dividend payments [1] - The analyst emphasizes a buy-and-hold investment strategy, prioritizing quality over quantity in stock selection [1] - The goal is to assist lower and middle-class workers in building investment portfolios that focus on high-quality, dividend-paying companies [1]

Mergers and Acquisitions - KKR 成为收购日本化学制造商 Taiyo 的领跑者 [1]

SentryGlas® Overview - SentryGlas® is an ionoplast interlayer film used in laminated safety glass, offering enhanced safety, clarity, and resilience[11] - It is 100 times stiffer and 5 times more tear-resistant than PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) interlayers[25] - SentryGlas® provides design optimization, enabling thinner and lighter laminated glass constructions, which reduces the carbon footprint[25] - The interlayer is less moisture-sensitive than other interlayers, offering improved durability[25] - SentryGlas® offers excellent optics, providing the clearest interlayer option[26] Market Segments and Applications - SentryGlas® is used in hurricane glazing to meet large missile impact requirements[29] - It is applied in railings and balustrades, providing edge clarity and post-breakage strength[31] - SentryGlas® is utilized in high-security buildings to improve durability versus polycarbonate and meet bomb blast and bullet-resistant requirements[33] - It is used in facades to increase glass stiffness up to 50°C, reducing deflection under load and enabling thinner glass with less metal support[37] Growth Strategies and Global Trends - The company focuses on direct sales to laminators and provides global technical representatives to support SentryGlas® processing[41] - The company influences building codes and standards and employs downstream marketing to specify SentryGlas®[43] - Global trends such as climate change, rising sea levels, and intense storms create opportunities for SentryGlas® in glass flood barriers and typhoon/cyclone glazing[44] - Increasing workplace and school safety concerns, coupled with urbanization and geopolitical instability, drive demand for SentryGlas® in forced entry bullet resistance (FEBR) and bullet-resistant glazing[44]

Press release Regulated information Brussels, December 17, 2025, 5.45pm CET Solvay today publishes its 2026 financial calendar. EventDateInterim dividend: ex-dateJanuary 19, 2026Interim dividend: payment dateJanuary 21, 2026Fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings February 24, 2026First quarter 2026 earnings May 7, 2026Ordinary General Shareholders’ MeetingMay 12, 2026Second quarter and first half year 2026 earnings <td style="width:29.8402%;;border-top: solid ...

Core Viewpoint - BASF SE has been actively conducting a share buyback program, with a total of 6,481,675 shares repurchased from November 3, 2025, to December 12, 2025, indicating a strategic move to enhance shareholder value [2][4]. Share Buyback Details - From December 8, 2025, to December 12, 2025, BASF SE repurchased 938,051 shares as part of its ongoing share buyback initiative [2]. - The daily repurchase volumes and corresponding volume-weighted average share prices are detailed, showing fluctuations in share prices across different trading venues [3]. - The shares are being purchased through a bank commissioned by BASF SE, primarily on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Xetra) and other trading platforms [4].

Footprint Optimization - The company is shutting down three North American chlorovinyl plants and exiting the styrene business due to unfavorable market conditions and high costs[2, 5] - These closures are expected to improve annual EBITDA by approximately $100 million and generate free cash flow savings of around $175 million in 2026[2, 9] - The company anticipates one-time charges of about $415 million in 4Q'25, including a $357 million non-cash accelerated depreciation, amortization, and asset write-off charge[9] - The shutdown includes the following capacity reductions: 825 million lbs of Chlorine (11% of WLK global capacity), 910 million lbs of VCM (11% of WLK global capacity), 1,000 million lbs of PVC (15% of WLK global capacity), and 570 million lbs of Styrene (100% of WLK global capacity)[5] Profitability Improvement Plan - The company's Profitability Improvement Plan aims to restore PEM's Return on Investment to an appropriate level[4] - The plan is expected to generate approximately $600 million per year of EBITDA uplift starting in 2026, with each of the three pillars contributing around $200 million[9, 10, 12] - The footprint optimization efforts, including North American chlorovinyls and styrene closures, are projected to contribute $100 million to the $200 million total from Footprint Optimization[10] - The plan has an expected payback period of less than one year on the $58 million cash costs required for execution[2, 9]

Core Viewpoint - Dow Inc. (NYSE:DOW) is viewed as a hold by Jim Cramer, who acknowledges its recent performance but suggests limited upside potential in the short term [1]. Company Overview - Dow Inc. develops chemical and material products utilized in various sectors including packaging, construction, transportation, and consumer industries [1]. Recent Performance - The last quarter was reported positively by CEO Jim Fitterling, indicating that the stock has the potential to increase further [1]. Investment Recommendations - Cramer suggests holding onto Dow Inc. stock, indicating confidence in its stability and potential for growth [1]. - Cramer also mentions Solstice, a recent spin-off from Honeywell, as a promising investment opportunity [1]. Comparative Analysis - While Dow Inc. shows potential, there are AI stocks identified as having greater upside potential and lower downside risk, suggesting a shift in focus for investors seeking high returns [1].

Core Viewpoint - FutureFuel Corp. has declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share for the first quarter of 2026 and extended its share repurchase program for an additional 24 months [1] Company Overview - FutureFuel is a leading manufacturer of diversified chemical products, specialty chemical products, and biofuels [2] - The company produces custom chemicals for specific customers and performance chemicals for multiple customers [2] - FutureFuel's custom chemicals include proprietary intermediates and chlorinated polyolefin adhesion promoters [2] - The performance chemicals portfolio includes polymer modifiers and small-volume specialty chemicals [2] - The biofuels segment primarily focuses on the production and sale of biodiesel [2]

Group 1 - Fermium Research downgraded LyondellBasell Industries N.V. from Buy to Hold, maintaining a price target of $50 [1] - LyondellBasell's stock has decreased by over 40% since the beginning of 2025, attributed to higher input costs, weak product demand, and increased competition [2] - In Q3 2025, LyondellBasell reported revenues of $7.73 billion, a 10% decline year-over-year, and an EBITDA loss of $835 million compared to $1.17 billion in the same quarter last year [2] Group 2 - The company demonstrated a strong cash position with a cash conversion rate of 135% in Q3, indicating progress on its cash improvement plan [3] - CEO Peter Z. Vanacker stated that LyondellBasell is on track to achieve a cash flow target of $600 million in 2025 and at least $1.1 billion by the end of 2026 [3] - The company generated $983 million in operating cash flow and returned $443 million to investors through dividends [3] Group 3 - LyondellBasell is recognized as a global chemical company and one of the largest producers of polymers, leading in polyolefin technologies [4]

Group 1: Market Outlook - Citi has reduced the price target for Dow Inc. to $23 from $25, maintaining a Neutral rating due to a weakening polyethylene market [1] - The firm has also lowered estimates for other chemical companies, indicating price discounting in polyethylene and a negative outlook for PE-exposed companies in 2026 [1] Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Dow Inc. reported net sales of $10 billion, with growth in the Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment [2] - The company achieved a $1 billion reduction in CapEx spending and completed a strategic partnership with Macquarie, selling a 49% equity stake in U.S. Gulf Coast infrastructure assets for approximately $3 billion [2] - Dow's operating cash flow was $1.1 billion, an increase of $330 million year-over-year, with $4.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $10 billion in available liquidity [3] - The company returned $249 million to shareholders through dividends in the quarter [3] Group 3: Company Overview - Dow Inc. is an American chemical company that produces coatings, industrial intermediates, plastics, and related products [4]