DailyIQ
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Sector:Basic MaterialsAll sectors
Last updated 3 minutes ago

CE·Celanese Corporation

$.
-. (-.%)
After Hours
High
$48.27
Open
$47.43
Market Cap
5.21B
52W High
$70.70
Low
$46.62
P. Close
$47.19
P/E
-
52W Low
$35.13
Fwd P/E
7.27
DailyIQ Est.
$71.41
Technical Score (1D)
23
SELL
News Sentiment
48
MIXED
Argus Research has lifted its target price for Celanese to $46, citing expectations of stronger revenue growth and improved gross margins. The upgrade signals a more bullish view on the company’s near‑term earnings trajectory, which could lift investor sentiment in the next trading week. However, the lift comes amid a patchwork of analyst revisions, with BMO Capital, Mizuho, RBC, and BofA all trimming targets in recent weeks, underscoring lingering uncertainty about the specialty‑chemicals sector. The mixed commentary suggests that while some analysts see upside, others remain cautious about margin pressure and competitive dynamics. Traders should therefore focus on the upcoming Q2 earnings conference call on August 5, where Celanese will disclose revenue, margin, and capital‑allocation guidance. Pay particular attention to any updates on raw‑material cost management, as rising commodity prices have been a recurring concern in recent downgrades. Additionally, the company’s partnership with Siegwerk to develop bio‑based ethyl acetate inks could open new revenue streams, but the timing of product launches remains unclear. Monitoring the earnings call for indications of how the ink collaboration will impact demand and pricing power will be key. Finally, keep an eye on sector‑wide developments in specialty chemicals, such as regulatory changes or shifts in automotive and industrial demand, which could influence Celanese’s performance in the coming days.
Earnings Summary
Celanese Corporation (CE) is a global manufacturer of engineered polymers and acetyl products, operating through Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain segments that serve automotive, medical, consumer electronics, and construction markets. The company’s chemical products are distributed directly and via distributors to OEMs worldwide, positioning it within the broader Basic Materials sector. In the most recent quarters, Celanese posted earnings per share that consistently beat analyst expectations for the first four quarters of 2025, with Q4 2024 EPS of $1.45 versus an estimate of $1.20, Q1 2025 EPS of $0.57 versus $0.39, Q2 2025 EPS of $1.44 versus $1.40, and Q3 2025 EPS of $1.34 versus $1.22; however, the company missed estimates in Q4 2025 (EPS $0.67 versus $0.94) and Q1 2026 (EPS $0.85 versus $0.87). Revenue mirrored this pattern, rising from $2.37 billion in Q4 2024 to a peak of $2.53 billion in Q2 2025 before declining to $2.20 billion in Q4 2025, and then rebounding to $2.34 billion in Q1 2026, indicating a recent slowdown in top‑line growth that has partially recovered. Historically, Celanese has delivered a streak of earnings beats followed by a brief period of misses, suggesting a shift in market dynamics or cost pressures that may be influencing profitability. Recent analyst commentary reflects this uncertainty, with Argus Research raising its target price to $46 on the back of expected stronger revenue growth and improved gross margins, while other analysts have lowered their targets amid concerns over margin compression and rising raw‑material costs; the company’s partnership with Siegwerk on sustainable inks and the CO₂‑based POM deal with Aisan are highlighted as potential new revenue drivers. Investors should watch the upcoming Q2 2026 earnings release for guidance on revenue, margin trends, and cost‑control initiatives, as well as any updates on the progress of these product launches to assess whether the company can sustain its recent earnings momentum and address the margin pressures noted by analysts.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$0.11$0.71$1.31$1.91$2.51Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$2.23 - -
Q1'26$0.87$0.85-2.8%
Q4'25$0.94$0.67-28.6%
Q3'25$1.22$1.34+9.6%
Q2'25$1.40$1.44+2.8%
Q1'25$0.39$0.57+47.8%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$2.1B$2.3B$2.5B$2.7B$2.9BQ1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$2.8B - -
Q1'26$2.4B$2.3B-2.5%
Q4'25$2.3B$2.2B-5.1%
Q3'25 - $2.4B -
Q2'25 - $2.5B -
Q1'25 - $2.4B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
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Market Data

CE Stock Snapshot

CE is currently trading at $47.21, giving Celanese Corporation a market cap of 5.21B. Today's range spans $46.62–$48.27, with shares opening at $47.43 and moving up $0.02 (0.0%) from the prior close. DailyIQ's technical score sits at 23/100 (SELL) with a news sentiment reading of 48/100.

Over the past year CE has traded between $35.13 and $70.70 - the current price is +34.4% off the 52-week low and -33.2% from the high. 27 analysts cover the stock with a Buy consensus and a mean 12-month target of $68.70 (range $48.00–$86.17), implying upside of +45.5%.

Liquidity risk is the overlooked factor in CE's non-bullish setup (23/100, SELL): at 5.21B in Basic Materials market cap, bid-ask spreads widen when sentiment is neutral (48/100) and technical momentum is absent. Price: $47.21 (in the lower half of its 52-week range in $35.13–$70.70). The exit costs in a thin-float small-cap stock with deteriorating technical conditions are materially higher than in larger-cap equivalents - a dynamic that risk managers typically account for before the technicals get worse, not after.

Small-cap Basic Materials names with SELL technicals (23/100) and neutral sentiment (48/100) like CE tend to experience sentiment-driven re-ratings more sharply in both directions. At $47.21 (in the lower half of its 52-week range in $35.13–$70.70), the current setup suggests a stock that needs a material positive catalyst — not incremental improvement — to reverse the technical and sentiment readings that now define the 5.21B market cap trajectory.