The current dividend yield is very attractive and a rare sight within the sector, but investors should not assume that it is risk-free. Given the company's current cash flow and potential profitability improvements from restructuring, a dividend cut appears unlikely. However, the risk of demand in key end-markets deteriorating further is not to be ignored and investors should keep some more dry-powder at hand.
LYB faces significant near-term headwinds with weak demand, margin pressure, and trade-related challenges, reflected in a 7.6% sales decline and lower EPS. Operational inefficiencies, outages, and higher feedstock costs have further compressed margins, but some recovery in utilization rates is expected in upcoming quarters. Long-term prospects are supported by ongoing cost reductions, asset rationalization, and strategic investments in projects like Flex-2 and MoReTec-1 for efficiency and sustainability.
LyondellBasell looks to be near a cyclical low, trading at levels not seen since 2020, with a historically high 9.5% yield and low forward P/E multiples. Earnings and EPS estimates have collapsed, with 2025 estimates down 55% in 6 months and no clear bottom yet in petrochemical demand. This is a risk to consider. Still, management is executing well - cutting costs, exiting underperforming assets, and prioritizing the dividend.
Initiate on LYB with a Strong Buy rating based on rapid cost savings execution and underappreciated margin normalization outlook. Valuation: 39% upside to our $78 PT on a conservative 5.9x forward EV/EBITDA multiple applied to consensus-beating estimates. Economic Earnings: We estimate LYB will generate $4.1bn of FY25E EBITDA and $4.25bn of FY26E EBITDA, both well above The street.
LYB is a compelling contrarian buy, driven by comforting free cash flow yields, even if dividend yields reduce to 6-7%. The company is transitioning from cyclical commodities to higher-margin specialty and circular solutions, supporting multiple expansion and resilient free cash flow. LYB benefits from cost advantages, local production, and investments in blue hydrogen and carbon capture, with downside risks largely priced in.
LYB raises quarterly dividend to $1.37, marking 15 straight years of growth and reinforcing its shareholder value strategy.
LyondellBasell is a global leader in chemicals, currently streamlining operations to boost profitability amid a 22.2% YTD drop in share prices. The company is shutting down its Houston refinery and focusing on high-margin specialty chemicals and sustainable products to improve profitability. Despite weak industrial demand and geopolitical tensions, LYB benefits from lower feedstock costs and strong demand in emerging markets.
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for LyondellBasell (LYB) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended March 2025, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
The decline in LYB's Olefins performance is mainly due to reduced ethylene margins caused by higher energy costs and lower prices for co-products.
LyondellBasell (LYB) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.33 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.36 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.53 per share a year ago.
LyondellBasell's 9.3% dividend yield may seem appealing, but I don't believe that payout is all that sustainable. The chemical industry faces significant risks from tariffs, a potential recession, and falling crude oil prices, impacting LYB's financial stability. Analysts see vulnerability due to reduced polyethylene exports and increased competition from alternative suppliers.
LYB is expected to have benefited from demand improvements across most of its businesses amid headwinds from winter storm-related disruptions.