What stocks should I buy in the second half of 2026?

Buy Chlor-Alkali Chemical. Reason one: The chemical industry’s cyclical upturn has already begun, and the entire sector stands to benefit. Reason two: Its chemical industrial park in Qinzhou, Guangxi, will commence trial production in May 2026, with capacity ramp-up beginning in the second half of the year. Targeted annual output includes 300,000 tons of hydrogen peroxide, 300,000 tons of propylene oxide via direct hydrogen peroxide oxidation, 200,000 tons of polyether polyols (PPG), and 50,000 tons of polymer polyols (POP). Yet the current stock price does not reflect these upcoming catalysts. Reason three: Frequent policy support for the real estate sector signals clear signs of recovery; as an upstream supplier to real estate, the company will naturally benefit. Reason four: It is the leading chlor-alkali chemical enterprise in the Yangtze River Delta region. Its current share price is relatively low, with a P/E ratio of only 14.33 and a P/B ratio of 1.21. Its financial condition is sound, it is controlled by the Shanghai SASAC, and its historical financing-to-dividend ratio stands at 730%. Reason five: Its freely tradable market capitalization is only over RMB 2 billion, with highly concentrated shareholding. Should the chemical cycle recover rapidly, this would greatly facilitate upward price movement. This stock offers relatively high certainty, but comparatively lower upside potential.

PPG’s revenue remained flat at $15.9 billion last year, while net profit surged 17% to $1.6 billion.

According to disclosed information, in 2025, PPG’s aerospace business generated revenues distributed approximately as follows: commercial aviation (50%), military aviation (30%), and general aviation (20%). Within this segment, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) revenue accounted for about 50%, while aftermarket revenue also accounted for about 50%. Furthermore, revenues from sealants and adhesives/coatings, services and materials, and transparent materials represented approximately 55%, 30%, and 15%, respectively. 4 Industrial Coatings Segment Performance In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Industrial Coatings segment reported net sales of $1.641 billion, representing a 3% increase year-on-year. Organic sales rose 4% year-on-year. Sales volume increased by 5%, supported by market share gains that underpinned the segment’s strong performance relative to the broader industry. Price reductions stemming from certain index-based customer contracts were offset by favorable foreign currency translation effects. The divestiture of the silicates products business at the end of 2024 had an adverse impact of 3% on year-on-year sales comparisons. EBITDA for the segment increased 6% year-on-year to $247 million. Segment EBITDA margin improved by 30 basis points to 15.1% compared to Q4 2024, driven by higher sales volume and improved manufacturing efficiency—partially offset by lower selling prices under index-based contracts and the absence of earnings previously contributed by the divested silicates business. Automotive OEM Coatings: Organic sales grew by a low single-digit percentage versus Q4 2024, driven by higher sales volume, though partially offset by lower pricing under certain index-based customer contracts. Volume growth outpaced industry production growth due to market share gains and shifts in customer mix. In China, retail auto sales declined 6% sequentially, following a strong prior quarter. Year-to-date, Chinese auto exports have grown over 20% year-on-year. Industrial Coatings: Organic sales for industrial coatings were flat year-on-year in Q4 2025; volume gains were offset by lower pricing under index-based contracts. Industrial production was mixed: robust growth in the Asia-Pacific region, modest year-on-year growth in the U.S. and Europe, and a decline in Latin America. PPG’s volume growth was primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific, partially offset by volume declines in the U.S. and Latin America. Sales rose year-on-year across multiple product categories, notably transportation, heavy equipment, and extrusion products. The most notable weakness appeared in consumer electronics and kitchen/bakeware applications. Packaging Coatings: Organic sales for packaging coatings grew by a double-digit percentage year-on-year in Q4 2025. Although volumes increased, this growth was slightly tempered by lower pricing under index-based contracts. These results reflect positive momentum driven by market share gains in the U.S., Asia-Pacific, and Europe—bolstered by expanded European regulatory policies. Globally, demand for beverage packaging remains stable, and PPG’s volume growth has outpaced the overall market. Looking ahead, global industrial production is expected to remain relatively subdued in Q1, with modest improvements anticipated in the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific—partially offset by declining demand in Latin America.

PPG Industries Inc. Stock Underperforms Wednesday Despite Daily Gains

Oct 21, 2026

PPG Industries Inc. shares rose 1.44% to $110.17 on Wednesday, marking three consecutive days of gains, though trailing the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices.

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PPG Industries Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

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PPG Acquires Pavement Markings Manufacturer Ozark Materials