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Celanese Corp (CE)
NYSE:CE

Celanese (CE) AI Stock Analysis

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CECelanese
(NYSE:CE)
50Neutral
Celanese faces significant challenges with declining revenues and profitability pressures, reflected in its financial performance and bearish technical indicators. The earnings call presents a proactive approach to cost management and leadership restructuring, offering some optimism for future improvements. However, current valuation metrics and stock momentum remain concerning, resulting in a moderate overall stock score.
Positive Factors
Cost Management
Recent cost savings programs are helping the company, with more expected to be announced.
Market Expansion
Celanese is intensifying its efforts to penetrate the EV market, which could offer growth opportunities.
Negative Factors
Financial Outlook
The company's March EBIT guidance is significantly below consensus estimates, indicating potential challenges ahead.

Celanese (CE) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Celanese Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCelanese Corp. engages in the provision of technology and specialty materials businesses. It operates through the following segments: Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, Acetyl Chain and Other Activities .The Engineered Materials segment includes the engineered materials business, food ingredients business and certain strategic affiliates. The Acetate Tow segment serves consumer-driven applications and is a global producer and supplier of acetate tow and acetate flake, primarily used in filter products applications. The Acetyl Chain segment includes the integrated chain of intermediate chemistry, emulsion polymers and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers businesses, based on similar products, production processes, classes of customers and selling and distribution practices as well as economic similarities over a normal business cycle and The Other Activities segment primarily consists of corporate center costs, including administrative activities such as finance, information technology and human resource functions, interest income and expense associated with financing activities. The company was founded by Camille Dreyfus and Henri Dreyfus in 1956 and is headquartered in Irving, TX.
How the Company Makes MoneyCelanese makes money primarily through the manufacturing and sale of its chemical products, which are divided into two main business segments: Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain. The Engineered Materials segment generates revenue by producing high-performance polymers and elastomers used in automotive, consumer electronics, and medical applications. The Acetyl Chain segment contributes to revenue through the production of acetyl intermediates, such as acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, and emulsions, which are essential in the manufacturing of paints, adhesives, coatings, and textiles. Revenue is driven by a combination of long-term contracts and spot sales, with pricing influenced by raw material costs, market demand, and competitive dynamics. Celanese also engages in strategic partnerships and joint ventures to expand its market reach and enhance its product offerings.

Celanese Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Celanese is experiencing a tough period with declining revenues and profitability pressures. The income statement shows negative EBIT and net income, while the balance sheet reflects a stable financial structure, albeit with a negative return on equity. The cash flow statement indicates a significant reduction in free cash flow, highlighting areas of concern despite some resilience in core operations.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
The income statement for TTM indicates a challenging period with a negative EBIT and net income, leading to a net profit margin of -14.81%. However, the gross profit margin remains healthy at 22.23%, showing some resilience in core operations. The revenue has declined by 6.03% compared to the previous year, showcasing potential market or operational pressures.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a reasonable equity ratio of 22.63%, indicating a stable financial structure. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.35, suggesting manageable leverage. However, the return on equity is negative at -29.42%, reflecting the impact of recent losses on shareholder returns.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
The cash flow statement reveals a significant reduction in free cash flow, with a growth rate of -52.21% compared to the previous year. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative due to net losses, but the company maintains a positive free cash flow to net income ratio, indicating some capacity to generate cash despite profitability challenges.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
10.28B10.94B9.67B8.54B5.66B
Gross Profit
2.36B2.60B2.38B2.68B1.29B
EBIT
-697.00M1.69B1.38B1.95B664.00M
EBITDA
-697.00M2.61B2.29B2.72B2.71B
Net Income Common Stockholders
-1.52B1.96B1.89B1.89B1.99B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
962.00M1.80B1.51B546.00M1.49B
Total Assets
22.86B26.60B26.27B11.97B10.91B
Total Debt
1.79B14.10B15.04B4.17B3.93B
Net Debt
833.00M12.29B13.54B3.63B2.98B
Total Liabilities
17.25B19.05B20.17B7.44B7.01B
Stockholders Equity
5.17B7.09B5.64B4.19B3.53B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
966.00M1.33B1.28B1.29B486.00M
Operating Cash Flow
966.00M1.90B1.82B1.76B850.00M
Investing Cash Flow
-470.00M-134.00M-11.14B-1.12B592.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.31B-1.46B10.29B-1.04B-1.47B

Celanese Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price54.33
Price Trends
50DMA
65.48
Negative
100DMA
80.58
Negative
200DMA
107.67
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-5.22
Positive
RSI
40.85
Neutral
STOCH
38.17
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CE, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 54.33 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 59.06, below the 50-day MA of 65.48, and below the 200-day MA of 107.67, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -5.22 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.85 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 38.17 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CE.

Celanese Risk Analysis

Celanese disclosed 32 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Celanese reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Celanese Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (47)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
EMEMN
73
Outperform
$10.72B12.1315.66%3.45%1.91%2.94%
DDDD
70
Outperform
$32.48B46.483.33%1.96%2.64%80.37%
WLWLK
59
Neutral
$13.72B23.065.72%1.88%-3.24%24.29%
DODOW
58
Neutral
$25.38B23.036.73%7.86%-3.72%91.57%
LYLYB
56
Neutral
$23.74B17.6710.91%7.17%-1.46%-36.00%
CECE
50
Neutral
$5.27B6.84-29.41%4.42%-6.03%-177.29%
47
Neutral
$2.64B-4.00-31.55%3.33%2.93%-29.90%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CE
Celanese
54.33
-99.89
-64.77%
EMN
Eastman Chemical
97.73
11.45
13.27%
LYB
LyondellBasell
76.21
-18.59
-19.61%
WLK
Westlake Chemical
111.00
-29.40
-20.94%
DD
DuPont de Nemours
79.48
9.62
13.77%
DOW
Dow Inc
37.78
-15.87
-29.58%

Celanese Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 18, 2025 | % Change Since: -22.24% | Next Earnings Date: May 7, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a proactive approach to cost management and leadership restructuring, showing a commitment to improving cash flow and operational efficiency. However, challenges such as inventory overhang, margin compression, and pricing pressures in key segments present obstacles that the company must navigate. The strategic focus on cash generation and operational adjustments suggests resilience, but ongoing market conditions may continue to pose challenges.
Highlights
Cost Reduction Achievements
Celanese executed over $75 million worth of cost actions in Q4 2024 and reduced their 2025 capital plan by about $100 million compared to last year.
Leadership and Board Additions
Celanese appointed a new leader, Todd Elliott, to the Engineered Materials business and added Chris Kean and Scott Sutton to the board of directors to enhance finance and operational expertise.
Strong Debt Market Conditions
The company is prepared to access debt markets quickly and opportunistically, with credit markets being very strong, allowing them to manage debt maturities prudently.
Positive Outlook on Free Cash Flow
Expectations for improved free cash flow in 2025 due to better management of working capital, lower cash taxes, and reduced capital expenditures.
Lowlights
Inventory Overhang in Auto Market
Celanese is challenged by excessive inventory levels in the value chain, affecting the Engineered Materials segment's performance.
Margin Compression Challenges
Margin degradation in certain product lines like nylon, impacting year-over-year improvements despite cost reduction efforts.
Impact of Asian Acetyls Capacity
New acetyls capacity in Asia presents challenges, with the industry operating below the cost curve, potentially impacting margins.
Pricing Pressure in Engineered Materials
Low single-digit price declines in the Engineered Materials segment reported, with stabilization expected but requiring competitive adjustments.
Company Guidance
In the Celanese Corporation Q4 2024 earnings call, the company provided guidance with several key metrics. They executed over $75 million in cost actions and reduced their 2025 capital plan to $300 to $350 million, approximately a $100 million reduction from the previous year. The company is focused on cash generation, margin expansion, and productivity, with a finance and business review committee established to evaluate options for improving performance. For 2025, the company is targeting significant improvements in free cash flow, with expectations for working capital to be a source of cash, significantly lower cash taxes, and a $100 million reduction in capital expenditures. Celanese is also aggressively working on divestitures, with potential transactions similar in size to previous deals, and they are prioritizing deleveraging over equity raises due to the strength of the debt market. The company aims for EBITDA improvements, focusing on cost efficiencies and reversing margin compressions in their acetyl and engineered materials businesses, while also navigating the impact of new capacity in the acetyls segment and leveraging their optionality model.

Celanese Corporate Events

Financial Disclosures
Celanese to Present Q4 and Full Year 2024 Results
Neutral
Feb 18, 2025

On February 19, 2025, Scott A. Richardson, President and CEO of Celanese Corporation, will present the company’s financial results for Q4 and full year 2024 via a webcast. This presentation will include references to Non-US GAAP financial measures, with reconciliations available on the company’s website.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Celanese Expands Board, Elects Scott Sutton as Director
Positive
Feb 14, 2025

On February 13, 2025, Celanese Corporation’s Board of Directors expanded from 12 to 13 members, electing Scott Sutton as a director effective March 1, 2025. Sutton is a seasoned professional in the chemicals industry, previously holding leadership roles at Olin Corporation and Celanese. He will co-chair the newly established Finance and Business Review Committee, aimed at overseeing the company’s financial health and strategic initiatives, which signals Celanese’s commitment to improving its financial strategy and stakeholder value. Sutton’s election and the committee’s formation are expected to bolster the company’s financial oversight and strategic execution.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Celanese Appoints Todd Elliott as SVP of Engineered Materials
Positive
Jan 16, 2025

Celanese Corporation announced a leadership change with the appointment of Todd Elliott as Senior Vice President of Engineered Materials, effective February 3, 2025. Elliott, who previously held various leadership roles at Celanese, will replace Thomas Kelly, who will assist in the transition until March 10, 2025. This leadership change is expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen Celanese’s competitive position, driving growth and profitability. The move reflects the company’s strategic focus on reducing costs, optimizing its capital structure, and delivering value to employees, customers, and shareholders.

Executive/Board Changes
Celanese Expands Board with Christopher Kuehn Appointment
Neutral
Dec 19, 2024

Celanese Corporation announced the election of Christopher Kuehn to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025, increasing the board size to 12 members. Mr. Kuehn, who is also the CFO of Trane Technologies, brings extensive financial expertise and risk management skills to Celanese, enhancing the board’s capabilities and offering fresh perspectives in financial and IT disciplines.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Celanese Appoints Scott Richardson as New CEO
Positive
Dec 9, 2024

Celanese Corporation has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Scott A. Richardson as the new CEO and President effective January 1, 2025, succeeding Lori J. Ryerkerk. With a rich history in key roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Richardson is poised to drive Celanese’s strategic initiatives and enhance shareholder value. Edward G. Galante will take over as Chair of the Board, emphasizing a seamless transition and continued focus on strengthening Celanese’s market position.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.