Search

Stocks in the diversified chemical industry are untimely in early 1999 even though there has been some upward movement in stock prices since Nov 1998. Markets for chemical products remain weak in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Japan and the rest of Asia remain weak, although they remain strong in the US, but the responses of various companies within the industry, such as acquisitions and restructuring, will have costs, as well. Most of these stocks are expected to underperform the market in 1999, but several have above-average potential over the next three to five years.

The demand for construction-related and manufacturing chemicals is expected to lessen in 1999 along with the slower growth in US economic activity, and international demand and currecny questions are concerns, as well. Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, along with stock buybacks, have become popular methods to boost share net in the face of slower earnings momentum. These stocks are not timely in late 1998 and are not expected to perform with the market in 1999.

There has been a slowdown in the diversified chemical industry during the 2nd qtr of 1998 with the General Motors Corp strike, the Asian financial crisis, and the slowing of the US domestic economy. International currency problems, weak overseas business, and the lack of substantial earnings momentum are other problem areas. These stocks are expected to underperform the market in 1998 and 1999, but several three-to-five year potential.

The solid performance of the US economy in the 1st qtr of 1998 indicates that some diversified chemical firms may do well in coming quarters, although many of these stocks are not timely in 1998. Foreign exchange problems are a concern with the Asian financial crisis, however, and the bottom line for many companies needs to be bolstered, as well. Investors must select these stocks with care in 1998, as most are not timely.

The diversified chemical industry mirrored the US economy in 1997 which had strong growth in the 4th qtr and low inflation, and this is expected to be the case in 1998, as well. However, there are concerns in the international sector of the industry for changes in foreign currency rates, and the forecast for the fertilizer segment is mixed. This industry is not timely in 1998, and investors must concentrate on safely-rated stocks.

Retail spending, construction, and manufacturing, combined with the lack of inflation, are expected to be the drivers of economic performance in 1998. A slowdown is being experienced in 1997 by the diversified chemical industry, with overseas economic turmoil a concern, but there has been increased demand for electronics chemicals, and for some fertilizers. These stocks are not timely for 1998, and investors must be selective in their choices.

Stocks in the diversified chemical industry are not timely in 1997, as they have shown lackluster earnings and share prices. Chemical industry profits have been harmed by the strong dollar in the international currency markets, fertilizer company results have been mixed, and there has been slow demand for chemical products from the electronics industries. Investors need to select chemical stocks based on dividend yield and growth potential.

LOWER SALES VOLUMES, FALLING PRICES, and costs incurred by idled facilities dragged down second-quarter earnings at North American fertilizer companies. Fertilizer sales volumes declined on a weather-related fall in demand [...]

FERTILIZER companies Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (PCS) and Agrium Inc., bore the brunt of a disappointing North American spring season, poor weather conditions, low grain prices, higher energy costs [...]

SASKATOON, SAS. -- Record potash volumes, higher nitrogen prices and lower phosphate costs produced a record first quarter for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PCS), before a one-time gain [...]

SASKATOON, SAS. -- Record potash volumes, higher nitrogen prices and lower phosphate costs produced a record first quarter for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PCS), before a one-time gain [...]

Basic and agricultural chemicals producers reported flat or lower third-quarter earnings, citing rising feedstock costs (table). Union Carbide had flat earnings; Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan and Georgia Gulf had lower [...]

Basic and diversified chemical makers reported mixed results for the third quarter as rising feedstock prices cramped earnings. Many basic chemical firms-including Eastman Chemical, FMC, Lyondell Chemical, Potash Corp. of [...]

PotashCorp has said it will take a $200-250m write-down relating to the closure of its nitrogen plants at Memphis, Tennessee, and Geismar, Louisiana. The sum also covers the company's 20% [...]

PotashCorp's earnings rose 6.7%, to $15.9 million, on sales up 29%, to $590 million, as strong nitrogen prices and higher potash volumes more than offset weak phosphate markets, PotashCorp says. [...]

HIGHER NATURAL gas costs forced the temporary shutdown of several US nitrogen fertilizer plants during the second quarter, although the situation has eased based on a recent decline in natural [...]

PRESSURE ON phosphate and potash margins and the poor fall fertilizer season were the key factors for the reduction of quarterly and yearly earnings estimates announced last week by both [...]

THE POTASH Corp. of Saskatchewan recorded net income of $12.8 million for the first quarter of 2002, a decrease of 79 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company attributed the [...]

SASKATOON, SASK. -- Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PCS) announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents (U.S.) per share payable May 15 to [...]

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (PCS) reported a 77% decline in fourth-quarter earnings, to $4.6 million, on sales down 19%, to $434 million. PCS cites lower demand and prices. PCS has [...]