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Westlake Corporation (WLK)
NYSE:WLK
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Westlake Corporation (WLK) AI Stock Analysis

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WLK

Westlake Corporation

(NYSE:WLK)

Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$84.00
▲(1.11% Upside)
Westlake Chemical's overall score reflects pressures from declining financial performance, highlighted by reduced profitability and free cash flow. Technical analysis suggests potential short-term weakness, while valuation metrics point to an overvalued condition with a moderate dividend yield. Earnings call insights and recent corporate events indicate strategic challenges and market uncertainties, further weighing on the stock's outlook.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Strength
Analyst reiterates a Buy recommendation based on Westlake's strong balance sheet, which should allow it to capitalize on opportunities.
Cost Savings
Management expects to recover the €190mm costs as they saved on fixed costs, maintenance, etc.
Negative Factors
Pricing Pressure
PVC and PE pricing fell with potential for further declines, leading to reduced earnings estimates.
PVC and PE Market Weakness
Analyst downgrades WLK due to weaker industry operating rates for PVC and PE than expected.

Westlake Corporation (WLK) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Westlake Corporation Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWestlake Corporation (WLK) is a global manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers, and building products. The company operates in two main segments: Olefins and Vinyls. The Olefins segment produces ethylene, polyethylene, and other related products, while the Vinyls segment focuses on the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and other related chemicals. Westlake serves a diverse range of industries including construction, automotive, and packaging, providing essential materials for everyday applications.
How the Company Makes MoneyWestlake Corporation generates revenue primarily through the sale of petrochemical and polymer products. The Olefins segment contributes to revenue by producing and selling ethylene and polyethylene, which are key components used in various consumer and industrial products. The Vinyls segment generates earnings through the production and sale of PVC and VCM, which are used extensively in construction and infrastructure projects. The company benefits from strategic partnerships and long-term contracts with key industrial players, optimizing its supply chain and ensuring a stable demand for its products. Additionally, Westlake's global footprint allows it to tap into diverse markets, further enhancing its revenue streams.

Westlake Corporation Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 05, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.96%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mixed performance with strong results from the HIP segment supporting EBITDA margins, while the PEM segment faced significant challenges and losses. The company's proactive cost reduction measures and strategic focus on infrastructure projects provided a positive outlook amidst current difficulties.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Performance of HIP Segment
The Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) segment delivered solid EBITDA of $275 million on sales of $1.2 billion, representing a strong 24% EBITDA margin. Growth was driven by increased demand for municipal water applications, benefiting from the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Cost Reduction Achievements
Westlake achieved over $75 million of company-wide cost reductions in the first half of 2025 towards a full-year target of $150 million to $175 million, with plans to drive an additional $200 million of cost reductions by 2026.
Stability in Building Products
Despite a slowdown in North American residential construction, the balanced portfolio of HIP—50% new construction and 50% repair and remodel—provided stability.
Negative Updates
Net Loss and Decreased Income
Westlake reported a net loss of $12 million in the second quarter on sales of $3 billion. Net income decreased by $325 million compared to the second quarter of 2024 due to higher feedstock and energy costs and lower sales prices.
PEM Segment Challenges
The Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) segment faced decreased EBITDA, impacted by $110 million due to planned turnarounds and unplanned outages, alongside global oversupply and lower manufacturing activity.
Closure of Pernis Epoxy Site
Westlake announced the closure of its Pernis epoxy site in the Netherlands due to significant losses exceeding $100 million a year, attributed to high feedstock and energy costs and low-priced Asian exports.
Company Guidance
During the Westlake Corporation's second-quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance that highlighted several metrics and strategic actions. The call detailed an EBITDA of $340 million on net sales of $3 billion, with the Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) segment showing strong performance with an EBITDA margin of 24% on sales of $1.2 billion. Despite a challenging operating environment with elevated interest rates, the HIP segment benefited from increased municipal water demand, influenced by the 2021 Infrastructure Act. For the Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) segment, earnings were pressured by lower production levels and a global oversupply of chemical products, impacting EBITDA by approximately $110 million. The company outlined a three-pronged PEM profitability improvement strategy, aiming for $150 million to $175 million in cost reductions in 2025, and targeting an additional $200 million by 2026. Additionally, Westlake reported a net loss of $12 million or $0.09 per share, with plans to close the Pernis epoxy site in the Netherlands to enhance future profitability. The company maintains a 2025 revenue guidance of $4.2 billion to $4.4 billion for the HIP segment with an EBITDA margin between 20% and 22%, and capital expenditures are projected at approximately $900 million for the year.

Westlake Corporation Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Westlake Chemical faces challenges with declining revenues and profit margins impacting overall financial performance. While the balance sheet shows financial stability with moderate leverage, the cash flow statement highlights a reduction in free cash flow, raising potential concerns about future liquidity.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Westlake Chemical's income statement reflects a decline in revenue and net income over the latest periods. The gross profit margin for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) is around 14.1%, indicating some pressure on profitability. Net profit margin stands at 3.2%, which is lower compared to historical performance. The EBIT margin is 5.2%, and the EBITDA margin is 15.8%, showing moderate operational efficiency despite revenue headwinds.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a strong equity position with a stable equity ratio of approximately 50.3% in TTM. The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.53, suggesting manageable leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) is at a lower level of 3.7% for TTM, reflecting decreased profitability impacting shareholder returns.
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a significant drop in free cash flow in TTM, with a free cash flow growth rate of -72.5%. Operating cash flow remains positive but has decreased compared to prior periods. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 2.75, suggesting strong cash generation relative to earnings.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue11.76B12.14B12.55B15.79B11.78B7.50B
Gross Profit1.32B1.96B2.22B4.07B3.50B1.02B
EBITDA672.00M2.21B1.96B4.18B3.69B1.25B
Net Income-67.00M602.00M479.00M2.25B2.02B330.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets20.81B20.75B21.04B20.55B18.46B13.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.28B2.92B3.30B2.23B1.91B1.31B
Total Debt0.005.28B5.52B4.88B5.18B3.57B
Total Liabilities10.02B9.71B10.27B10.09B9.93B7.26B
Stockholders Equity10.28B10.53B10.24B9.93B7.96B6.04B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow78.00M306.00M1.30B2.29B1.74B772.00M
Operating Cash Flow831.00M1.31B2.34B3.40B2.39B1.30B
Investing Cash Flow-940.00M-1.00B-1.04B-2.48B-3.21B-509.00M
Financing Cash Flow-619.00M-650.00M-245.00M-587.00M1.44B-216.00M

Westlake Corporation Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price83.08
Price Trends
50DMA
78.30
Positive
100DMA
84.44
Negative
200DMA
101.67
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.02
Positive
RSI
53.20
Neutral
STOCH
27.32
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WLK, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 83.08 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 82.81, above the 50-day MA of 78.30, and below the 200-day MA of 101.67, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.02 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 53.20 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 27.32 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WLK.

Westlake Corporation Risk Analysis

Westlake Corporation disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Westlake Corporation reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Westlake Corporation Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$15.09B21.9625.42%1.74%0.51%17.21%
70
Neutral
$3.09B26.165.09%3.16%3.28%1.69%
64
Neutral
$10.19B17.0212.13%0.47%-29.03%52.74%
63
Neutral
$6.79B8.2614.52%5.38%1.60%-3.97%
62
Neutral
₹123.44B29.517.83%0.91%4.93%-6.85%
61
Neutral
$9.67B25.363.71%2.78%-1.27%48.34%
58
Neutral
$17.17B70.081.08%10.37%-14.12%-89.22%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WLK
Westlake Corporation
83.08
-57.69
-40.98%
EMN
Eastman Chemical
61.39
-29.10
-32.16%
LYB
LyondellBasell
51.98
-36.28
-41.11%
AVNT
Avient
34.18
-8.14
-19.23%
RPM
RPM International
119.99
9.34
8.44%
SQM
Sociedad Quimica Y Minera SA
36.13
1.37
3.94%

Westlake Corporation Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Westlake Corporation to Close Pernis Facility in Netherlands
Negative
Jun 17, 2025

Westlake Corporation announced plans to cease operations at its Pernis facility in the Netherlands due to continued business deterioration in Europe. The closure, which follows consultations with local councils and unions, will result in a workforce reduction of approximately 230 employees and incur pre-tax costs of about EUR 190 million. The company will continue to supply customers from its Deer Park, Texas facility.

The most recent analyst rating on (WLK) stock is a Hold with a $110.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Westlake Corporation stock, see the WLK Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Westlake Chemical Approves Board Members and Auditor
Neutral
May 12, 2025

At the 2025 Annual Meeting held on May 8, 2025, Westlake Corporation’s stockholders voted on two key matters. The election of four board members and the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, were both approved, indicating continued stability and oversight in the company’s governance and financial auditing processes.

The most recent analyst rating on (WLK) stock is a Hold with a $110.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Westlake Chemical stock, see the WLK Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.Date of analysis: Jul 31, 2025