20 Companies! Chemical Giants’ 2024 Performance Summary!

【Answer 1】 In 2024, the company reported a consolidated operating loss of USD 697 million, adjusted EBIT of USD 1.6 billion (down 6% year-on-year), and operating EBITDA of USD 2.4 billion, with corresponding margins of (7%), 16%, and 23%. Additionally, Celanese announced its intention to cease production and shut down its Mylar specialty film manufacturing operation in Luxembourg—a 50/50 joint venture between Celanese and Teijin. This move aligns with the company’s core principle of exiting high-cost facilities. Lanxess On January 20, Lanxess issued an earnings preview, forecasting Q4 2024 EBITDA at approximately EUR 159 million—22% above the current market consensus of EUR 130 million (VARA consensus). Accordingly, full-year 2024 EBITDA before non-recurring items is expected to reach approximately EUR 614 million, up about 20% year-on-year and at the upper end of the previously guided 10–20% growth range. The Q4 results were primarily driven by stronger-than-expected December sales, particularly due to customer pre-purchasing. This early-sales effect occurred mainly in the U.S., targeting products from the Specialty Additives and Consumer Protection divisions. Huntsman On February 17, Huntsman Corporation released its 2024 financial results: full-year revenue totaled approximately USD 6.0 billion, with a net loss of USD 189 million. In Q4 2024 alone, revenue amounted to USD 1.452 billion; net loss attributable to Huntsman was USD 141 million, while adjusted net loss attributable to Huntsman stood at USD 43 million, and adjusted EBITDA reached USD 71 million. Huntsman’s performance for the first three quarters of 2024 was as follows: Q3 revenue was USD 1.54 billion with a net loss of USD 33 million; Q2 revenue was USD 1.574 billion with net income of USD 22 million; Q1 revenue was USD 1.47 billion with a net loss of USD 37 million. Syensqo On February 27, Syensqo released its 2024 financial results: net sales totaled EUR 6.6 billion, reflecting an organic decline of 3% year-on-year—primarily driven by price reductions (−4%). EBITDA amounted to EUR 1.4 billion, in line with expectations. Specifically, Q4 2024 net sales reached EUR 1.6 billion, representing an organic increase of 2% year-on-year—driven mainly by volume growth (+3%). Q4 EBITDA totaled EUR 298 million, up 5% organically year-on-year, with contributions from both the Materials and Consumer & Resources businesses. Furthermore, in 2025, Syensqo will continue evaluating initiatives to accelerate value creation—including asset divestitures—to become a more focused specialty chemicals company. Building on the already decided exit from oil & gas operations, the company plans to pursue a similar divestiture of its Fragrance & Functional Chemicals business. Meanwhile, the Board has approved exploring the possibility of a dual listing in the U.S., in addition to its existing listing in Brussels. SABIC On February 26, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) reported its fiscal year 2024 results, posting a net profit of SAR 1.5 billion (approximately RMB 2.905 billion), compared to a net loss of SAR 2.8 billion in 2023—marking a significant turnaround to profitability.

3 U.S.-Listed Mining Stocks Set to Benefit from the EV Boom

【Answer 2】 In Q2 2024, Eastman Chemical’s sales revenue increased 1.7% year-on-year to USD 2.36 billion. Its adjusted EBIT rose 5.1% year-on-year to USD 353 million, and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) grew 8% year-on-year to USD 2.15. Wall Street Analysts’ Outlook Wall Street analysts expect Eastman Chemical’s Q3 2024 revenue to rise 4.8% year-on-year to USD 2.38 billion. They also forecast EPS of USD 2.13, representing a 45.1% increase year-on-year—supported by the fact that Eastman has exceeded analyst EPS estimates in each of the past four consecutive quarters. Potential Risks Facing Eastman Chemical Stock Mengshou Finance believes Eastman Chemical stock may face the following potential risks: (1) Raw Material Price Volatility Risk: Raw material costs in the chemical industry are heavily influenced by crude oil prices; any fluctuations in the crude oil market could directly impact Eastman’s production costs and profit margins—and thereby affect its stock price. (2) Weak Demand Risk: A global economic slowdown or declining demand in specific markets—such as construction and automotive sectors—could reduce demand for Eastman’s products, negatively affecting its sales and profitability. (3) Environmental Regulation Pressure Risk: As global attention to environmental protection and sustainability intensifies, stricter environmental regulations could raise Eastman’s operational costs and restrict production of certain products. (4) International Trade Policy and Tariff Risk: Changes in global trade policies—especially tariff hikes—could impair Eastman’s export business, increasing costs or eroding its competitiveness in international markets. (5) Competitive and Product Innovation Risk: The chemical industry is highly competitive; Eastman must continuously innovate and improve its products to maintain market position. Falling behind competitors in new product development could lead to market share losses. (6) Supply Chain Disruption Risk: Any global supply chain disruption—such as raw material shortages or transportation bottlenecks—could hinder Eastman’s production and sales. (7) Workplace Safety and Accident Risk: The chemical industry carries numerous inherent safety hazards; any production accident could inflict substantial financial and reputational damage on Eastman. (8) Technological Change Risk: Emergence of new technologies could disrupt existing products and markets; if Eastman fails to adapt promptly, it risks falling behind and being overtaken by competitors. III. Glencore Company Overview Glencore is one of the world’s largest commodity trading companies, active across metals and mining, energy products, and agricultural commodities. Its marketing business provides procurement, logistics, transportation, storage, and financing services to global commodity producers and consumers. Core exposure lies in thermal coal, metallurgical coal, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and ferroalloys production. Unlike other major miners, Glencore plans to continue producing thermal coal until its mines are fully depleted, believing it preferable for Western-listed companies to own such assets—and then rehabilitate them according to Western standards. In July 2024, Glencore acquired 77% of Teck’s metallurgical coal business, further expanding its exposure to metallurgical coal.