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Chemical Stocks Q3 Earnings Slated on Nov 1: LYB, ECL, TSE

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A few chemical companies are lined up to unveil their quarterly numbers on Nov 1. The chemical industry falls under the broader Basic Materials sector. Based on the earnings scorecard as of Oct 28, 60% of the sector participants on the S&P 500 index have already reported their quarterly numbers. Earnings for these companies have increased 25.7% from the same period last year while revenues are down 0.5%, per the latest Earnings Preview. Overall earnings for the Basic Materials sector are now projected to rise 2.2% on 3.2% lower revenues.

The chemical industry is still on a gradual recovery mode from the trough of the great recession. Chemical makers are gaining from strategic measures including aggressive cost management and productivity actions, expansion into high-growth markets and acquisitions. However, the industry remains buffeted by a number of challenges including a still weak agriculture market, currency headwinds, weak demand in the energy space and a sluggish Chinese economy.

Among the chemical companies that have already come up with their quarterly numbers, we have seen solid earnings beats from heavyweights such as DuPont (DD - Free Report) and Dow Chemical (DOW - Free Report) and positive surprises from other prominent names such as Eastman Chemical (EMN - Free Report) , Air Products (APD - Free Report) and Celanese Corporation (CE - Free Report) .

Let’s see what’s in store for these chemical companies that are set to report third-quarter numbers on Nov 1.

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB - Free Report) , which will report earnings results ahead of the bell, is expected to come up with a positive earnings surprise as it carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and has an Earnings ESP of +0.87%. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises.

The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the four trailing quarters with an average positive surprise of 4.83%. LyondellBasell is benefiting from the favorable North American natural gas environment. However, the company is exposed to headwinds from weak product prices. The low oil price environment remains a concern.  (Read more: LyondellBasell Q3 Earnings: A Beat in the Cards?)

LYONDELLBASEL-A Price and EPS Surprise

 

LYONDELLBASEL-A Price and EPS Surprise | LYONDELLBASEL-A Quote

Ecolab Inc. (ECL - Free Report) will report before the bell. It has an Earnings ESP 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at $1.27. This is what makes surprise prediction difficult even though the company carries a favorable Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

Ecolab posted a negative earnings surprise of 0.07% on average over the last four quarters. Despite currency headwind and weakness in the energy segment, a robust product portfolio, new product launches and an expanding customer base are expected to drive organic sales in the to-be-reported quarter. Synergies of acquisitions will also help in margin expansion. (Read more: Ecolab: Can it Spring a Surprise in Q3 Earnings?)

ECOLAB INC Price and EPS Surprise

 

ECOLAB INC Price and EPS Surprise | ECOLAB INC Quote

Trinseo SA (TSE - Free Report) , which will report after the bell, has an Earnings ESP 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at $1.68. The company carries a Zacks Rank #1, but its 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. Trinseo beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average positive surprise of 11.59%.

TRINSEO SA Price and EPS Surprise

 

TRINSEO SA Price and EPS Surprise | TRINSEO SA Quote

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