OEC

Orion S.A. OEC posted adjusted earnings of 14 cents per share in the second quarter of 2026, down 56.3% year over year but 27.3% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 11 cents. Net sales increased 7.4% year over year to $500.9 million and surpassed the consensus estimate of $474.5 million by 5.6%. Higher oil prices and favorable foreign currency translation supported sales, while lower pricing, reduced volumes and an unfavorable product mix in Rubber Carbon Black partly offset the gains. Specialty Carbon Black was the stronger segment, benefiting from improved pricing, mix and volumes. Orion S.A. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Orion S.A. Quote Specialty Carbon Black net sales increased 16.9% year over year to $184.8 million from $158.1 million. Volumes increased 3%, contributing to the sales improvement. The segment also benefited from 8% higher pricing, mainly due to higher year-over-year oil prices, a 4% favorable product mix and a 2% foreign exchange benefit. Demand remained strong in key Western regions, although Asian demand softened as polymer customers curtailed restocking activity. Adjusted EBITDA surged 96% year over year to $39 million, driven primarily by favorable pricing across most products and regions, higher oil prices and increased volumes. Rubber Carbon Black net sales rose 2.5% year over year to $316.1 million from $308.3 million. Volumes declined 3%, reflecting softer tire production trends in Orion's key geographic markets. Segment sales benefited from 5% higher pricing, including a 9% benefit from the pass-through of higher oil prices, which more than offset lower contractual pricing. A 3% foreign currency translation benefit also supported sales, while customer mix declined 3%. Adjusted EBITDA declined 60.7% to $19.2 million from $48.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Lower contractual pricing agreements for 2026, an unfavorable customer mix and the impact of an intentional inventory draw pressured profitability. OEC generated free cash flow of $1.9 million in the second quarter, improving sharply from the $48.5 million cash outflow recorded in the first quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities was $27.3 million. Capital expenditures were $25.4 million. Net debt stood at $960.7 million at the end of June. The net debt-to-trailing-12-month adjusted EBITDA ratio increased to 4.4X from 3.7X at year-end. For 2026, Orion reaffirmed its adjusted EBITDA guidance of $170-$210 million. Management said it remains comfortable with its full-year earnings expectations despite the volatile geopolitical and macroeconomic environment. The company also expects its ongoing cost-saving initiatives to deliver a full-year benefit of $20 million and remains on track for capital expenditures of about $90 million. OEC raised its 2026 free cash flow guidance to a range of a $10 million outflow to positive free cash flow of $20 million, reflecting progress on working-capital initiatives and expectations for easing global oil prices in the second half. The midpoint represents a $43 million improvement from the company's prior guidance. Management continues to prioritize positive cash flow generation for debt reduction. Shares of Orion have declined 32.8% in the past year compared with the 2.8% rise of the industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research OEC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks are Almonty Industries Inc. ALM, ClearSign Technologies Corporation CLIR and Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. AIT Almonty is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 13. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 10 cents per share. ALM carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. ClearSign is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 19. The consensus estimate for CLIR’s loss per share is pegged at 25 cents. CLIR presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Applied Industrial is scheduled to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 13. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIT’s fourth-quarter earnings per share is pegged at $2.92. AIT carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Orion S.A. (OEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) : Free Stock Analysis Report ClearSign Technologies Corporation (CLIR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Almonty Industries Inc. (ALM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Interested in Orion S.A.? Here are five stocks we like better. Orion’s Q2 adjusted EBITDA was $58 million, up 26% sequentially but down 15% year over year. The company reaffirmed its full-year EBITDA guidance of $170 million to $210 million and raised its outlook to slightly positive free cash flow at the midpoint. Specialty segment EBITDA nearly doubled year over year to $39 million, driven by 5% volume growth, pricing actions and favorable mix across coatings, wire and cable, packaging and battery-related products. Management cautioned that seasonal weakness and pricing-timing benefits could pressure the third quarter. Rubber EBITDA fell 61% year over year to $19 million due mainly to lower contractual pricing, while working-capital reductions and lower capital spending supported $2 million of quarterly free cash flow. Orion reported $961 million in net debt and a 4.4x net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio. Cabot Boosting Production In Lithium Battery Chain For EV Market Orion (NYSE:OEC) reported second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $58 million, up 26% sequentially but down 15% from a year earlier, as strong Specialty segment results were partly offset by lower Rubber segment contractual pricing. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $170 million to $210 million and raised its free-cash-flow outlook, now expecting slightly positive free cash flow at the midpoint of its range. Chief Executive Officer Corning Painter said the company executed well during an “extraordinary time,” citing demand strength in Specialty products, targeted pricing actions, improved plant reliability and working-capital initiatives. Orion generated $2 million in free cash flow in the second quarter, supported by $27 million of operating cash flow and lower capital expenditures. → Sandisk Just Delivered a Blowout Quarter—Here's Why the Stock Is Falling MarketBeat Week in Review – 2/27 - 3/3 Specialty adjusted EBITDA reached $39 million in the second quarter, rising 96% year over year and representing the segment’s strongest quarterly performance since early 2022. Chief Financial Officer Jon Puckett said the increase reflected a 5% rise in Specialty volumes, proactive pricing actions and favorable product mix. Specialty volume growth included nearly 10% growth in both Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the Americas. Demand was broad-based across end markets, with mid-single-digit growth in engineered plastics and double-digit gains in coatings, wire and cable, packaging and battery-related products, according to Puckett. → 4 Oil and Gas ETF Plays as Prices Stay Sky-High This Small Company Is Set To Drive Future Of Lithium Batteries The company said coatings demand was notable despite softness in global automotive original-equipment build rates. Orion cited growth in marine, protective and industrial coating applications. Wire-and-cable sales also increased at a double-digit rate, aided by newer conductive grades and energy and infrastructure market demand. Painter said the company’s pricing actions helped protect Specialty profitability amid volatile oil-derived feedstock costs. However, he cautioned that Specialty typically experiences some seasonal weakness in the third quarter, particularly because Europe is an important market and holiday periods affect demand. He also said that some benefits from pricing timing in the second quarter may not continue into the third quarter. → No Hangover: Revisiting Microsoft One Week After Earnings Rubber segment adjusted EBITDA was $19 million, down 61% from the prior-year quarter and flat sequentially. Puckett attributed the year-over-year decline primarily to lower 2026 contractual price agreements, as well as unfavorable customer mix and absorption effects from deliberate inventory reductions. While tire production rates remain below historical norms in Orion’s key regions, the company said tire sell-through has exceeded build rates and tire imports have been declining. Painter said the North American carbon black spot market was strong during the quarter, with demand exceeding Orion’s ability to accept incremental orders in some cases. “It is not our intent to hold capacity to back up competitors,” Painter said, referencing the company’s closure of several reactor lines last year. Management pointed to trade and regulatory developments as potentially favorable for local tire manufacturing. The European Commission finalized anti-dumping duties ranging from 24% to 45% on Chinese tire exports, excluding one exporter. Orion said Chinese tire imports into the European Union had dropped 75% from their earlier peak when the duties were initially expected. U.S. tire imports also declined year over year in each of the past four months, according to Painter. The company also cited announced investments by at least three global tire manufacturers in North American production facilities. Painter said plant closures should be viewed alongside manufacturers’ efforts to modernize and expand their most competitive operations. Orion said working capital provided $4 million of cash in the second quarter despite average oil-derived feedstock costs rising about 29% from the first quarter. Puckett said that, without mitigation, the increase in average feedstock costs would have represented an approximately $60 million working-capital headwind. Inventory reductions and improved vendor payment terms more than offset that impact, management said. Capital expenditures declined $11 million sequentially to $25 million, helping produce the quarter’s positive free cash flow. At quarter-end, Orion had net debt of $961 million, modestly below the first-quarter level. Its net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 4.4 times, and liquidity totaled $178 million. Painter said Orion remains on track to achieve $20 million in annualized gross benefits from cost measures spanning headcount, procurement and efficiency programs. The company is also targeting a third consecutive year of improved plant reliability, supported by operational-excellence efforts and maintenance capital spending focused on high-impact projects. Orion’s full-year outlook assumes crude oil prices average $80 per barrel during the second half of 2026. The company said its revised free-cash-flow outlook represents a $43 million full-year improvement, driven largely by working-capital actions that reduced the effects of higher feedstock costs. Management said its current guidance includes its best estimate for the timing of European emissions-credit developments, which Painter said are now expected to emerge in the third quarter. Painter said the company has limited visibility into second-half customer orders but believes its local-for-local production model, supply-chain flexibility and customer focus position it to navigate continued macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Orion Engineered Carbons SA, operating as Orion (NYSE: OEC), is a global producer of carbon black, a critical performance additive used to enhance the strength, durability and conductivity of various materials. The company’s products chiefly serve the tire and rubber industry, where carbon black imparts wear resistance and longevity, as well as the plastics, coatings, inks and battery components markets, where specialty grades deliver tailored conductivity and color properties. Orion’s product portfolio is organized into two core segments: Rubber and Specialty and Chemical Specialties. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Orion Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for August 2026.

Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. Specialty segment achieved its best quarterly performance since 2020, driven by broad-based volume gains and proactive pricing that mitigated extreme feedstock cost volatility. Management attributes demand strength to a 'local-for-local' sourcing trend as customers prioritize de-risked supply chains over imports. Operational excellence programs have led to three consecutive years of improved plant reliability, enabling structurally lower inventory levels and better forecast accuracy. The Rubber segment faced year-over-year headwinds from lower 2026 contractual pricing agreements, though sequential performance remained stable. Strategic diversification of raw material supply and production recipes has increased operational flexibility to navigate shifting energy markets. Management noted that North American rubber spot market demand exceeded their capacity, signaling underlying tightness despite tire production remaining below historical norms. Cost-saving initiatives across headcount and procurement remain on track to deliver an annualized gross benefit of $20 million. Full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance is reaffirmed at $170 million to $210 million, incorporating typical seasonal weakness in the third quarter. Free cash flow expectations were raised to $5 million at the midpoint, predicated on an assumed average Brent crude price of $80 per barrel for the second half of 2026. Management expects European anti-dumping duties on Chinese tires (24% to 45%) to reduce imports and catalyze a recovery in local EU tire production rates. Future carbon black consumption is expected to be supported by secular trends including EV adoption (higher tire wear), larger tire sizes, and stricter durability standards. The company intends to maintain improved vendor payment terms as a permanent structural enhancement to its cash flow profile. Inventory reduction and improved payment terms successfully offset a potential $60 million working capital headwind caused by rising oil-derived feedstock costs. The company intentionally reduced inventory levels, which created an absorption impact that weighed on Rubber segment earnings during the quarter. Management explicitly stated they will not hold excess capacity to serve as a backup for competitors, following the closure of several reactor lines last year. EU emissions credit impacts are currently expected to materialize in the third quarter, with the estimated effect already baked into the reaffirmed guidance. One stock. Nvidia-level potential. 30M+ investors trust Moby to find it first. Get the pick. Tap here. Negotiations have commenced with a more favorable setup than prior years due to reduced imports, regulatory actions, and visible tightness in the spot market. Management emphasized that customers have gained a renewed appreciation for supply reliability following recent global disruptions. While volume and mix were primary drivers of the Q2 beat, management noted that some gains from pricing timing may not repeat in the third quarter. Visibility into customer forecasts remains limited, and the third quarter is typically impacted by seasonal holiday slowdowns in Europe. Management does not anticipate production interruptions due to Carbon Black Oil (CBO) supply issues. The company utilizes its ability to switch to middle distillates when necessary to mitigate specific regional cost spikes or supply constraints.

Orion (OEC) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.14 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.11 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.32 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +27.27%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this producer of the chemcial additive carbon black would post earnings of $0.19 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.11, delivering a surprise of -157.89%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. Orion, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $500.9 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.56%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $466.4 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Orion shares have added about 26.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%. While Orion has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Orion was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.07 on $442.22 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.10 on $1.79 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the top 43% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Flexible Solutions International Inc. (FSI), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -93.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. Flexible Solutions International Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $11.72 million, up 3.1% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Orion S.A. (OEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Flexible Solutions International Inc. (FSI) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: August 06, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Orion SA (NYSE:OEC) reported a strong sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA, up 26% to $58 million in Q2 2026. The Specialty segment delivered its best quarterly performance since early 2022, with adjusted EBITDA nearly doubling year-over-year to $39 million. The company generated positive free cash flow of $2 million in Q2, a notable achievement given the surge in oil-derived feedstock costs. Working capital initiatives were highly effective, offsetting a $60 million headwind from higher feedstock costs and becoming a $4 million source of cash. The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance and raised its free cash flow outlook to $5 million at the midpoint. Favorable regulatory and trade actions, such as EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese tires, are expected to support local demand and improve fundamentals. The company is on track to deliver an annualized gross benefit of $20 million from cost initiatives, including headcount and procurement efficiencies. Orion SA (NYSE:OEC)'s overall adjusted EBITDA declined 15% year-over-year, primarily due to lower rubber segment annual pricing agreements. The Rubber segment's adjusted EBITDA fell 61% year-over-year, impacted by lower contractual pricing, unfavorable customer mix, and inventory absorption effects. The company faces significant macro uncertainty and limited order visibility into the second half of 2026. Tire production rates in key regions remain below historical norms, indicating continued softness in the rubber market. The company expects typical seasonal weakness in the Specialty segment during Q3, particularly in Europe due to holiday periods. Net debt remains high at $961 million, with a leverage ratio of 4.4 times adjusted EBITDA, though comfortably below credit agreement limits. The company noted that some gains from pricing timing in Q2 are not expected to continue, adding uncertainty to future performance. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with OEC. Is OEC fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Where are you in the contract negotiation process for the upcoming year, and what are the key factors driving those discussions? A: Corning Painter, CEO, stated that negotiations have started with some customers, following a typical sequencing pattern. While he couldn't provide specifics due to competitive sensitivity, he noted the setup this year is better, citing favorable factors like import regulations, regulatory actions, and observed spot market tightness. He also emphasized that customers have experienced the value of reliability this year, which strengthens Orion's position in negotiations. Q: With the strong uplift in specialty segment gross profit, how much of that improvement can be held into Q3, and will the favorable mix continue? A: Corning Painter, CEO, explained that the biggest drivers were volume and mix, which can fluctuate quarter to quarter. He noted there was likely some one-time gain from pricing timing that shouldn't be expected to continue. He highlighted that September is typically the biggest month, but visibility is limited, and he pointed to the company's reaffirmed guidance as the best indicator of expectations. Q: Will the improved payment terms with vendors continue into the next two quarters? A: Corning Painter, CEO, confirmed that the company intends to hold onto the improved payment terms, describing them as value created during this period. He stated this is part of how Orion will emerge stronger, indicating these terms are a permanent structural improvement rather than a temporary measure. Q: The company assumes $80 per barrel Brent average for the second half of 2026. Is specialty black pricing consistent with that oil price level? A: Corning Painter, CEO, clarified that while some specialty pricing is formula-based with a lag effect, the majority is open pricing. He noted that pricing actions, including surcharges, were implemented to reflect feedstock costs, and base pricing is expected to be maintained. The formula-based portion is designed to be neutral, with volume and mix being the primary drivers of quarterly performance. Q: Is the feedstock market for carbon black more or less tight compared to other petroleum liquids like jet fuel and diesel? A: Corning Painter, CEO, highlighted the industry's flexibility in sourcing, storage, and supply chains, which allows Orion to mitigate costs. While they sometimes use middle distillates, which are impacted by tightness in those markets, they have not had to interrupt production due to carbon black oil supply issues, demonstrating the effectiveness of their diversification efforts. Q: Can you discuss the timing and impact of EU emissions credits on the P&L and cash flow in the second half of the year? A: Corning Painter, CEO, stated that the timing has moved several times, but the company now believes the credits will be realized in the third quarter. He noted there has been significant discussion in Europe about potential adjustments, and Orion's best estimate for the impact is already included in the current guidance. Q: What is the outlook for specialty demand in the third quarter, particularly regarding potential headwinds from higher raw material costs? A: Corning Painter, CEO, indicated that specialty typically sees seasonal weakness in Q3, especially in Europe due to holiday periods. He acknowledged limited visibility into customer forecasts and noted there is no significant change in the outlook from customers at this point, suggesting stability despite the volatile macro environment. Q: Can you elaborate on the signs of tightness in the North American carbon black market and the company's approach to meeting spot demand? A: John Puckett, CFO, noted that despite overall year-on-year volume declines, there was strong spot demand in the rubber segment during Q2, exceeding Orion's capacity to accept incremental orders in some instances. He clarified that consistent with the closure of several reactor lines last year, it is not Orion's intent to hold capacity to back up competitors, domestic or otherwise. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Celanese (CE) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.45 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.21 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.44 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +10.86%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this chemical company would post earnings of $0.88 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.85, delivering a surprise of -3.41%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. Celanese, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $2.75 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.69%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.53 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Celanese shares have added about 3.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 11%. While Celanese has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Celanese was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.66 on $2.63 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $6.01 on $9.89 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the top 34% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. One other stock from the same industry, Orion (OEC), is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 5. This producer of the chemcial additive carbon black is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.11 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -65.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. Orion's revenues are expected to be $474.5 million, up 1.7% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Celanese Corporation (CE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Orion S.A. (OEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Sherwin-Williams (SHW) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.7 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.56 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.38 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +3.93%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this paint and coatings maker would post earnings of $2.24 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.35, delivering a surprise of +4.91%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Sherwin-Williams, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $6.79 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.58%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $6.31 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Sherwin-Williams shares have added about 1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%. While Sherwin-Williams has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Sherwin-Williams was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $3.58 on $6.64 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.78 on $24.69 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the top 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. One other stock from the same industry, Orion (OEC), is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 5. This producer of the chemcial additive carbon black is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.11 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -65.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. Orion's revenues are expected to be $474.5 million, up 1.7% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) : Free Stock Analysis Report Orion S.A. (OEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

HOUSTON, June 25, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2026 of $0.0207 per common share of the company, which is equivalent to the aggregate amount of approximately $1.2 million based on the number of common shares currently outstanding. The interim dividend will be paid on October 7, 2026, to holders of record as of the close of business in New York, NY, United States of America, on July 6, 2026. Luxembourg withholding tax at a rate of 15% will be deducted from each interim dividend, subject to exemptions and reductions in certain circumstances. About Orion S.A. Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers’ exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion has four innovation centers and produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company’s corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world’s longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers’ needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com. Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260625949215/en/ Contacts Christopher KapschOrion S.A.Vice President of Investor [email protected] Direct: +1 281-318-4413 William ForemanOrion S.A.Director of Corporate Communications and Government [email protected] Direct: +1 832-445-3305

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Orion (OEC). Shares have added about 0.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Orion due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Orion posted an adjusted loss of 11 cents per share in the first quarter of 2026 compared with adjusted earnings of 22 cents a year ago. The result missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents by 157.9%. Net sales were $459.5 million, down 3.8% year over year, and came in 0.5% below the consensus estimate of $461.9 million. Total volumes rose 1.9% to 256.5 thousand metric tons as demand strengthened late in the quarter.Management pointed to lower pricing tied to oil pass-through and an unfavorable mix as the primary headwinds, even as shipments improved late in the period.That pricing backdrop also weighed on profitability, particularly in Rubber Carbon Black, where the company cited calendar 2026 agreements and regional mix as major drags. Specialty Carbon Black was steadier, supported by the mix and favorable foreign exchange. Specialty Carbon Black delivered improved results, helped by stronger volumes and a favorable mix. Segment net sales increased 5.6% year over year to $169.7 million, while volumes rose 3.4% to 64 kmt. Adjusted EBITDA grew 6.7% to $27.1 million, supported by mix and positive foreign exchange, partially offset by absorption headwinds tied to inventory draw.Rubber Carbon Black remained the key pressure point. Segment net sales fell 8.6% to $289.8 million despite a 1.4% volume increase to 192.5 kmt. Adjusted EBITDA dropped 53.4% to $19 million as lower 2026 contractual prices, adverse regional mix and the pass-through effect of lower year-over-year oil costs more than offset the volume benefit. Orion recorded free cash outflow of $48.5 million in the quarter, reflecting typical seasonality and working-capital use. Net cash used in operating activities was $12.4 million, consistent with the company’s quarterly capital spending of $36 million. Net debt ended the quarter at $965.3 million, and the net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 4.2x. For 2026, Orion now expects adjusted EBITDA of $170-$210 million, up from the prior view of $160-$200 million. The company reiterated capital expenditures of about $90 million. Orion also updated its free cash flow framework, now calling for free cash outflow of $25-$50 million versus its prior expectation of free cash flow of $25-$50 million. It turns out, estimates revision have trended downward during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -21.43% due to these changes. Currently, Orion has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for value investors. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Orion has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Orion belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry. Another stock from the same industry, PPG Industries (PPG), has gained 2.8% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended March 2026. PPG Industries reported revenues of $3.93 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.7%. EPS of $1.83 for the same period compares with $1.72 a year ago. For the current quarter, PPG Industries is expected to post earnings of $2.25 per share, indicating a change of +1.4% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days. The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for PPG Industries. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of C. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Orion S.A. (OEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research