PowerShares DWA Basic Materials Mom ETF
Latest PowerShares DWA Basic Materials Mom ETF News and Updates

Eastman Chemical Declares First-Quarter Dividend
In a press release on February 14, Eastman Chemical declared a dividend of $0.62.

Celanese’s ATEVA EVA Polymers: Higher Price
In a press release on March 13, Celanese (CE) announced that it would increase the price of its ATEVA EVA polymers.

Westlake Chemical Reported Disappointing Q4 Earnings
On February 19, Westlake Chemical (WLK) announced its fourth-quarter earnings. The company reported an adjusted EPS of $0.95.

Celanese Announced Higher Acetyl Intermediates Prices
On February 20, Celanese (CE) announced higher prices for acetyl intermediate products.

Celanese to Increase Acetyl Intermediates Prices
On January 31, Celanese (CE) announced that it would increase acetyl intermediates prices. The price increase is effective immediately.

H.B. Fuller Announced Its Fourth-Quarter Earnings
On January 16, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced its fourth-quarter earnings. In the fourth quarter, the company reported an adjusted EPS of $0.79.

PPG’s Performance Coatings’ Q4 Revenue Grows, Margin Remains Flat
PPG Industries’ Performance Coatings segment reported revenue of $2.14 billion in the fourth quarter, flat year-over-year.

Celanese Appointed a New General Counsel
On January 17, Celanese (CE) announced that it appointed A. Lynne Puckett as the company’s senior vice president and general counsel.

Westlake Chemical Completed the Nakan Acquisition
On January 2, Westlake Chemical (WLK) announced that it completed the Nakan acquisition.

Celanese Completed the Next Polymers Acquisition
Celanese announced that it completed the acquisition of Next Polymers. The acquisition will likely help Celanese improve its footprint in India.

Ashland Increases Composite Product Prices in India
On January 3, Ashland (ASH) announced that it will increase composite product prices. The price increase is limited to India.

IFF’s Dividend Yield Is at Its Highest—Is This Encouraging?
On December 24, International Flavors & Fragrances’ dividend yield was 2.27%, its highest quarterly dividend yield since the first quarter of 2013.

Celanese Increased VAM Prices in Asia outside China
On December 21, Celanese (CE) increased VAM (vinyl acetate monomer) prices. The price increase is only applicable to Asia outside China.

Analyzing Eastman Chemical’s Dividend in the Fourth Quarter
Eastman Chemical’s (EMN) fourth-quarter ex-dividend date is around the corner. Eastman Chemical will trade ex-dividend on December 14.

LyondellBasell: Analysts’ Views and Recommendations
For LyondellBasell, 30% of the analysts recommended a “buy,” 65% recommended a “hold,” and 5% recommended a “sell.”

Albemarle: What Institutional Activities Suggest
The 13F filings on September 30 indicate that institutional investors own ~93.4% of Albemarle’s (ALB) outstanding shares.

Analyzing Eastman Chemical’s Free Cash Flow
In the past five years, Eastman Chemical has generated an average free cash flow of $871.20 million.

Westlake Chemical Announced Its Fourth-Quarter Dividend
On November 16, Westlake Chemical (WLK) announced the key dates for its fourth-quarter dividend.

APD’s Industrial Gases–EMEA Segment: Lowest Margin in Two Years
In the fourth quarter, the Industrial Gases–EMEA segment’s total revenue contribution expanded by 0.7 percentage points YoY.

DowDuPont’s Material Science Revenues Rose in Q3
DowDuPont’s (DWDP) Material Science segment, which will be spun off and called Dow by the end of Q1 2019, accounted for 61.7% of DWDP’s total revenues in Q3 2018.

IFF: How Much Upside Do Analysts See?
For International Flavors and Fragrances, 42% of the analysts recommended a “buy,” 42% recommended a “hold,” and 16% recommended a “sell.”

Celanese Increases Prices of Ethyl Acetate in the Americas
On October 22, Celanese (CE) announced that it would be increasing the prices of ethyl acetate in the Americas region.

Why PPG’s Performance Coatings Segment Margins Declined
PPG Industries’ (PPG) Performance Coatings segment is the most significant contributor to the company’s overall revenue in Q3 2018.

PPG Industries’ Short Interest Could Increase after Its Earnings
In terms of PPG Industries’ number of shares, the short interest was 6.0 million. The company’s average trading volume is 1.65 million shares.

PolyOne Increased Its Quarterly Dividend
On October 11, PolyOne declared its quarterly cash dividend. The press release said that PolyOne would pay a dividend of $0.195 per share.

Celanese Acquires Next Polymers
On October 11, Celanese (CE) announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Next Polymers.

Celanese’s Debt Trend in 2018: Where Is It Headed?
At the end of the second quarter of 2018, Celanese (CE) reported debt of ~$.3.6 billion.

Westlake Chemical Increased Its Quarterly Dividend
On August 17, Westlake Chemical (WLK) increased its quarterly dividend. Westlake Chemical will pay $0.25 per share.

Celanese Obtained Four New Patents for Its Sunett Sweetener
The news about new patents didn’t have a positive impact on Celanese stock. The stock declined 0.7% and closed at $115.69 for the week ending August 17.

Why Short Interest in PPG Industries Is on the Rise
The latest short interest data from July 31 indicate that PPG Industries’ short interest has been increasing since the beginning of 2018.

Celanese Announces Price Increase on Acetyl Intermediate Prices
On August 9, Celanese (CE) announced a price hike for several acetyl intermediate products. The price hike is related to the Asia region.

How APD’s Industrial Gases–EMEA Segment Performed in Fiscal Q3
In fiscal Q3 2018, Air Products and Chemicals’ (APD) Industrial Gases–EMEA segment’s total revenue contribution expanded 3.5 percentage points YoY to 24.8% from 21.3%.

Why PPG’s Industrial Coatings Segment Margin Declined in Q2
PPG Industries’ (PPG) Industrial Coatings segment represented 39.5% of the company’s total revenue in Q2 2018 compared to 39.6% in Q2 2017.

Who Are the Top Institutional Investors in APD?
The 13F filings by institutional investors as of March 31 indicate that institutional investors own 87.0% of Air Products and Chemical’s (APD) outstanding shares.

Is Eastman Chemical Overvalued or Undervalued Compared to Peers?
As of June 12, Eastman Chemical (EMN) was trading at a one-year forward PE multiple of 12.3x.

Chemours to Raise Its Debt: Good or Bad?
At the end of the first quarter, Chemours’s (CC) debt stood at $4.1 billion. It is now on its way to adding 450 million euros in 4% senior notes.

Can 1Q18 Earnings Help LyondellBasell Retain Premium over Peers?
As of April 20, 2018, LyondellBasell’s one-year forward PE (price-to-earnings ratio) stands at 10.2x.

Albemarle’s Lithium and Advanced Materials Segment in 4Q17
Albemarle’s (ALB) Lithium and Advanced Materials segment is its largest revenue contributor, accounting for 42.2% of its total revenues in 4Q17.

PolyOne Begins 2018 with Acquisition of IQAP Masterbatch Group
On January 2, 2018, PolyOne (POL) announced that it acquired Spain-based IQAP Masterbatch Group.

International Flavors & Fragrances’ Interest Coverage Ratio
International Flavors & Fragrances’ (IFF) increased debt has resulted in higher interest expense.

Westlake Announces Optional Redemption of Senior Notes
On December 18, 2017, Westlake Chemical (WLK) announced that it had sent notices about the optional redemption of $688 million in senior notes.

What Could Boost RPM International’s Fiscal 2Q18 Revenue
Analysts’ revenue expectations As of December 20, 2017, analysts expected RPM International (RPM) to report revenue of $1.3 billion in fiscal 2Q18. The expected revenue represents growth of 6.7% year-over-year. In fiscal 2Q17, RPM reported revenue of $1.2 billion. Between 2012 and 2017, RPM’s second-quarter revenue grew at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of […]

H.B. Fuller Opens a New Facility in Germany
On November 28, 2017, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced that it has started a new Automotive Competency Center in Mannheim, Germany.

H.B. Fuller Finalizes Its Adecol Deal
On November 6, 2017, H.B. Fuller (FUL) provided its acquisition plans for Adecol Indústria Química, a Brazilian company.

RPM International Increases Its Quarterly Dividend
On October 5, 2017, RPM International (RPM) announced an increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share—a YoY rise of 6.7%.

H.B. Fuller Inducts Ruth Kimmelshue to Its Board of Directors
On October 4, 2017, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced that Ruth Kimmelshue had been appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.

Can RPM International Outperform the Analysts’ Revenue Estimate for Fiscal 1Q18?
As of September 25, 2017, analysts have forecasted that RPM will report revenues of $1.32 billion for fiscal 1Q18, which would be a 5.5% rise over fiscal 1Q17.

Celanese Continues to Hike Its Product Prices
On September 14, 2017, Celanese (CE) announced that it’s increasing the prices for several of its products across different regions.

Chemours: Analysts’ Recommendations and More
For Chemours, 88% of the analysts recommended a “buy,” 12% of the analysts recommended a “hold,” and none of the analysts recommended a “sell.”

Chemours: Analyzing Its 3Q17 Dividend
On September 15, 2017, Chemours (CC) will pay the 3Q17 dividend on its outstanding common shares. It has declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per share.

Celanese: Another Round of Price Hikes on Some Products
Celanese’s stock price fell 1.3% and closed at $96.78 for the week ending September 8, 2017. It traded 4.40% above the 100-day moving average price.

H.B. Fuller to Acquire Royal Adhesives and Sealants
On September 4, 2017, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Royal Adhesives and Sealants.

Is LyondellBasell Stock Undervalued Compared to Its Peer?
As of September 7, 2017, LyondellBasell’s one-year forward PE multiple stands at 9.80x, while Eastman Chemical has one-year forward PE multiple of 10.70x.

Ashland Hikes Prices of Gelcoat in EMEA
On August 25, 2017, Ashland (ASH) announced that it would hike the prices of its Gelcoat portfolio. The price hike will be 75 euros per metric ton.

Celanese Increased Vinyl Acetate Monomer Prices
Celanese stock fell 1.0% and closed at $95.77. Despite the fall in the prices, the stock was trading 4.3% above the 100-day moving average price of $91.78.

Albemarle’s 2Q17 Revenues Rose on Higher Volumes
ALB has guided its fiscal 2017 revenues to be in the range of ~$2.9 billion–$3.1 billion.

Celanese Impacts Price Hikes on Acetyl Intermediates
On August 2, 2017, Celanese (CE) announced that it’s increasing the prices of a few acetyl intermediates. The price increase will be effective immediately.

Chemours Stock Fell despite Strong Earnings in 2Q17
Chemours (CC) reported its 2Q17 earnings on August 2, 2017, after the markets closed. The company’s management held a conference call on August 3, 2017.

Why Air Products & Chemicals’ Revenue Rose in 3Q17
Air Products & Chemicals (APD) follows October 1–September 30 as its fiscal year. The company reported revenue of $2.11 billion.

H.B. Fuller Will Acquire Adecol
H.B. Fuller had a quiet week with a meager gain of 0.1% for the week ending July 21, 2017. The stock closed at $51.50.

Inside Celanese’s Price Hikes Products
On July 12, 2017, Celanese (CE) announced that it will be increasing the prices of a few of its acetyl intermediate products.

International Flavors and Fragrances Launches New Company
IFF fell 0.8% for the week ended June 30, 2017, and closed at $135.00.

Why LyondellBasell Is Trading at a Discount to Peers
As of June 26, 2017, LyondellBasell’s one-year forward PE (price-to-earnings) multiple stood at 8.50x.

Behind Chemours’ Debt Development since Its Spin-Off
When Chemours (CC) was spun off from DuPont (DD) on July 1, 2015, many believed that CC was doomed to fail.

Analysts’ View on International Flavors & Fragrances
For International Flavors & Fragrances, 33% of the analysts recommended a “buy,” 60% recommended a “hold,” and 7% recommended a “sell.”

Celanese Raises Product Prices in Europe and Asia
On June 13, 2017, Celanese (CE) increased the prices of methyl isobutyl carbinol (or MIBC) in Europe.

PolyOne Acquired Rutland Holding Company
On June 8, 2017, PolyOne (POL) announced that it acquired Rutland Holding Company. The acquisition will help PolyOne expand its portfolio.

Why Did IFF’s Earnings Beat Analysts’ Estimates?
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) announced its 1Q17 earnings on May 8, 2017, after the market closed. It reported adjusted EPS of $1.52 in 1Q17.

Air Products & Chemicals Stock: 2017 Performance So Far
As of March 29, 2017, Air Products & Chemicals’ (APD) year-to-date stock performance was negative, falling 4.9% to date.

HB Fuller Expands in India with New R&D Center
On March 21, 2017, HB Fuller (FUL) announced that it had officially opened its new business office and research and development center at its Shirwal manufacturing facility in India.

Celanese Increases Vinyl Acetate Monomer Prices in Asia
On March 7, 2017, Celanese (CE) announced a price increase for VAM (vinyl acetate monomer) in Asia. The increase is effective immediately.

H.B. Fuller Has Another Round of Price Hikes
On March 7, 2016, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced another round of price hikes for its products. It came on the back of other price hikes the week before.

H.B. Fuller Increases Price for Adhesives in North America
On March 3, 2017, H.B. Fuller (FUL) announced price increases for its adhesives in the North American region.

Ratner Leaves RPM International’s Board of Directors
On February 24, 2017, RPM International (RPM) announced that Charles Ratner would be retiring from RPM’s board of directors after serving the company for 12 years.

What Are Analysts’ Recommendations for Chemours?
After Chemours’ 4Q16 earnings, 38.0% of the analysts recommended a “buy” for the stock, 50.0% recommended a “hold,” and 12.0% recommended a “sell.”

Chemours Beat Analysts’ 4Q16 Revenue Estimates
Chemours (CC) reported its 4Q16 results on February 15, 2017, after the markets closed. Chemours reported 4Q16 revenue of $1.32 billion.

What Are Analysts Recommending for Chemours ahead of 4Q16?
As of February 9, 2017, eight brokerage firms are actively tracking Chemours (CC) stock. About 25.0% of them have recommended a “buy” for the stock.

RPM International Has Acquired Prime Resins
On January 17, 2017, RPM International (RPM) announced that it has acquired Prime Resins. The acquisition will be integrated into RPM’s USL Group.

RPM International to Acquire SPS Group
On December 21, RPM announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire SPS Group.

How Did IFF’s Fragrances Segment Perform in 3Q16?
IFF’s Fragrances segment reported revenues of ~$410.1 million in 3Q16, as compared to $406 million in 3Q15, implying a 1.0% YoY rise.

Analysts Are Truly Divided on Chemours after Its 3Q16 Earnings
Among the analysts covering Chemours’ stock, 33.33% analysts recommended a “buy,” while 33.33% issued a “hold,” and the remaining 33.33% issued a “sell.”

Why Did the Chemours Chemical Solutions Segment’s Revenue Dip in 3Q16?
Chemours’ Chemical Solutions segment reported revenue of $182 million in 3Q16, as compared to $295 million in 3Q15, implying a revenue fall of 38.2% YoY.

Can IFF Surprise Analysts with a Higher Net Profit Margin?
Wall Street analysts are expecting International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) to post a net profit margin of 14.6% in 3Q16, compared to 14.7% in 2Q16.

Can IFF Break the Jinx of the $700 Million Revenue Range?
Analysts are expecting International Flavors and Fragrances to post revenue of $787.20 in 3Q16, implying a 2.9% rise in its projected revenue on a year-over-year basis.

IFF Is Trading High: Can This Continue ahead of Its 3Q16 Results?
International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) is set to report its 3Q16 earnings after the market closes on November 7, 2016.

PolyOne Will Manufacture Specialty Materials in India
On October 12, 2016, PolyOne (POL) announced that it would produce specialty engineered materials at its existing facility in Pune, India.

RPM International’s Fiscal 1Q17 Earnings Beat Analysts’ Estimates
RPM International reported adjusted EPS (or earnings per share) of $0.83, which beat analysts’ estimate of $0.80.

Can Celanese Outperform Analysts’ Revenue Estimates in 2Q16?
Celanese (CE) will announce its 2Q16 earnings report on July 26, 2016. In this series, we’ll look at the company’s 2016 guidance and valuations, analysts’ expectations, and other factors that could help investors make informed decisions.

Can Eastman’s Additives & Functional Products Segment Deliver?
Eastman Chemical’s (EMN) Additives & Functional Products segment is the company’s strongest segment. It has grown significantly since 1Q14.