Braskem (BAK) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Since a cha ...

Key Takeaways Petrobras is in advanced talks over IG4's plan to acquire Novonor's controlling stake in Braskem.IG4 gained exclusive rights by buying Novonor's debt, paving a path to Braskem control.Petrobras seeks greater influence in Braskem's direction without raising its ownership stake.Petrobras (PBR) , Brazil's state-controlled integrated oil and gas company, is reportedly engaging in advanced discussions regarding a strategic move that has the potential to significantly transform the petrochemical ind ...

Summary of Conference Call on Chemicals Industry Industry Overview - The focus of the conference call is on the chemicals industry, particularly in relation to the proposed anti-involution policies in China aimed at addressing chronic oversupply in the petrochemical sector [1][3][8]. Key Points 1. **China's Anti-Involution Policies**: - The proposed policies are viewed as a good intention to tackle the oversupply issue in the petrochemical sector, but there are concerns regarding the execution and effectiveness of these measures [3][8]. - Analysts suggest that prohibiting new capacities is the most effective way to address the structural oversupply [3]. 2. **Market Reactions**: - Saudi petrochemical share prices have increased by 13-23% following news of the anti-involution policies, although chemical prices in China and Northeast Asia have not shown similar recovery [4][8]. - The market remains cautious, with many investors adopting a "wait and see" approach until tangible changes occur [15]. 3. **Current Supply-Demand Dynamics**: - The fundamentals of the petrochemical market remain weak, characterized by a significant supply overhang and lack of demand recovery [4][10]. - Spot prices for key chemicals such as HDPE, LDPE, and PP have remained flat compared to July, with only MEG expected to see a modest price increase of 3% [4]. 4. **Capacity Management**: - The potential closure of older capacities in China could theoretically reduce global PE/PP capacities by 3.6-5.1%, but the impact on industry utilization rates is expected to be minimal and diminish over time as new capacities come online [10]. - Local governments in China are required to submit assessments of aging petrochemical facilities, but complexities in execution may hinder effective capacity management [11]. 5. **Investor Sentiment**: - There is a mixed sentiment among investors; while some view the news as a positive step, the majority remain skeptical due to the persistent overcapacity issues [15][16]. - Corporates are cautious about over-extrapolating the potential impact of the anti-involution policies and are not incorporating these changes into their internal forecasts [8][15]. 6. **International Developments**: - Similar capacity reduction plans have been announced in Korea, where the government aims to cut 2.7-3.7 million tons of NCC capacity, representing 29% of total domestic capacity [16]. - However, new capacity additions may offset the impact of these closures, raising questions about the effectiveness of such measures [16]. Additional Insights - Companies such as Borouge, Orlen, SABIC, and Sipchem have expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential for market improvement due to capacity closures, but they also highlight the ongoing challenges posed by oversupply [17]. - The overall sentiment in the petrochemical market remains cautious, with many stakeholders awaiting concrete actions and results from the proposed policies before making significant investment decisions [15][17].

RT Bloomberg em Português (@BBGEmPortugues)#Exclusivo Uma injeção de capital na petroquímica Braskem está atrelada à venda da fatia da Novonor na empresa para um novo investidor, disse a CEO da Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, à Bloomberg News.Por @maridurao https://t.co/yFrCK6jgC4 ...

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Baloyi, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "This year's results reflect the decisive actions we are taking to reshape Sasol for the future. We contained cash fixed cost increases below inflation, optimised capital spend, generated higher free cash flow and strengthened our balance sheet. We are advancing our strategic initiatives to restore the Southern Africa value chain, reset International Chemicals, and deliver our growth and transform ambition ...

August 21, 2025 03:42 AM GMT Chemicals | Asia Pacific M Idea Anti-Involution: China, Korea and Pushbacks Our counter-consensus bullish view on chemicals has gotten only pushback. Corporate earnings are still challenged, but free cash flows have started outperforming and got most attention in our conversations. Volume growth is being closely watched to get conviction on a cycle turn. Key Takeaways Investor expectations for the commodity chemical cycle are the most bearish we have seen in 20 years of watching ...

August 21, 2025 03:42 AM GMT Chemicals | Asia Pacific M Idea Anti-Involution: China, Korea and Pushbacks Our counter-consensus bullish view on chemicals has gotten only pushback. Corporate earnings are still challenged, but free cash flows have started outperforming and got most attention in our conversations. Volume growth is being closely watched to get conviction on a cycle turn. Key Takeaways Investor expectations for the commodity chemical cycle are the most bearish we have seen in 20 years of watching ...

Microplastics are increasingly being found in our bodies and food supply. They are defined as pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters — about the size of a pencil eraser. But they can also be much smaller, like the size of a virus particle or a strand of DNA. Petrochemicals, the building blocks of plastic, are produced from oil and gas. The business is a small but profitable area of the fossil fuel industry, and any push back on the use of plastics is seen as a threat to the oil and gas industry. "Wher ...

彭博：中国政府将对石化和炼油行业进行全面改革。为压减行业中低端领域长期存在的过剩产能，相关举措有望在下个月推出。知情人士称，根据拟议的措施，使用时间超过20年的石化设备（约占全国总量的40%）将需要改造以提高产量。还将鼓励工厂转向生产特种精细化学品。新的投资制度将对用于人工智能、机器人、半导体、生物医学设备、电池和可再生能源领域的化学品给予优惠。最新计划还针对规模较小的炼油厂，年产能低于200万吨的炼油厂可能会被关闭。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Sasol expects a significant increase in earnings per share (EPS) by more than 100% compared to the prior year, while adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) is projected to decrease by 10% to 17% [1][3]. Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between R50 billion and R54 billion, down from R60 billion in the previous year [1]. - EPS is expected to rise to between R7.00 and R12.00, compared to a prior year loss per share of R69.94 [3]. - Headline earnings per share (HEPS) is projected to increase by 85% to 100%, reaching between R33.60 and R36.30, up from R18.19 in the prior year [3]. Factors Influencing Earnings - The increase in earnings is attributed to higher average chemicals basket prices and strict cost control measures [3]. - Significant impairments decreased from R74.9 billion in the prior year to R20.7 billion in the current year [3]. - The derecognition of a deferred tax asset of R15.3 billion from the prior year is noted, primarily related to Chemicals America operations [3]. - A net cash settlement of R4.3 billion from Transnet SOC Limited and a reduction in asset rehabilitation provision of R2.9 billion were also contributing factors [3]. Market Conditions - There was a 15% decline in the average Rand per barrel of Brent crude oil price, alongside a significant drop in refining margins and fuel price differentials [3]. - Sales volumes decreased by 3% due to lower production and/or market demand [3]. Impairments and Reversals - The Secunda and Sasolburg liquid fuels refinery cash generating units remain fully impaired, with recoverable amounts affected by lower macro-economic forecasts [3]. - Impairments included R4.4 billion for the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and PT5-C exploration assets in Mozambique, and R3.2 billion for Italy Care Chemicals CGU [3]. - A reversal of impairment of R1 billion was noted for the China Care Chemicals CGU due to improved business results [3].