Core Viewpoint - LyondellBasell is set to announce its third-quarter 2025 financial results on October 31, 2025, before the U.S. market opens, followed by a webcast and teleconference to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results will be announced before the U.S. market opens on October 31, 2025 [1]. - A webcast and teleconference will take place at 11 a.m. EDT on the same day [1][2]. Group 2: Teleconference Details - The teleconference will be hosted by David Kinney, head of investor relations [2]. - Participants can access the webcast 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the call at www.lyb.com/earnings [2]. Group 3: Replay Information - A replay of the call will be available from 1 p.m. EDT on October 31 until December 1, 2025 [4]. - Replay dial-in numbers include a toll-free option at 877-660-6853 and a toll number at 201-612-7415, with an Access ID of 13746207 [4]. Group 4: Company Overview - LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry, focusing on sustainable living solutions [4]. - The company aims to enable a circular and low carbon economy through advanced technology and focused investments [4]. - As one of the world's largest producers of polymers, LyondellBasell develops high-quality products for various applications, including sustainable transportation and healthcare [4].

Core Insights - Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) is recognized as one of the Best Dividend Stocks and is included in the Dividend Champions List [1] - The company reported strong financial performance with double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth in the first half of 2025, despite challenges from higher oleochemical costs [2] Financial Performance - In Q2, Stepan Company reported adjusted EBITDA of $51.4 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, with overall volumes up 1% [3] - The Polymers segment saw a 7% increase, while the NCT product line experienced a significant 49% jump [3] - Adjusted net income was $12 million, reflecting a 27% increase compared to the previous year, aided by solid earnings in polymers and crop productivity, as well as a lower tax rate [3] Business Developments - The company added over 400 new customers during the quarter, with both crop productivity and oilfield businesses showing double-digit growth [4] - Stepan Company is on track to close the sale of its site in the Philippines later this year, while optimizing its global footprint [4] Dividend Information - Stepan Company has a strong dividend history, having increased its payout for 57 consecutive years [5] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.385 per share, resulting in a yield of approximately 3.16% as of October 2 [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses the best dividend stocks for a dividend champions list, focusing on companies that have consistently increased their dividends for 25 years or more [2][5]. Dividend Champions Overview - Dividend champions are distinguished from dividend aristocrats by not needing to be part of the S&P Index, but they share a commitment to increasing dividend payouts [2]. - The ability to grow dividends through challenging times, such as the pandemic, highlights the resilience of these companies [3]. Market Trends - There is a growing interest in dividend stocks among younger investors, particularly Gen Z, who are seeking financial independence and early retirement [4]. - Income-focused ETFs have gained significant traction, capturing about one in every six dollars flowing into equity ETFs, with the sector reaching approximately $750 billion by 2025 [5]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The selection process involved analyzing over 150 dividend champions and identifying those with the highest dividend yields as of October 2 [7]. Company Highlights - **The York Water Company (NASDAQ:YORW)**: - Offers a dividend yield of 2.91% and has paid dividends since 1816, increasing payouts for 28 consecutive years [9][12]. - Operates in a monopoly-like environment, providing stable cash flow due to the high costs of establishing utility services [11]. - **The Southern Company (NYSE:SO)**: - Provides a dividend yield of 3.15% and has a strong reputation in nuclear energy, overseeing eight reactors [13][15]. - Has a record of 24 years of consecutive dividend increases and has paid dividends without interruption for 78 years [15]. - **Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL)**: - Offers a dividend yield of 3.16% and has increased its dividend for 57 straight years [16][19]. - Reported an 8% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $51.4 million in the second quarter, with strong growth in its Polymers and NCT product lines [17][18].

Core Viewpoint - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) is facing a revised price target of $65 from Evercore ISI, down from $90, due to concerns over profit potential and industry conditions [1][2]. Company Summary - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. is a global leader in the production of chemicals, plastics, and polymers, serving various applications such as packaging, automotive components, and construction materials [2]. - The company is projected to have a "near/medium-term" mid-cycle EBITDA of $5.5 billion [1]. Industry Summary - The chemical industry is experiencing a phase where investors are likely to wait for clear signs of improving conditions before recognizing any recovery in profitability [2]. - Factors affecting LyondellBasell's performance include the right-sizing of European operations, reduced earnings from oxyfuels, and a predicted oversupply in the industry that may last into the latter part of the decade [1].

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) is included among the 10 Highest Dividend-Paying Stocks to Buy in the S&P 500. A Materials Powerhouse: How LyondellBasell (LYB) Rewards Investors Through Dividends LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) is a leading global chemicals, plastics, and polymers manufacturer with end markets that include packaging, automotive, and building materials. The chemical business has a cyclical aspect to it, so dividends aren’t a given, but the company seems well-positioned ...

Summary of Stepping Company Conference Call Company Overview - Stepping Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SCL [2] - The company focuses on priority growth markets with strategic tailwinds for growth and emphasizes customer-centric operations [3] Key Business Segments - The company operates in three reporting segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products [6] - Surfactants serve six key end markets: agricultural chemicals, oil field chemicals, construction and industrial applications, personal care products, household cleaning, and laundry [6] - The Polymers segment primarily focuses on rigid polyols for insulation products [7] - Specialty Products cater to niche markets such as beverages and baby formula [7] Growth Drivers - Demand for food is projected to grow significantly, driving agricultural chemicals [8] - Oilfield chemicals are expected to see growth due to increased productivity and energy efficiency [9] - Long-term government investments in infrastructure are anticipated to boost the construction and industrial solutions segment [9] - The shift towards natural ingredients in personal care products is a key market driver [10] Financial Performance and Investments - The company has made significant investments, including the largest capital investment in its history with a new coxylation facility in Pasadena, Texas [4][12] - Recent growth in agricultural and oilfield surfactants has been noted, with double-digit growth in the first half of the year [19] - The company aims to focus on high-margin, high-growth end markets to drive EBITDA and free cash flow [10] Customer Base Expansion - Stepping Company added approximately 1,800 new customers in the last year, indicating a strong trend in customer acquisition [15][29] - The company has a potential market of 22,000 new and existing customers for further sales opportunities [15] - The focus is on expanding into Tier two and Tier three customer bases, which are smaller accounts that can grow over time [31] Management and Strategy - The management team has undergone changes, with a new CEO appointed in October and a new CFO recently [27][43] - Executive compensation is aligned with strategic targets such as net income, EBITDA, and free cash flow growth [26] - The company is committed to returning cash to shareholders, having increased dividends for 57 consecutive years [23][39] Challenges and Market Conditions - Sales have been trending downwards over the past five years, influenced by raw material cost fluctuations and weakness in agricultural sales [17][18] - The company is focused on managing its balance sheet, currently at a net leverage of 2.9, with plans to deleverage further [25] Innovation and R&D - Stepping Company employs over 230 chemists and has 14 application centers globally, introducing 33 new products in 2024, which accounts for about 10% of revenue [12][42] - The company emphasizes customer-centric innovation, providing tailored solutions and technical support to clients [13] Conclusion - Stepping Company is positioned for growth through strategic investments, a focus on high-margin markets, and an expanding customer base, while navigating challenges in sales trends and market conditions [10][19]

Core Insights - Avient reported strong Q2 2025 results with adjusted EPS of $0.80, exceeding analyst expectations of $0.78, and revenue of $866.5 million, up from $849.7 million in Q2 2024, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of organic revenue growth [1][5][11] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) increased by 5.3% year-over-year from $0.76 in Q2 2024 to $0.80 in Q2 2025 [2] - Revenue rose by 2.0% year-over-year from $849.7 million in Q2 2024 to $866.5 million in Q2 2025, surpassing estimates of $852.87 million [2] - Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 17.2%, up 0.3 percentage points from 16.9% in Q2 2024 [2][5] - Operating income increased by 32.6% year-over-year from $72.5 million in Q2 2024 to $96.1 million in Q2 2025 [2] Business Overview - Avient operates in the specialty materials industry, focusing on polymers, colorants, additives, and engineered thermoplastics, with key markets in packaging, healthcare, defense, transportation, consumer goods, and energy [3][4] - The company invested $98.7 million in R&D in 2024, employing a technical workforce of around 1,100, including over 100 with doctoral degrees [3] Strategic Focus - Recent business strategies include expanding high-value applications, particularly in healthcare and defense, while maintaining operational agility and cost control [4] - The company emphasizes its global manufacturing footprint and customer partnerships to navigate regulatory changes and supply chain challenges [4] Segment Performance - The Color, Additives and Inks segment reported sales of $538.6 million, slightly down from the previous year, but operating income rose to $90.3 million due to strong demand in packaging [6] - The Specialty Engineered Materials segment saw a 7% increase in sales to $329.7 million, although operating income declined by 6.1% to $40.2 million, reflecting margin pressures [7] Cash Flow and Debt Management - Avient generated $113 million in cash flow from operations, using $50 million to reduce debt, aligning with its 2025 debt reduction target of $100–$200 million [8][9] Future Guidance - For Q3 2025, Avient forecasts adjusted EPS of $0.70 and narrows full-year guidance to $2.77–$2.87 [11] - The company anticipates continued margin expansion in defense and healthcare sectors, while monitoring cash management and working capital requirements [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported second quarter adjusted net income of $12 million, up 27% from $9.4 million in the prior year, driven by earnings growth in polymers and crop productivity, as well as a lower tax rate [9][11] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $51.4 million, an 8% increase from $47.7 million in the prior year [14] - Cash from operations was $11.2 million for the quarter, while free cash flow was negative at $14.4 million due to inventory builds [12][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Polymers delivered double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth, while surfactant adjusted EBITDA remained similar to last year, impacted by raw material inflation [6][7] - Surfactant net sales were $411.5 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, with selling prices up 11% [15] - Specialty product net sales increased by 22% to $20.5 million, but adjusted EBITDA decreased by 24% due to order timing fluctuations [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Volume grew 1%, with polymers up 7% and NCT product line up 49%, while surfactants volume was down 1% [8] - North America and European rigid polyols volume grew low single digits, while the commodity PA business showed strong year-over-year growth [8] - The company experienced double-digit volume growth in crop productivity and oilfield end markets, offset by lower demand in global commodity consumer products [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to recover margins gradually and continues to focus on customer acquisition within Tier two and Tier three segments [6][20] - Investments are being made in new product development, particularly in the spray foam end market and next-generation polytechnologies [22] - The company is on track to close the sale of its site in the Philippines in 2025 and is looking for opportunities to optimize its asset base [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about delivering full-year adjusted EBITDA and net income growth despite market uncertainties [24] - The company is focused on enhancing operational excellence to grow volume and improve product mix [23] - Management noted that the first half of the year was decent, with growth in adjusted EBITDA across surfactants, polymers, and specialty products [32] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate was 19.2% during the first half of the year, lower than the normal range of 24% to 26% due to favorable discrete items [13] - The company paid $8.7 million in dividends during the quarter and has increased dividends for 57 consecutive years [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on one-time impacts in the Surfactants business - Management confirmed that the $6 million includes startup costs from Pasadena, the EPA fine, and environmental remediation reserve adjustments [29][31] Question: Details on raw material impacts and pricing - Management indicated that coconut oil prices have significantly increased, and they are still catching up on price execution [34][35] Question: Effects of the new collective bargaining agreement in Millsdale - Management expressed satisfaction with the workforce and noted that the agreement is a routine event occurring every four years [37] Question: Insights on the AOS expansion and its beneficiaries - Management highlighted that AOS is crucial for sulfate-free business growth, targeting both Tier one and lower-tier clients [43] Question: Future asset optimization opportunities - Management stated they are continuously evaluating their asset base for productivity and return on investment, with no concrete plans yet [46] Question: Clarification on the tax benefit seen in the quarter - Management confirmed that the tax benefit was a one-time occurrence and the normal tax rate will return to the range of 24% to 26% [47]

Company Overview - H.B. Fuller is a global provider of specialty adhesives and chemical products, operating with over 7,500 employees and a diversified product portfolio [9] - The company produces adhesives, sealants, coatings, polymers, tapes, encapsulants, and specialty chemical products across various segments including hygiene, engineering, and construction [8] - H.B. Fuller serves multiple markets such as packaging, consumer goods, hygiene products, construction, transportation, electronics, and professional trades [8] Financial Metrics - The company's market capitalization is $3.30 billion [7] - Revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is $3.53 billion [7] - Net income for the TTM is $103.08 million [7] - The dividend yield stands at 1.13% [7] Insider Transactions - On July 10, 2025, Robert J Martsching executed insider transactions totaling 9,546 shares, resulting in post-transaction holdings of 14,979 shares [1] - The total transaction value was approximately $613,851, with a post-transaction holding value of approximately $963,208 as of July 10, 2025 [2][4] - The shares traded exceed Martsching's historical median of 1,513 shares, indicating a trend of larger transactions in 2025 [3] Market Context - The stock has experienced a one-year change of -29.00%, with the current share price approximately $3.93 (or 6.1%) below the transaction price as of July 17, 2025 [5] - Despite recent stagnation in sales and a decline in earnings per share (EPS) over the past three years, the company is expected to see modest EPS growth moving forward [13] Insider Activity Patterns - Martsching's trading activity follows a consistent pattern, with an average interval of 81 days between trades, and no purchases in the past twelve months [6]

In addition to its improved climate score, LYB also raised its water security score to a B and received its first- ever forests score, reinforcing its commitment to nature-related disclosure and responsible environmental stewardship. About LyondellBasell We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim ...