Celanese (CE) to Raise Prices of Acetyl Intermediate Products

Zacks Equity Research Published on August 11, 2017

Celanese Corporation (CE - Free Report) recently said that it is raising the list and off-list selling prices of Acetic Acid, Butyl Acetate, MIBC and MIBK. The price hike is effective immediately or as contracts allow.

The company will increase the prices of Acetic Acid and Butyl Acetate in Asia (outside China) by $50/MT and $100/MT respectively. Prices of MIBC and MIBK are slated to increase by €250/MT in Europe.

Celanese is taking appropriate pricing actions amid a volatile raw material pricing environment. Pricing improvement drove margins in its Acetyl Chain unit in second-quarter 2017.

Celanese has outperformed the industry over the last three months. The company’s shares have moved up around 12.8% over this period, compared with roughly 2.8% gain recorded by the industry.

Celanese kept its earnings streak alive with a beat in second-quarter 2017. The company logged adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.74. Celanese sees adjusted earnings per share to increase 9–11% in 2017.

Celanese’s strategic measures including cost savings through productivity actions and pricing initiatives are expected to lend support to its earnings in 2017. The company is also likely to gain from capacity expansion and growth initiatives like acquisitions. Moreover, Celanese remains focused on returning value to shareholders.

Celanese Corporation Price and Consensus

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