Key Points
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB) finished the latest session at $43.84 versus a previous close of $46.03, down 4.76% on the day. The move left shares lower by $2.19, extending recent underperformance amid lingering pressure across commodity chemicals. The decline reflects persistent caution toward cyclical Materials names and company-specific factors weighing on sentiment.
From a trading perspective, LYB now sits about 45% below its 52-week high of $80.00 set on 12/04/2024, underscoring a sustained drawdown. The inability to regain and hold the mid-$40s has been notable, with sellers asserting control on attempts to rally. Traders are watching for signs of stabilization and whether shares can establish a durable base, as momentum remains negative and rallies have been short-lived.
In recent sessions, LYB has tracked broader Materials sector weakness as investors discount softer global industrial activity and volatile feedstock dynamics. A cautious stance toward chemical producers and ongoing concerns about earnings durability have kept risk appetite muted. Analyst downgrades and valuation resets have amplified directional moves, and with the stock already well off its highs, market participants appear focused on evidence of margin improvement or firming demand before committing new capital to LYB.
Why LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Price is Moving
At $43.84, LYB carries a market capitalization of $14.82 billion and a trailing EPS of $-3.74. The stock’s 52-week range spans $41.58 to $80.00, reflecting material volatility over the past year. A double-digit dividend yield of 11.84% further highlights market skepticism about cash flow durability, even as the payout enhances nominal income for existing holders. These metrics frame a company facing earnings pressure while navigating a cyclical downturn in the commodity chemicals value chain.
The latest quarterly snapshot intensified selling pressure. For Q3 2025 (reported Oct. 31), revenue was approximately $7.7 billion, down 10.2% year over year, reflecting a global slowdown in commodity chemicals. Sequentially, sales edged higher to $7.73 billion from $7.66 billion in Q2 2025, a modest 0.9% increase, but not enough to shift the broader narrative. LYB posted a net loss of roughly $890 million, or $2.77 per share, primarily driven by a $1.2 billion impairment charge, signaling ongoing strain in its core businesses and declining profitability. While adjusted EPS of $1.01 topped a lowered consensus, investors focused on weak net margins and the structural headwinds that continue to compress returns. Management outlined cost-reduction and cash improvement plans targeted at $600 million in 2025 and $1.1 billion by 2026, but confidence remains tentative given the macro backdrop.
Sentiment was further pressured by analyst revisions: JPMorgan cut its target to $50 (neutral), Wells Fargo reduced to $55 (overweight), and UBS moved to $43 (sell). Against a negative P/E ratio (-12.32), these actions reinforced concerns about valuation support amid declining earnings power. The combination of weak total return, cautious outlooks, and cyclical risk helps explain the 4.8% slide in LYB.
What is the LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Rating - Should I Sell or Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns LYB a D rating. Current recommendation is Sell.
The rating is built on six indices: the Weak Growth Index (measures revenue and earnings expansion) reflects deterioration consistent with -10.19% revenue growth; the Good Efficiency Index (measures operational effectiveness and profit margins) suggests relative discipline despite a -3.71% profit margin; the Good Solvency Index (measures balance sheet quality and debt management) indicates adequate financial flexibility. The Very Weak Total Return Index (measures stock price appreciation plus dividends) captures pronounced underperformance and drawdowns. The Weak Volatility Index (measures price stability and risk) points to elevated price swings versus peers. The Excellent Dividend Index (measures dividend-paying ability and yield) is supported by the 11.84% yield, though the market is discounting sustainability amid losses and a -12.32 P/E ratio.
Relative to sector peers, LYB’s D aligns with other challenged Materials names. International Paper (IP) holds a D+, First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO) is D+, and International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) is D-. This cluster of low ratings underscores broad cyclical and company-specific pressures across parts of the Materials sector.
In sum, the D rating reflects a weak risk/reward profile: contracting growth, negative profitability, and very weak total returns outweigh positives from solvency and dividends. The high yield and some operational strengths are insufficient to offset drawdowns, earnings volatility, and cyclical headwinds. Until the growth and total-return profiles improve, the Weiss framework deems LYB’s overall balance of risk and reward Weak.
About LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates within the Materials sector, producing and marketing chemicals, polymers, and related products used across global industrial and consumer supply chains. The company is among the world’s largest producers of polyolefins and a major supplier of intermediate chemicals that serve packaging, automotive, construction, consumer goods, and healthcare end markets. With manufacturing and technology assets spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia, LYB integrates large-scale production with process expertise to deliver commodity and specialty materials at global scale.
Key product lines include polyethylene and polypropylene resins, which are widely used in flexible and rigid packaging, industrial containers, pipes, and automotive components. The company’s Intermediates & Derivatives portfolio includes propylene oxide, oxyfuels, and acetyls used in foams, coatings, adhesives, and fuels. Advanced Polymer Solutions provides compounded and engineered plastics, masterbatches, and color and additive solutions tailored to specific customer applications. LyondellBasell also licenses its proprietary polyolefin process technologies and catalysts to third-party producers, extending its influence across the industry’s manufacturing base.
LyondellBasell’s market position is anchored by scale, technology licensing, and a broad product slate that spans commodity and higher-value applications. Its polyolefin process technologies and catalysts remain important differentiators, supporting customers’ efficiency and material performance needs. Strategic priorities typically focus on optimizing asset utilization, managing feedstock flexibility, and delivering consistent product quality across regions. The company’s diversified end-market exposure helps mitigate single-market risk, while its technology and licensing business provides an additional, asset-light revenue stream that complements large integrated production facilities.
Investor Outlook
With a Weiss Rating of D (Sell), investors should watch whether LYB can stabilize margins, demonstrate sustained revenue traction, and convert announced cost savings into improved cash generation. Sector pricing for commodity chemicals and the durability of the dividend will be key signals for sentiment and valuation recalibration. See full rankings of all D-rated Materials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.