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Stepan Co

$51,40
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1D5D1M3M6MYTD1Y5YMax
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Mcap
1,2B USD
P/E
25,1x
EV / Rev
0,7x
Div yield
3,02 %
Op margin
3,4 %
ROE
3,9 %
Net margin
2,0 %
Debt / equity
0,55
Beta
52w range
Volume
Day range
Prev close
$65,07
Open
Next earnings
2026-10-28
Ex-dividend
TR 1Y
About

Stepan Company manufactures and markets specialty chemicals, primarily surfactants and polymers, for industrial and consumer applications.

Business. Stepan Company manufactures and markets specialty chemicals, primarily surfactants and polymers, for industrial and consumer applications.

Classification77 %
SectorEnergy
Business sectorOil & Gas
IndustryOil & Gas Exploration & Production
ActivityExploration & Production
Generated · model-assisted
Sell-side consensus
consensus pending
— buy— hold— sell
Avg 12m price target
Upcoming events
  • EarningsQ3 2026 earnings (expected)2026-10-28 · estimated
See all catalysts →

At a glance

Score
not yet scored
Valuation
25,1x
P/E
Analysts
not yet wired
Ownership
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
largest disclosed fund holder
Profitability
3,9 %
return on equity
Quality
not yet scored

What drives this business

The watch-list the newsroom runs for this company — derived from its sector path, sharpened layer by layer. Not investment advice.

— missing data

News & coverage

0
  • No recent newsroom coverage mentioning SCL.
  • Sector rotation

    Sector1D1Mvs mkt
    Materials+2,3 %+6,7 %+1,7 %
    Communication Services+2,2 %−5,5 %+1,6 %
    Health Care+0,6 %−0,8 %+0,0 %
    Energy · THIS SECTOR+0,6 %+3,3 %+0,0 %
    Consumer Discretionary+0,4 %+7,6 %−0,2 %
    Information Technology+0,2 %+7,9 %−0,4 %
    Financials−0,3 %−3,0 %−1,0 %
    Consumer Staples−0,7 %+2,5 %−1,3 %
    Real Estate−0,7 %+10,9 %−1,3 %
    Industrials−1,8 %−1,6 %−2,4 %
    Utilities−1,9 %+28,2 %−2,5 %

    Developing storylines

    No tracked sagas currently linked to SCL. Browse all sagas →

    Analysis

    AI analysis
    Generated · analysis pipeline · tier hybrid · as of 2026-08-01 ↑ At a glance

    Opportunity

    — missing data

    Upcoming catalysts

    Scheduled public events. Informational only — not investment advice.

    • Company
    • EarningsQ3 2026 earnings (expected)2026-10-28 · estimated
    • Macro
    • Rate decisionBank of England rate decision (press conf.)2026-08-06 · GB
    • Rate decisionReserve Bank of Australia rate decision (press conf.)2026-08-12 · AU
    • Rate decisionNorges Bank rate decision (press conf.)2026-08-20 · NO
    • Rate decisionSveriges Riksbank rate decision (press conf.)2026-09-03 · SE
    • Rate decisionBank of Canada rate decision (press conf.)2026-09-09 · CA
    • Rate decisionEuropean Central Bank rate decision (press conf.)2026-09-10 · EU
    • Macro & political
    • ElectionSE Swedish Election2026-09-14 · SE
    • ElectionUS U.S. Midterms2026-11-03 · US
    • ElectionFR French Legislative2027-06-01 · FR

    Pre-earnings brief

    — missing data

    Signals & dispatch

    peak dispatch · —

    Composite-score breakdown

    Synthesis

    Business

    Stepan Company manufactures and markets specialty chemicals, primarily surfactants and polymers, for industrial and consumer applications.

    Classification77 %
    SectorEnergy
    Business sectorOil & Gas
    IndustryOil & Gas Exploration & Production
    ActivityExploration & Production
    AI synthesis
    GENERATED

    Stepan Company maintains a conservative capital structure with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 1.26. Total debt stands at $651.7 million, comprising $328.4 million in long-term debt and $323.3 million in short-term obligations, against total equity of $1.19 billion. The company holds $140.8 million in cash and equivalents, resulting in a negative net cash position. Operating cash flow for Q1 2026 was $16.9 million, while free cash flow was negative $14.0 million due to $30.9 million in capital expenditures.

    Profitability metrics indicate operational pressure, with a return on equity of 3.93% and return on assets of 2.01%. The company reported a net loss of $41.4 million on revenue of $604.5 million, driven by an operating loss of $49.6 million. Gross profit was $64.9 million, yielding a gross margin of approximately 10.7%. The valuation snapshot shows a P/E ratio of 25.09 and an EV/EBITDA of 8.25, reflecting the market's pricing of current earnings volatility.

    Revenue generation is diversified across segments including Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products, with geographic exposure spanning North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The filing observations reference specific reporting units such as the European Polymers Reporting Unit and Colombia Reporting Unit, indicating a global operational footprint. Competition is based on product performance, price, technical assistance, and capacity availability.

    Growth trajectory analysis is limited by the absence of historical period data in the input. The Q1 2026 revenue of $604.5 million serves as the baseline for current performance assessment. Without prior period comparisons, year-over-year growth rates cannot be calculated from the provided data.

    Risk factors include medium liquidity risk and unknown dilution risk due to missing basic and diluted share count assessments. Key flags highlight negative net cash and the inability to assess dilution risk. The company faces operational risks including raw material cost volatility, supply disruptions, and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

    Recent events include a significant stock price movement on July 29, 2026, with a 15.07% single-day gain to $66.75 on volume 4.33 times the 20-day average. Filing observations note $62.4 million in restructuring costs during Q1 2026, including asset impairment charges at the Fieldsboro, New Jersey ($43.0 million), Elwood, Illinois ($14.3 million), and Stalybridge, U.K. ($5.1 million) sites. Analyst consensus shows a mean price target of $75.00 with a mean recommendation of 2.00 (Buy).

    Key takeaways
    • Q1 2026 net loss of $41.4 million driven by $62.4 million in restructuring and impairment charges.
    • Conservative balance sheet with 0.55 debt-to-equity ratio but negative free cash flow of $14.0 million.
    • Significant stock price appreciation of 15.07% on July 29, 2026, with volume 4.33x average.
    • Analyst consensus targets $75.00, implying upside from the $51.40 market price in the valuation snapshot.
    • Operational risks include raw material volatility and global supply chain disruptions.
    • Dilution risk remains unassessed due to missing share count data in the risk assessment.

    Bull / Bear case

    Generated · model-assisted
    — missing data

    In focus — financials by report

    Quarterly
    Annual
    QUARTERLYFiled 2026-03-31
    Q4 2025 · Quarter highlights

    Revenue $604.5M; Operating income -$49.6M.

    Revenue$604.5M
    Operating income-$49.6M
    Net income-$41.4M
    Free cash flow-$14.0M
    EPS
    Operating cash flow$16.9M
    Financials
    Income statement
    Revenue$604.5M
    Gross profit$64.9M
    Operating income-$49.6M
    Net income-$41.4M
    Margins
    Gross margin10.7%
    Operating margin-8.2%
    Net margin-6.8%
    FCF margin-2.3%
    Balance sheet
    Total assets$2.33B
    Total liabilities
    Total equity$1.19B
    Cash & equivalents$140.8M
    Long-term debt$328.4M
    Cash flow
    Operating cash flow$16.9M
    CapEx$30.9M
    Free cash flow-$14.0M
    SBC$1.5M
    P&L flow · revenue → net income
    Revenue $604.5MOperating costs $654.1MNet income $41.4M
    Highlights
    • Revenue $604.5M
    • Operating income -$49.6M
    • Net margin -6.8%

    Valuation FY

    Market price
    $51,40
    Market cap
    $1.18B
    Enterprise value
    $1.69B
    P/E
    25.1x
    Non-GAAP P/E
    EV / Revenue
    0.7x
    EV / Op income
    21.5x
    EV / OCF
    11.4x
    P / B
    P / Tangible book
    Tangible book
    Net cash
    -$510.9M
    Current ratio
    1.3
    Debt / equity
    0.6
    ROA
    2.0%
    ROE
    3.9%
    Cash conversion
    315.0%
    CapEx / revenue
    5.2%
    SBC / revenue
    0.3%
    Dilution ratio

    Revenue by segment

    Market share

    — missing data

    Business relationships

    — missing data

    Supply chain

    — missing data

    Peer comparison

    — missing data

    Market position

    Stress test

    — missing data

    Predictor forecast

    Options

    — missing data

    Short squeeze

    — missing data

    Earnings-call key lines

    — missing data

    Consensus distribution

    sell-side coverage
    Recommendation distribution1 analysts
    Strong buy0
    Buy1
    Hold0
    Sell0
    Strong sell0
    12-month price target$75,00 · Median $75,00
    Low $75,00High $75,00
    Operating income · consensus106,9M USD
    EPS surprise
    −33,2 %
    reported vs consensus · miss
    Revenue surprise
    −8,2 %
    reported vs consensus · miss

    Estimate revisions

    consensus EPS · 26-week trend
    — missing data

    Sell-side observations

    Low$75,00
    Mean$75,00
    Median$75,00
    High$75,00
    Spot$51,40
    +45.9 %implied to mean12-month sell-side price targets · ▲ spot

    Themes

    — missing data

    ESG

    — missing data

    Risk factors

    Dilution riskUnknown
    Liquidity riskMedium
    Filing-based flags
    • Net cash is negative after subtracting total debt.

    Benchmarks vs cohort

    Op Margin3,4 %Bottom quartile
    Net Margin2,0 %Bottom quartile
    ROE3,9 %Below median
    Capex / Rev5,2 %Above P75
    D/E0,55Below median
    Cash Conv3,15Above P75

    Corporate actions / M&A

    — missing data

    FX exposure

    — missing data

    Comparable transactions

    — missing data

    Derivatives & instruments

    Derivative transactions

    Net acquired 210 712 sh11 exercises · 27 grants9 insiders
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 90exercise · 2026-05-11
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 550exercise · 2026-05-01
    • Galimberti Afonso Adriano JoseVP and GM Surfactants NA · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsAcquired 2 621grant · 2026-04-13
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Stock Appreciation Right → Common StockAcquired 4 030 @ $52,46grant · 2026-04-13
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsAcquired 2 859grant · 2026-04-13
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Performance Shares → Common StockAcquired 1 429grant · 2026-04-13
    • Galimberti Afonso Adriano JoseVP and GM Surfactants NA · Performance Shares → Common StockAcquired 1 310grant · 2026-04-13
    • Galimberti Afonso Adriano JoseVP and GM Surfactants NA · Stock Appreciation Right → Common StockAcquired 3 694 @ $52,46grant · 2026-04-13
    • Rojo LuisDirector, President & CEO · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 857exercise · 2026-03-04
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 429exercise · 2026-03-04
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 571exercise · 2026-03-04
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 571exercise · 2026-03-04
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 1 670exercise · 2026-03-03
    • Rojo LuisDirector, President & CEO · Restricted Stock Units → Common StockDisposed 4 455exercise · 2026-03-03
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsDisposed 1 670exercise · 2026-03-03
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Restricted Stock Units → Common StockDisposed 1 253exercise · 2026-03-03
    • Rojo LuisDirector, President & CEO · Stock Appreciation Right → Common StockAcquired 57 241 @ $17,47grant · 2026-03-02
    • Lisle Shawn GVP GC & Secretary · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsAcquired 4 495grant · 2026-03-02
    • Lisle Shawn GVP GC & Secretary · Performance Shares → Common StockAcquired 2 247grant · 2026-03-02
    • Lisle Shawn GVP GC & Secretary · Stock Appreciation Right → Common StockAcquired 6 440 @ $17,47grant · 2026-03-02
    • Barry Andrea JeanVP & CHRO · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsAcquired 4 495grant · 2026-03-02
    • Barry Andrea JeanVP & CHRO · Performance Shares → Common StockAcquired 2 247grant · 2026-03-02
    • Barry Andrea JeanVP & CHRO · Stock Appreciation Right → Common StockAcquired 6 440 @ $17,47grant · 2026-03-02
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Restricted Stock Units → Restricted Stock UnitsAcquired 5 993grant · 2026-03-02
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Performance Shares → Common StockAcquired 2 996grant · 2026-03-02

    Actions

    Ask Handelsavisen

    — missing data
    Data sources
    • Market data
    • Regulatory filings
    • Issuer disclosures
    • Public news
    • Earnings transcripts
    • Consensus estimates
    • ESG data
    • Reference data
    How metrics are computed
    • Cash Conversion Ratio
      operating_cash_flow / net_income
    • Market Price
      input from market-data provider (delayed close or quote-shim mid)
    • Ev To Revenue
      enterprise_value / revenue
    • Net Cash
      cash_and_equivalents + short_term_investments - short_term_debt - long_term_debt
    • Return On Equity
      net_income / total_equity
    • Market Cap
      market_price * shares_outstanding_diluted
    Source documents
    • STEPAN CO company facts · 2026-08-01
    • STEPAN CO 10-Q 2026-05-06 · 2026-08-01
    • STEPAN CO 10-K 2026-02-26 · 2026-08-01
    • STEPAN CO 10-Q 2025-11-05 · 2026-08-01
    • STEPAN CO 10-Q 2025-08-06 · 2026-08-01
    • ha_price_move fired on SCL · 2026-08-01
    • Stepan Co Market data — analyst estimates · 2026-08-01
    • Stepan Co Market data — ESG · 2026-08-01

    Ownership & reference

    Top holders

    • American Century Investment Management, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,02 %$37M
    • Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,01 %$56M
    • BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.Investment Managers · as of 2024-06-300,01 %$281M
    • AQR Capital Management, LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,01 %$12M
    • AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INCInstitutional Investor · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$20M
    • Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$23M
    • First Trust Advisors L.P.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$5M
    • Principal Global Investors (Equity)Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$5M
    • Vanguard Capital Management, LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2025-12-310,00 %$122M
    • Nuveen LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2024-12-310,00 %$6M
    • Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$13M
    • Geode Capital Management, L.L.C.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$26M
    • Northern Trust Investments, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$12M
    • State Street Investment Management (US)Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$45M
    • Invesco QQQ TrustFunds · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$9M
    • Bank of New York Mellon CorpInstitutional Investor · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$6M
    • Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$15M
    • UBS Financial Services, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$4M
    • AllianceBernstein L.P.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$1M
    • JANUS HENDERSON GROUP PLCInstitutional Investor · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • Franklin Advisers, Inc.Investment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • Wells Fargo AdvisorsBrokerage Firms · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • PNC Investments LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • LPL Financial LLCInvestment Managers · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • FMR LLCInstitutional Investor · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M
    • JONES FINANCIAL COMPANIES LLLPInstitutional Investor · as of 2026-03-310,00 %$0M

    Insider activity

    Mixed / flat0 buys · 0 sellsnet $015 insiders · last 365d
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Common StockOther 90 @ $52,58$5K · 2026-05-11
    • Weitkamp Robin JosephVP and GM Surfactants-INT · Common StockOther 50 @ $52,58$3K · 2026-05-11
    • Burgess LorindaDirector · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • Painter Corning F.Director · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • STEPAN F QUINN JRDirector · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • REED JAN STERNDirector · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • Lewis SusanDirector · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • Delgado JoaquinDirector · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • Dearth Randall S.Director · Common StockOther 2 566 @ $52,61$135K · 2026-05-08
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 550 @ $50,33$28K · 2026-05-01
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 162 @ $50,33$8K · 2026-05-01
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Common StockOther 149 @ $49,62$7K · 2026-03-04
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Common StockOther 429 @ $49,62$21K · 2026-03-04
    • Rojo LuisDirector, President & CEO · Common StockOther 857 @ $49,62$43K · 2026-03-04
    • Rojo LuisDirector, President & CEO · Common StockOther 252 @ $49,62$13K · 2026-03-04
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 571 @ $49,62$28K · 2026-03-04
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 168 @ $49,62$8K · 2026-03-04
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Common StockOther 166 @ $49,62$8K · 2026-03-04
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Common StockOther 571 @ $49,62$28K · 2026-03-04
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 1 670 @ $48,98$82K · 2026-03-03
    • Haire Robert JosephEVP, Supply Chain · Common StockOther 490 @ $48,98$24K · 2026-03-03
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Common StockOther 570 @ $48,98$28K · 2026-03-03
    • Moriarty Sean ThomasVP & GM Surfactants · Common StockOther 1 670 @ $48,98$82K · 2026-03-03
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Common StockOther 434 @ $48,98$21K · 2026-03-03
    • Stepan Richard FinnV.P. and Gen'l. Mgr., Polymers · Common StockOther 1 253 @ $48,98$61K · 2026-03-03

    Short positioning

    604.3Kshares short-6.0% vs prior
    4.82days to cover
    65.9%short of daily vol
    144fails-to-deliver
    as of 2026-07-15 · short-interest report (free)

    Geographic breakdown

    — missing data
    Listings · one canonical issuer all listings resolve to the canonical
    SCLCanonical
    NYSE · USD

    Intel & risk

    peak dispatch · —
    OSINT findings
    Dilution riskUnknown
    Liquidity riskMedium
    Net cash is negative after subtracting total debt.

    Evidence & claims

    From filings & derived data
    • Net income (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -6.9%Derived (calculated)
    • Operating income (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 11.4%Derived (calculated)
    • Long-term debt (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 0.2%Derived (calculated)
    • Shareholders' equity (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 6.3%Derived (calculated)
    • Revenue (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 7.0%Derived (calculated)
    • Gross profit (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -0.9%Derived (calculated)
    • EPS (diluted) (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -6.8%Derived (calculated)
    • EPS (basic) (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -7.2%Derived (calculated)
    • Cost of revenue (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 8.1%Derived (calculated)
    • R&D expense (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 3.7%Derived (calculated)
    • Cash & equivalents (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 33.1%Derived (calculated)
    • Capex (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -0.2%Derived (calculated)
    • Return on assets (FY 2025-12-31): 2.0%Derived (calculated)
    • Current ratio (FY 2025-12-31): 1.29xDerived (calculated)
    • Operating cash flow (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): -8.7%Derived (calculated)
    • Total assets (YoY) (2025-12-31 vs 2024-12-31): 2.3%Derived (calculated)
    • Net margin (FY 2025-12-31): 2.0%Derived (calculated)
    • Gross margin (FY 2025-12-31): 11.6%Derived (calculated)
    • Return on equity (FY 2025-12-31): 3.8%Derived (calculated)
    • Cost of revenue (annual): USD 2.06BSEC XBRL filing
    • R&D expense (annual): USD 34.8MSEC XBRL filing
    • Revenue (annual): USD 2.33BSEC XBRL filing
    • EPS (diluted) (annual): USD-PER-SHARES 2SEC XBRL filing
    • Net income (annual): USD 46.9MSEC XBRL filing
    Showing 24 of 60 surfaced claims.
    Atomic claims from regulatory filings and derived calculations. Provenance shown as source kind only.

    The Thread

    Everything we know, in order
    — missing data
    Sources filings · IR · transcripts · market data · tier hybrid · as of 2026-08-01 Market data · Issuer disclosures · Public news · Earnings transcripts · Consensus estimates · ESG data · Reference data Premium coverage