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The specialty chemical industry is comprised of a wide variety of companies which serve almost the entire spectrum of the US economy, and. earnings for the industry as a whole have languished due to the troubled gobal economy and competition within the US during 1998. This can be expected to continue in 1999, but an economic recovery for the industry is forecast through the years 2001-2003. These stocks are not timely in 1998 and 1999, but several have good prospects for the next three to five years.

The chemical/diversified industry is recuperating nicely as the general economy improves. The demand for products is strong, but prices are holding their own, due to the nature of contract business. Although the Federal government has raised interest rates again in Nov 1994, the economy, along with foreign economies should continue to improve. Star chemicals include polyethylene terephthalate, which increased in demand by 20% during 1994, compared to 1993 figures.

Potential investors in the diversified chemical industry will find several attractive companies, but the industry as a whole is still emerging from the US recession. The timely stocks may not have much long-term appreciation potential. Fertilizer companies such as Terra Industries and IMC Fertilizer are well-positioned to take advantage of a regulatory climate that favors ethanol as a fuel, though ethanol's future is uncertain because it is still not economically viable.

The diversified chemical industry's prospects during the 1997 to 1999 period will probably not be spectacular, although some businesses may experience strong growth. Investments in these companies over the short and long terms is not likely to prove profitable, although the world's economy is expected to improve through the end of 1994. Companies that recommit to their core holdings will likely show the most promise. Some companies may experience legal problems that will influence their bottom lines.

The chemical/diversified industry has gone through rough economic times during the 1990s recession. Firms have streamlined their operations to survive, selling off non-core divisions to boost revenues. Layoffs were common in 1993. Modest gains are expected during 1994, although the 3-year to 5-year return potential remains dim. Only a few securities are considered timely buys during 1994, including Terra Industries, First Mississippi and Millipore.

Diversified chemical industry stocks, despite gains in European companies, should be purchased carefully. The diversified chemicals industry tends to trail economic cycles, slowing down well into recessions and picking up well after recoveries. It can expect continually lagging profits, as the European economies continue to struggle and the US economy just begins to recover. European chemicals issues recently jumped in price, as speculators anticipated a dramatic 1994 European recovery, but there is some question as to how accurately this buying anticipates economic trends.

Ethyl Corp. (Richmond, VA) has reported first-quarter 2001 earnings of $4 million, or $0.04/share, excluding nonrecurring items. First-quarter 2000 earnings on the same basis were $1 million, or $0.01/share. Including [...]

SPECIALTY CHEMICAL COMPANIES HAVE continued to report declines in first-quarter earnings, citing slower demand as well as higher raw material and energy costs. PolyOne posted a pro forma net loss [...]

ADDITIVES Ultra Recovers from Fire Ultra Additives made a quick recovery by beginning production on 'Paterson-based formulations' 5 days after a fire destroyed the company's manufacturing plant in Paterson, NJ. [...]

Ethyl says it will terminate its current pension plan for U.S. salaried employees to raise about $50 million to pay down debt. The pension plan contained $541 million as of [...]

Ethyl posted second-quarter net income of $9 million (11 cts/share), a decline of 3l%. The company says it will suspend its 6.25-cts/share quarterly dividend because of the poor earnings. Ethyl [...]

EARLY REPORTING CHEMICALS COMPANIES posted generally higher second-quarter earnings compared to last year's second quarter, although many other companies have warned that results will be lower than forecasts. Most companies [...]

Ethyl says earnings will fall at least 50% below estimates, citing higher raw material costs, the weak euro, and lower-than-expected demand for tetraethyl lead. Analysts had forecast earnings of 14 [...]

Specialty chemical firms h.b. fuller, Ethyl, and MacDermid have warned that first-quarter earnings will be below analysts expectations. The companies cite rising raw materials costs as the main drag. Ethyl [...]

ETHYL CORPORATION's fourth quarter 1999 earnings improved 2 percent to $10.1 million on 1 percent lower sales of $216 million. Full year 1999 underlying profits fell 2 percent to $50.9 [...]

Chemical company sales and earnings are weak in early 1993, as gains due to the recovering US economy are somewhat offset by continuing weakness in the European economy. Many chemical firms' have also been affected by charges against earnings necessitated by changes in accounting standards. The 1st qtr 1993 earnings of several companies are discussed.

ECC International's Sylacauga operation was presented the Supplier Excellence Award by Ferro's Filled and Reinforced Plastics Division for outstanding performance. ECCI supplies calcium carbonate to Ferro's Evansville, IN, plant. Ethyl [...]

The 1st qtr 1992 earnings of several chemical companies are detailed. Rohm and Haas Co performed extremely well, with a 44% rise in earnings compared to 1st qtr 1991. Ethyl Corp, Great Lakes Chemical Corp, Arco Chemical Co and IMCERA Group Inc also had strong 1st qtr earnings. B.F. Goodrich Co. incurred a 1st qtr 1992 loss of $100,000 or 8 cents per share, partly due to restructuring charges. Quantum Chemical Co lost $12.1 million, or 41 cents per share, because of falling polyethylene prices and profit margins.

NEWMARKET Corp. is the new holding company for the former Ethyl Corp. On June 18, each share of Ethyl was converted to one share of NewMarket. NewMarket will begin trading [...]

DRAWING LITTLE attention, fuel and lubricant additives firm Ethyl Corp.'s stock has nearly doubled since posting strong earnings growth in the third quarter. On a downward trajectory since 1996 and [...]