WLK

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Westlake (WLK). Shares have lost about 13.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Westlake due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Westlake Corporation before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late. Westlake logged an adjusted loss of 77 cents per share for the first quarter of 2026, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 22 cents. The adjusted loss widened 196.2% from a loss of 26 cents a year ago. Net sales were $2.65 billion, down 6.8% year over year and missing the consensus mark of $2.87 billion by 7.7%. On the commercial side, overall sales volume (excluding plant closures and the ACI acquisition) fell 0.6%, and average sales price declined 2.5% from the year-ago quarter. PEM net sales were $1,659 billion, down 10.3% from the year-ago quarter. It lagged our estimate of $1,823 million. The segment posted a loss from operations of $211 million, wider than the $163 million loss a year ago, as a 3% decline in average sales price was only partly offset by margin benefits from footprint optimization and cost-saving actions. Within PEM, performance materials net sales slipped primarily due to lower polyethylene and PVC resin pricing and lower PVC resin sales volume tied to footprint optimization. Essential materials net sales were down mainly due to lower chlorine and caustic soda sales volume. PEM margins began improving late in the quarter amid supply chain disruption tied to the Middle East conflict. Management pointed to significantly higher PVC resin and polyethylene sales prices after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, driven by a steepening global cost curve from sharply higher global feedstock and energy prices. HIP net sales were $993 million, essentially flat year over year. The figure missed our estimate of $1,047 million. Income from operations was $56 million, down $92 million, as lower average sales prices and margins, particularly in Pipe & Fittings, and lower sales volume (excluding the ACI acquisition), weighed on results. Operationally, the quarter reflected a split backdrop. Management highlighted c...

$0.53 per share dividend declared payable on June 11, 2026 HOUSTON, May 15, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) today declared a regular dividend distribution of $0.53 per share for the first quarter of 2026. This dividend will be payable on June 11, 2026 to stockholders of record on May 27, 2026. Westlake announced its first dividend on November 11, 2004 and has successively been paying and increasing its dividend for the past 22 years. The statements in this release that are not historical facts, including statements regarding future payment of dividend, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. For more detailed information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to Westlake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC in February 2026, and Westlake’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, which was filed with the SEC in May 2026, respectively. About Westlake Celebrating 40 years of operations in 2026, Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer goods. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.westlake.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260515810444/en/ Contacts Media Inquiries: Westlake Corp.Ben Ederington, 713-960-9111 or Investor Inquiries: Westlake Corp.Steve Bender, 713-960-9111

As you might know, Westlake Corporation (NYSE:WLK) last week released its latest quarterly, and things did not turn out so great for shareholders. It was a pretty negative result overall, with revenues of US$2.7b missing analyst predictions by 4.8%. Worse, the business reported a statutory loss of US$1.31 per share, much larger than the analysts had forecast prior to the result. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Following the latest results, Westlake's 13 analysts are now forecasting revenues of US$12.0b in 2026. This would be a notable 9.8% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Westlake is also expected to turn profitable, with statutory earnings of US$3.42 per share. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$11.9b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.07 in 2026. There was no real change to the revenue estimates, but the analysts do seem more bullish on earnings, given the sizeable expansion in earnings per share expectations following these results. Check out our latest analysis for Westlake There's been no major changes to the consensus price target of US$118, suggesting that the improved earnings per share outlook is not enough to have a long-term positive impact on the stock's valuation. There's another way to think about price targets though, and that's to look at the range of price targets put forward by analysts, because a wide range of estimates could suggest a diverse view on possible outcomes for the business. The most optimistic Westlake analyst has a price target of US$145 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at US$90.00. There are definitely some different views on the stock, but the range of estimates is not wide enough as to imply that the situation is unforecastable, in our view. Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. It's clear from the latest es...

Performance stability is anchored by a fixed-margin ethylene sales agreement with Westlake Corporation, which insulates the partnership from market volatility and production risks. First quarter results benefited from higher third-party average sales prices, which helped offset slightly lower production and sales volumes compared to the previous quarter. Year-over-year growth in net income and distributable cash flow was primarily driven by the absence of the Petro 1 planned turnaround that occurred in the first quarter of 2025. The partnership maintains a conservative financial profile with a consolidated leverage ratio of approximately 1x and a trailing 12-month coverage ratio that improved to 1x. Management highlighted the resilience of their fee-based cash flow model, which has supported 47 consecutive quarterly distributions without reduction since the 2014 IPO. Global supply disruptions in the Middle East are driving international customers toward North American sourcing, benefiting the approximately 5% of production sold to third parties. Management identified four primary growth levers: increasing ownership in OpCo, acquiring new qualified income streams, organic expansions, and negotiating higher fixed margins. The partnership has no planned turnarounds for the full year of 2026, providing a clear runway for consistent production and cash flow generation. Future performance in the third-party sales segment is contingent on sustained elevated ethylene pricing driven by geopolitical factors and North American demand shifts. A leadership transition is underway, with Jon Baksht set to succeed Steve Bender as CFO on June 15, 2026, to oversee the next phase of financial strategy. 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. The transition of Steve Bender to a Special Adviser role on June 15 ensures continuity during the CFO leadership change. Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is cited as a significant driver of oil and chemical feedstock volatility, creating a tailwind for North American ethylene pricing. The partnership's cumulative distribution coverage ratio remains at approximately 1x, sustaining distributions without requiring access to capital markets. Management confirmed they took advantage of rising ethylene prices in March by sellin...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET Executive Chairman — Albert Chao President and Chief Executive Officer — Jean-Marc Gilson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer — Steve Bender Vice President, Investor Relations — Jeff Holy Jeff Holy: Thank you, Crystal. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Westlake Corporation conference call to discuss our first quarter 2026 results. I'm joined today by Albert Chao, our Executive Chairman; Jean-Marc Gilson, our President and CEO; Steve Bender, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and other members of our management team. During the call, we will refer to our 2 reporting segments: Performance and Essential Materials, which we refer to as PEM or Materials; and Housing and Infrastructure Products, which we refer to as HIP or Products. Today's conference call will begin with Jean-Marc, who will open with a few comments regarding Westlake's first quarter performance. Steve will then discuss our financial and operating results, after which Jean-Marc will add a few concluding comments, and we will open the call up to questions. During the first quarter of 2026, we agreed to pay $67 million to settle certain legal claims in our pipe and fittings business. We also incurred expenses of $18 million related to the shutdown of facilities undertaken last year. We refer to these expense items, which in aggregate were $85 million as the identified items in our earnings release and on this conference call. References to income from operations, EBITDA, net income and earnings per share on this call all exclude the financial impact of the identified items. As such, comments made on this call will be in regard to our underlying business results using non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures is provided in our earnings release, which is available in the Investor Relations section of our website. Today, management is going to discuss certain topics that will contain forward-looking information that is based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements suggest predictions or expectations and thus are subject to risks or uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in Westlake's Form 10-K for the yea...

Management attributed late-quarter momentum to the Middle East conflict, which disrupted 10% to 15% of global polyethylene and 5% of PVC resin supply, driving global customers toward Westlake's North American assets. The company's gas-based feedstock position provided a significant competitive advantage as global oil and naphtha prices spiked, steepening the cost curve for international competitors. The '3-pillar' profitability improvement plan delivered approximately $150 million in EBITDA uplift during Q1, primarily through footprint optimization and structural cost savings. Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) results were tempered by a $45 million headwind from unusually high natural gas prices in January and February due to extreme cold weather. Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) saw a seasonal volume increase of 15% sequentially, though results were impacted by a slow start to the homebuilding season and price resets from late 2025. The Epoxy business returned to profitability for the first time since 2023, following aggressive footprint optimization actions that eliminated previous annual EBITDA losses exceeding $100 million. Management expects global supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict to persist throughout 2026, supporting sustained pricing momentum for North American producers. The company reaffirmed its target of $600 million in total EBITDA uplift for 2026 from its profitability improvement plan, with the remaining $450 million expected to accrue over the next three quarters. HIP revenue and margin guidance was narrowed to the lower end of the $4.4 billion to $4.6 billion range due to housing affordability concerns and rising raw material costs. Capital expenditures for 2026 are projected at $900 million, a $100 million reduction from the prior year, aligning spend with annual depreciation. A nonbinding letter of intent to acquire a PVC and VCM plant in Germany is intended to leverage deep-sea logistical infrastructure for low-cost feedstock access in Europe. Westlake recorded an $85 million aggregate charge for identified items, including a $67 million legal settlement in the pipe and fittings business and $18 million in facility shutdown expenses. A $50 million cash outlay occurred in Q1 related to 2025 footprint optimization, with another $50 million in cash spending anticipated for the remainder of 2026. Management fl...

Westlake Corporation WLK logged an adjusted loss of 77 cents per share for the first quarter of 2026, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 22 cents. The adjusted loss widened 196.2% from a loss of 26 cents a year ago. Net sales were $2.65 billion, down 6.8% year over year and missing the consensus mark of $2.87 billion by 7.7%. On the commercial side, overall sales volume (excluding plant closures and the ACI acquisition) fell 0.6%, and average sales price declined 2.5% from the year-ago quarter. Westlake Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Westlake Corporation Quote Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) net sales were $1,659 billion, down 10.3% from the year-ago quarter. It lagged our estimate of $1,823 million. The segment posted a loss from operations of $211 million, wider than the $163 million loss a year ago, as a 3% decline in average sales price was only partly offset by margin benefits from footprint optimization and cost-saving actions. Within PEM, performance materials net sales slipped primarily due to lower polyethylene and PVC resin pricing and lower PVC resin sales volume tied to footprint optimization. Essential materials net sales were down mainly due to lower chlorine and caustic soda sales volume. PEM margins began improving late in the quarter amid supply chain disruption tied to the Middle East conflict. Management pointed to significantly higher PVC resin and polyethylene sales prices after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, driven by a steepening global cost curve from sharply higher global feedstock and energy prices. Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) net sales were $993 million, essentially flat year over year. The figure missed our estimate of $1,047 million. Income from operations was $56 million, down $92 million, as lower average sales prices and margins, particularly in Pipe & Fittings, and lower sales volume (excluding the ACI acquisition), weighed on results. Operationally, the quarter reflected a split backdrop. Management highlighted continued strength in infrastructure spending supporting pipe-and-fittings volumes, including demand tied to new data centers, while subdued North American residential construction activity and pricing pressure offset those benefits. Westlake also continues integrating ACI, acquired in January 2026, which management said improved HIP’s exposure to the h...

Westlake (WLK) reported $2.65 billion in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 6.8%. EPS of -$0.77 for the same period compares to -$0.31 a year ago. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.87 billion, representing a surprise of -7.7%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -253.54%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.22. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately. Here is how Westlake performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Net external sales- Performance and Essential Materials: $1.66 billion versus $1.82 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -10.3% change. Net external sales- Housing and Infrastructure Products: $993 million versus $1.05 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -0.3% change. Net external sales- Performance and Essential Materials- Performance Materials: $1 billion compared to the $1.04 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -5% year over year. Net external sales- Performance and Essential Materials- Essential Materials: $656 million versus $780.11 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -17.4% change. Net external sales- Housing and Infrastructure Products- Housing Products: $788 million compared to the $861.88 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -6% year over year. Net external sales- Housing and Infrastructure Products- Infrastructure Products: $205 million compared to the $160.35 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +29.8% year over year. EBITDA- Housing and Infrastructure Products: $118 m...

Westlake Corporation (NYSE:WLK) reported first-quarter results that came in well below expectations, sending its stock sharply lower in premarket trading. Shares dropped 16% following the announcement. The chemical producer posted an adjusted loss of -$0.77 per share, significantly wider than the analyst consensus of -$0.17. Revenue totaled $2.65 billion, missing estimates of $2.78 billion and declining 7% year over year from $2.85 billion in the same period of 2025. Results were weighed down by a $67 million litigation settlement tied to PVC pipe and fittings, along with $18 million in charges related to previously announced facility shutdowns. “The first quarter of 2026 began to reflect our cost reduction initiatives announced in 2025. Late in the first quarter we began to see margin improvement in the PEM segment as a result of the Iranian conflict,” said Jean-Marc Gilson, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Housing and Infrastructure Products segment generated $993 million in revenue, roughly flat compared to $996 million a year earlier. Segment operating income, excluding certain items, declined by $24 million year over year to $124 million, pressured by lower pricing and margins, particularly in Pipe & Fittings, as well as reduced volumes in Building Products. The Performance and Essential Materials segment reported revenue of $1.66 billion, down 10% from $1.85 billion in the prior-year quarter. The segment recorded an operating loss of $194 million, compared to a loss of $156 million a year earlier, reflecting weaker pricing despite some margin improvement from optimization efforts. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding identified items, came in at $235 million, down 20% from $295 million in the first quarter of 2025. The company also reported net cash used in operating activities of $94 million, alongside capital expenditures of $209 million. Westlake Corporation stock price

As Central Garden & Pet Company CENT prepares to unveil its fiscal second-quarter 2026 results on May 06, after market close, investors are eager to see if the company can beat market expectations. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $837.6 million, implying 0.5% growth from the prior year. Meanwhile, the consensus mark for earnings has been unchanged at $1.08 per share over the past seven days, indicating growth of 3.9% from the year-ago period’s actual. CENT has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.2%, on average. Central Garden & Pet Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Central Garden & Pet Company Quote Portfolio optimization efforts are aimed at improving margins and driving more sustainable, profitable growth. Management has been rationalizing lower-margin categories, including pet durables and select live plants, while exiting less efficient operations to enhance overall profitability. In addition, the closure of U.K. operations and the transition of the European business to a more profitable direct export model reflect a disciplined approach to operational efficiency, which is likely to have supported margin performance in the to-be-reported quarter. The company’s performance is likely to have benefited from shipment timing dynamics, as a portion of sales that shifted out of the first quarter moved into the second. Management highlighted that seasonal load-ins, particularly in the Garden segment, were more heavily weighted toward the first quarter in the prior year, with a larger share shifting into the second quarter this year. This suggests that underlying demand remained stable, with the second quarter likely reflecting a normalization of shipment patterns as retailers prepared for the spring season. We expect the Garden segment net sales to increase 3.5% in the second quarter. Another supportive factor is the continued strength of Central Garden’s consumables-focused portfolio and its ability to gain market share across key categories. The company has been seeing steady momentum in areas such as Animal Health, Wild Bird, Rawhide, Professional and Equine businesses, which tend to be more resilient and generate repeat purchases. Operational efficiency initiatives under the company’s Cost and Simplicity agenda also remain a meaningful tailwind. Efforts to streamline distribution, consolidate manufacturing and op...

HOUSTON, May 05, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) (the "Company" or "Westlake") today announced first quarter 2026 results. BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS In the first quarter of 2026, Westlake reported net sales of $2.7 billion, a net loss of $169 million, or $1.31 per share, and EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $150 million. Earnings in the first quarter were impacted by the previously announced $67 million settlement of certain litigation involving direct purchasers of PVC pipe and fittings in the United States and $18 million of charges related to previously announced facility shutdowns, including epoxy, North American chlorovinyls and styrene, and cost saving actions for a combined $85 million impact (the "Identified Items"). Excluding the effects of the Identified Items, the net loss in the first quarter of 2026 was $100 million, or $0.77 per share, and EBITDA was $235 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, Westlake's first quarter of 2026 sales volume increased 6% (excluding sales attributable to plant closures and acquisitions) while average sales price increased 1%. Housing and Infrastructure Products sales increased 10%, driven by 10% sales volume growth (excluding the ACI acquisition) that more than offset a 5% decline in average sales price. Performance and Essential Materials sales increased 2% over the same period of time due to a 3% increase in average sales price and a 3% increase in sales volume (excluding plant shutdowns) that was partially offset by a 5% sales impact from plant shutdowns. EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY "The first quarter of 2026 began to reflect our cost reduction initiatives announced in 2025. Late in the first quarter we began to see margin improvement in the PEM segment as a result of the Iranian conflict. Our HIP segment saw gains in Pipe and Fittings sales volumes driven by continued strength in infrastructure spending, which was more than offset by the subdued North American residential construction activity and lower average sales prices," said Jean‑Marc Gilson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in March, PVC resin and polyethylene sales prices have risen significantly, driven by a steepening of the global cost curve as a result of sharply higher global feedstock and energy prices. At the same time, N...

HOUSTON (AP) — HOUSTON (AP) — Westlake Corporation (WLK) on Tuesday reported a loss of $169 million in its first quarter. The Houston-based company said it had a loss of $1.31 per share. Losses, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 77 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 22 cents per share. The chemical company posted revenue of $2.65 billion in the period, also missing Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $2.87 billion. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WLK at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WLK