Tearsheet

Stepan (SCL)


Market Price (12/27/2025): $47.04 | Market Cap: $1.1 Bil
Sector: Materials | Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Stepan (SCL)


Market Price (12/27/2025): $47.04
Market Cap: $1.1 Bil
Sector: Materials
Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.


0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 7.4%, Dividend Yield is 3.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 3.3%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -93%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -135%
Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 55%
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 34%
  Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.5%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Advanced Materials, Sustainable Consumption, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include Specialty Chemicals for Performance, Show more.
  Key risks
SCL key risks include [1] high susceptibility to volatile raw material and energy costs, Show more.
0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 7.4%, Dividend Yield is 3.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 3.3%
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 34%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Advanced Materials, Sustainable Consumption, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include Specialty Chemicals for Performance, Show more.
3 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -93%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -135%
4 Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 55%
5 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.5%
6 Key risks
SCL key risks include [1] high susceptibility to volatile raw material and energy costs, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

SCL Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Analysis | Feedback

<b>1. Stepan's Q2 2025 Earnings Miss and Market Reaction.</b>

Stepan Company's stock experienced a significant negative reaction following its Q2 2025 earnings report on July 30, 2025. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52, falling short of the forecasted $0.90, and revenue of $594.69 million, which was slightly below the expected $598.25 million. This resulted in shares dropping 8.8% in pre-market trading, setting a negative sentiment as the requested period began.

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<b>2. Challenging Macroeconomic Environment and Margin Compression.</b>

Throughout the period, Stepan navigated a challenging macroeconomic environment characterized by high interest rates and fluctuating demand across various sectors. The company faced significant increases in oil chemical raw material prices, which negatively impacted surfactant margins. This led to overall margin contraction and a sharp decline in net income, with gross profits experiencing a reduction.

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<b>3. Mixed Q3 2025 Earnings Performance and Profitability Decline.</b>

On October 29, 2025, Stepan reported its Q3 2025 earnings. While the EPS of $0.48 beat the consensus estimate of $0.36, the quarterly revenue of $590.28 million missed the consensus estimate of $593.65 million. More significantly, reported net income was down 54% compared to the prior year, primarily due to a higher effective tax rate and increased interest expense. Furthermore, surfactant adjusted EBITDA declined due to lower sales volume, reduced unit margins, and higher costs associated with the startup of a new alkoxylation site.

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<b>4. Negative Analyst Sentiment and Underperformance.</b>

Analyst sentiment for Stepan was largely neutral to negative during this timeframe. As of December 2025, two Wall Street analysts held a "Reduce" consensus rating for SCL, with one analyst issuing a sell rating and another a hold rating. Additionally, other reports indicated a consensus of "Hold" ratings with no "Buy" or "Sell" ratings in the current month, suggesting a lack of strong positive catalysts. This general lack of bullish sentiment contributed to the stock's downward pressure.

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<b>5. Strategic Divestment Amidst Broader Stock Plunge.</b>

On November 25, 2025, Stepan completed the sale of its subsidiary, Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. (SPQI). While the company stated this move was to "sharpen the focus on core operations," the accompanying news highlighted that SCL's shares had plunged 40.7% over the past year, significantly underperforming the industry's 25.5% decline. This divestment, set against a backdrop of ongoing significant stock depreciation, likely contributed to investor concerns regarding the company's overall trajectory despite the stated strategic benefits.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Fundamental Drivers

The 0.5% change in SCL stock from 9/26/2025 to 12/26/2025 was primarily driven by a 29.0% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
926202512262025Change
Stock Price ($)46.8247.070.54%
Change Contribution ByLTMLTM
Total Revenues ($ Mil)2260.392303.841.92%
Net Income Margin (%)2.57%1.96%-23.48%
P/E Multiple18.4523.8028.96%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)22.8622.88-0.04%
Cumulative Contribution0.54%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

9/26/2025 to 12/26/2025
ReturnCorrelation
SCL0.5% 
Market (SPY)4.3%30.1%
Sector (XLB)3.8%56.2%

Fundamental Drivers

The -13.6% change in SCL stock from 6/27/2025 to 12/26/2025 was primarily driven by a -22.3% change in the company's Net Income Margin (%).
627202512262025Change
Stock Price ($)54.5147.07-13.64%
Change Contribution ByLTMLTM
Total Revenues ($ Mil)2222.112303.843.68%
Net Income Margin (%)2.53%1.96%-22.34%
P/E Multiple22.1823.807.29%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)22.8722.88-0.03%
Cumulative Contribution-13.64%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

6/27/2025 to 12/26/2025
ReturnCorrelation
SCL-13.6% 
Market (SPY)12.6%29.9%
Sector (XLB)5.4%66.2%

Fundamental Drivers

The -27.7% change in SCL stock from 12/26/2024 to 12/26/2025 was primarily driven by a -26.7% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
1226202412262025Change
Stock Price ($)65.1247.07-27.72%
Change Contribution ByLTMLTM
Total Revenues ($ Mil)2186.802303.845.35%
Net Income Margin (%)2.10%1.96%-6.29%
P/E Multiple32.4523.80-26.66%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)22.8422.88-0.17%
Cumulative Contribution-27.72%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

12/26/2024 to 12/26/2025
ReturnCorrelation
SCL-27.7% 
Market (SPY)15.8%54.1%
Sector (XLB)9.6%70.9%

Fundamental Drivers

The -53.4% change in SCL stock from 12/27/2022 to 12/26/2025 was primarily driven by a -64.7% change in the company's Net Income Margin (%).
1227202212262025Change
Stock Price ($)101.0547.07-53.42%
Change Contribution ByLTMLTM
Total Revenues ($ Mil)2756.122303.84-16.41%
Net Income Margin (%)5.56%1.96%-64.70%
P/E Multiple15.0023.8058.70%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)22.7522.88-0.54%
Cumulative Contribution-53.42%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

12/27/2023 to 12/26/2025
ReturnCorrelation
SCL-47.6% 
Market (SPY)48.0%52.3%
Sector (XLB)10.5%68.5%

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
SCL Return18%5%-13%-10%-30%-25%-49%
Peers Return16%38%-12%21%26%16%150%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%18%114%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
SCL Win Rate67%50%42%50%42%33% 
Peers Win Rate52%65%42%68%57%52% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
SCL Max Drawdown-30%-7%-24%-40%-30%-33% 
Peers Max Drawdown-34%-5%-26%-7%-9%-23% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: HPQ, HPE, IBM, CSCO, AAPL. See SCL Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/26/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventSCLS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-53.9%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven116.7%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-32.4%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven47.8%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven133 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-25.2%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven33.8%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven288 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-61.7%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven160.8%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven189 days1,480 days

Compare to HPQ, HPE, IBM, CSCO, AAPL

In The Past

Stepan's stock fell -53.9% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 5/6/2021. A -53.9% loss requires a 116.7% gain to breakeven.

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About Stepan (SCL)

Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used as principal ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, and lubricating ingredients. Its surfactants are also used in various applications, including emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products; and industrial applications comprising latex systems, plastics, and composites. The Polymers segment provides polyurethane polyols that are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry, as well as a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE); polyester resins, including liquid and powdered products, which are used in CASE applications; and phthalic anhydride that is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and plasticizers for applications in construction materials, as well as components of automotive, boating, and other consumer products. The Specialty Products segment offers flavors, emulsifiers, and solubilizers for use in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. It serves in the United States, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and internationally. Stepan Company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.

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Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Stepan (SCL):

  • A specialty chemical company, much like a focused version of Dow or DuPont, providing essential ingredients for detergents, cosmetics, and industrial products.
  • The 'hidden ingredient' provider for many consumer and industrial products, similar to how International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) supplies flavors and fragrances.
  • An essential ingredient supplier for various manufacturers, comparable to how Cargill provides ingredients for food, but for chemicals used in cleaning and personal care products.

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  • Surfactants: Chemical compounds used in a wide range of consumer products like detergents, shampoos, and cosmetics, as well as industrial applications such as oilfield and agricultural chemicals.
  • Polymers: Primarily used in the production of polyurethane foam for insulation, furniture, and automotive applications, and also in coatings, adhesives, and sealants.
  • Specialty Products: Diverse chemical intermediates including phthalic anhydride and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) for food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical industries.

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Major Customers of Stepan (SCL)

Stepan Company (SCL) primarily sells its specialty chemicals and intermediate products to other companies (Business-to-Business, or B2B), rather than directly to individual consumers.

According to its most recent 10-K filings, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of Stepan's consolidated net sales during the past three fiscal years. This indicates a diversified customer base, and Stepan does not publicly disclose the names of specific "major" customer companies.

Instead, Stepan serves a wide array of manufacturers across various industries. The primary categories of companies that utilize Stepan's products include:

  • Consumer Product Manufacturers: These companies produce everyday items such as laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, and other personal care products. They incorporate Stepan's surfactants and specialty ingredients into their final product formulations.
  • Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Product Manufacturers: Businesses that develop and supply cleaning products for commercial and industrial applications, disinfectants, oilfield chemicals, agricultural chemicals, and materials for construction, such as rigid polyurethane foam insulation.
  • Food, Flavor, Fragrance, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Companies that utilize Stepan's specialty products (e.g., emulsifiers, flavor ingredients, solubilizers) in the production of food and beverage items, flavorings, fragrances, and pharmaceutical formulations.

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Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer

Luis E. Rojo was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Stepan Company on October 30, 2024, and also joined the Board of Directors at that time. Prior to this role, he served as Stepan's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from April 2018. Before joining Stepan, Mr. Rojo had a 21-year career at Procter & Gamble Co., holding increasingly senior finance leadership positions. His experience at Stepan has been noted for his deep understanding of all aspects of the business, combining a strong financial mindset with strategic thinking and a focus on driving commercial and operational results.

Ruben Velasquez, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ruben Velasquez was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Stepan Company, effective July 15, 2025. He brings over two decades of global finance leadership experience across diverse industries. Most recently, he served as Vice President Global Finance Transformation at 3M Company from 2022 through 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Velasquez held several other senior finance roles at 3M, including Vice President Global Finance and CFO Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations, and Vice President Global Finance and CFO Consumer Business. He also held positions as Finance Director and Country CFO at 3M Russia and 3M Colombia. Mr. Velasquez began his finance career at Ecopetrol in Colombia, where he held senior finance leadership roles such as Finance Director Corporate FP&A and Treasury, and Interim Vice President and Corporate Chief Financial Officer.

F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman of the Board

F. Quinn Stepan, Jr. has served as the Chairman of the Board of Stepan Company since January 2017. He previously held the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 2006 until his retirement as CEO in April 2022, after which he continued as non-executive Chairman. Mr. Stepan joined the company in 1987, following four years with Monsanto Co. Over his career of more than 30 years with Stepan, he has held various positions of increasing responsibility across different functions, including serving as Vice President and General Manager of the surfactant department before becoming president in 1999. He is the son of F. Quinn Stepan, Sr., and the grandson of the company's founder, Alfred C. Stepan Jr.

Robert J. Haire, Jr., Executive Vice President, Supply Chain

Robert J. Haire, Jr. is the Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Stepan Company. His specific background details regarding previous companies managed, company sales, or private equity involvement are not readily available in the provided search results.

Jason Scott Keiper, Vice President and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer

Jason Scott Keiper is the Vice President and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer at Stepan Company. Before joining Stepan, Mr. Keiper worked at Syngenta, where he held roles such as Head, Product Technology and Engineering; Head, Global Formulation and Analytical Development; Technology and Engineering; and Technology and Projects Manager, North America.

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The key risks to Stepan Company's business include:
  1. Volatility of Raw Material and Energy Costs: Stepan's profitability is significantly influenced by the fluctuating costs of raw materials, such as petroleum-based products, and energy, particularly natural gas. Raw materials alone constitute approximately 60% of the company's annual revenues, making its margins highly susceptible to price instability. The company may not always be able to pass these increased costs on to customers due to existing arrangements and competitive market pressures.
  2. Exposure to Cyclical Industries and Economic Downturns: A substantial portion of Stepan's sales, about 40%, is derived from cyclical industries like energy, construction, automotive, and industrial sectors. Consequently, the company's sales, earnings, and cash flow are prone to fluctuations with the broader global economy. Economic downturns or recessions in these industries can lead to significant reductions in product volumes, sales, and profit margins.
  3. International Business Risks: With 40% of its sales generated overseas and significant exposure to emerging markets, Stepan faces considerable international business risks. These include currency exchange rate fluctuations, which can impact financial results, and changes in global trade policies, such as the imposition of tariffs. Geopolitical instability in regions where Stepan operates also poses a risk.

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The accelerated development and commercialization of cost-competitive, high-performance bio-based and circular economy chemical alternatives in Stepan's key markets (surfactants, polyols) by rival established chemical companies or disruptive startups. This trend, driven by increasing consumer demand, regulatory pressure, and investor focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, represents a fundamental shift in feedstock sourcing and chemical manufacturing processes. While Stepan is investing in sustainable solutions, a competitor achieving a significant breakthrough in scalability, cost-effectiveness, or superior performance in these new chemical platforms could disrupt Stepan's traditional petrochemical-based product lines and erode market share.

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Stepan Company (SCL) operates primarily in three business segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The addressable markets for these main product categories are detailed below.

Surfactants

Surfactants constitute the largest segment of Stepan's business, with applications spanning household and personal care products, industrial and institutional cleaning, agricultural chemicals, and oilfield solutions.

  • The global surfactants market size was valued at approximately USD 47.36 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 70.13 billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period. Another estimate indicates a global market size of USD 51.9 billion in 2025, expected to reach USD 82.1 billion by 2035.
  • In North America, the surfactants market is projected to reach approximately 25% of the global market by 2025. The U.S. surfactants market is specifically projected to reach USD 12.82 billion by 2032.
  • The Asia Pacific region is a dominant market, holding approximately 40.31% of the global surfactants market in 2023. This region's market size was exhibited at USD 17.28 billion in 2025 and is projected to be worth around USD 28.04 billion by 2034.

Polymers

Stepan's Polymers segment focuses on producing polyurethane polyols, polyester resins, and phthalic anhydride, which are used in construction materials, automotive, marine, and other consumer products.

  • The global specialty polymer market size, which encompasses Stepan's polymer offerings, was estimated at USD 88.55 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach approximately USD 170.96 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.80%. Other analyses suggest a global market size of USD 199.5 billion in 2025, expected to reach USD 422.9 billion by 2035 with a CAGR of 7.8%.
  • North America is a significant market for specialty polymers, holding approximately 40% of the global share. The Asia Pacific region is also a dominant market for specialty polymers, with a market share of over 40% in 2023. The Asia Pacific specialty polymer market size was USD 35.42 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 69.24 billion by 2034.

Specialty Products

Stepan's Specialty Products segment includes chemicals used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceutical applications, such as esters, fats, and oils used as emulsifiers and solubilizers.

  • While a comprehensive market size for all of Stepan's diverse specialty products is not readily available as a single figure, a key component within this segment is Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). The global active pharmaceutical ingredients market size was estimated at USD 255.01 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 359.45 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.8%. Another source values the global API market at USD 253.27 million in 2024, expected to reach USD 419.16 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.50%.
  • North America holds a substantial share in the active pharmaceutical ingredients market, with a revenue share of 38.04% in 2024. The U.S. active pharmaceutical ingredients market alone was valued at USD 87.50 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 123.25 billion by 2033.

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Stepan Company (SCL) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key initiatives and market trends:

  1. Volume Growth in Key End Markets: Stepan anticipates continued volume expansion across several of its core businesses. This includes double-digit volume growth in Surfactants within the Personal Care, Oil Field, Agricultural, and Construction and Industrial Solutions end markets. Growth is also expected with its distribution partners and in Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Brazil due to strong agricultural demand and new contracted business. The Polymers segment also saw volume growth in North American and European Rigid Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride products.
  2. Pasadena Facility Contribution: The new Pasadena, Texas alkoxylation facility, which became operational in late 2025 and is expected to reach full contribution in 2026, is a significant driver. This facility is designed to support the growth of Stepan's specialty alkoxylation business, increase overall volumes, and enhance supply chain leverage, contributing to margin recovery.
  3. Improved Product Mix and High-Margin Offerings: The company is focusing on a more profitable product mix, particularly within the Surfactants segment, by targeting high-margin new customers and leveraging strong growth in specialty alkoxylation. Specialty Products, including the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line, have also shown robust volume and margin growth.
  4. Rebounding Polymer Demand: Stepan expects an improvement in Polymer demand, especially Rigid Polyols, contingent on macroeconomic clarity and a favorable interest rate environment that could stimulate construction activity. Growth in Rigid Polyols has been observed across all global regions.
  5. Cost Reduction and Operational Efficiency: While primarily impacting profitability, ongoing cost reduction programs and productivity improvements are expected to support overall financial health and can indirectly contribute to revenue growth by allowing for competitive pricing and freeing up resources for strategic investments.

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Capital Allocation Decisions (2020-2025)

Share Repurchases

  • Stepan Company completed the repurchase of 251,120 shares for $25.06 million under an equity buyback plan announced on October 20, 2021.
  • No shares were repurchased for $0 million between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, as part of the aforementioned buyback plan.

Outbound Investments

  • In the second quarter of 2024, Stepan's pre-tax earnings were negatively impacted by $3.5 million due to expenses related to a criminal social engineering scheme at a subsidiary in Asia, which resulted in fraudulently induced outbound payments.

Capital Expenditures

  • Capital expenditures were $126 million in 2020, $190 million in 2021, $302 million in 2022, $260 million in 2023, and $123 million in 2024.
  • For the full year 2025, Stepan forecasts capital expenditures to be between $120 million and $125 million.
  • A primary focus of capital expenditures has been the new alkoxylation capacity in Pasadena, Texas, which had an estimated CapEx of $265 million and was expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2025. This investment is strategic for growing the alkoxylation business in ethoxylates and propoxylates.

Better Bets than Stepan (SCL)

Trade Ideas

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Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
DD_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025DDDuPont de NemoursDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
7.6%7.6%-0.2%
CF_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025CFCF IndustriesMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-1.4%-1.4%-3.1%
HL_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025HLHecla MiningQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
51.0%51.0%0.0%
CDE_11072025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11072025CDECoeur MiningDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
30.6%30.6%-5.7%
ATR_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ATRAptarGroupDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
6.2%6.2%-2.5%

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Peer Comparisons for Stepan

Peers to compare with:

Financials

SCLHPQHPEIBMCSCOAAPLMedian
NameStepan HP Hewlett .Internat.Cisco Sy.Apple  
Mkt Price47.0723.2624.49305.0978.16273.4062.61
Mkt Cap1.121.932.6284.9309.24,074.4158.8
Rev LTM2,30455,29534,29665,40257,696408,62556,496
Op Inc LTM763,6241,64411,54412,991130,2147,584
FCF LTM322,80062711,85412,73396,1847,327
FCF 3Y Avg-192,9781,40011,75313,879100,5037,366
CFO LTM1563,6972,91913,48313,744108,5658,590
CFO 3Y Avg1703,6723,89613,49814,736111,5598,697

Growth & Margins

SCLHPQHPEIBMCSCOAAPLMedian
NameStepan HP Hewlett .Internat.Cisco Sy.Apple  
Rev Chg LTM5.4%3.2%13.8%4.5%8.9%6.0%5.7%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-5.5%-3.9%6.5%2.6%3.7%1.8%2.2%
Rev Chg Q7.9%4.2%14.4%9.1%7.5%9.6%8.5%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM1.9%1.1%3.7%2.1%1.8%2.1%2.0%
Op Mgn LTM3.3%6.6%4.8%17.7%22.5%31.9%12.1%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg3.2%7.4%7.2%16.4%24.2%30.8%11.9%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-0.2%-0.2%-1.4%0.6%0.4%0.1%-0.1%
CFO/Rev LTM6.8%6.7%8.5%20.6%23.8%26.6%14.6%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg7.4%6.8%12.7%21.4%26.1%28.4%17.1%
FCF/Rev LTM1.4%5.1%1.8%18.1%22.1%23.5%11.6%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-0.7%5.5%4.6%18.6%24.6%25.6%12.1%

Valuation

SCLHPQHPEIBMCSCOAAPLMedian
NameStepan HP Hewlett .Internat.Cisco Sy.Apple  
Mkt Cap1.121.932.6284.9309.24,074.4158.8
P/S0.50.41.04.45.410.02.7
P/EBIT12.66.819.925.122.531.321.2
P/E23.88.6572.736.029.941.033.0
P/CFO6.95.911.221.122.537.516.2
Total Yield7.4%14.1%2.3%5.0%5.4%2.8%5.2%
Dividend Yield3.2%2.5%2.1%2.2%2.1%0.4%2.1%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-0.8%10.6%5.5%6.4%6.0%3.1%5.7%
D/E0.70.50.70.20.10.00.4
Net D/E0.50.30.60.20.00.00.3

Returns

SCLHPQHPEIBMCSCOAAPLMedian
NameStepan HP Hewlett .Internat.Cisco Sy.Apple  
1M Rtn4.6%-1.8%14.4%0.6%2.7%-1.5%1.7%
3M Rtn0.5%-11.9%2.7%7.9%17.0%7.1%4.9%
6M Rtn-13.6%-4.0%34.5%6.6%15.2%36.3%10.9%
12M Rtn-27.7%-27.3%14.2%39.2%33.7%6.0%10.1%
3Y Rtn-53.4%-3.8%67.7%139.0%79.5%113.4%73.6%
1M Excs Rtn2.1%-5.6%12.9%-2.2%-0.0%-3.7%-1.1%
3M Excs Rtn-3.8%-16.2%-1.7%3.6%12.7%2.8%0.6%
6M Excs Rtn-25.9%-16.3%22.3%-5.7%3.0%24.0%-1.3%
12M Excs Rtn-43.4%-42.9%-0.7%25.0%19.9%-8.4%-4.6%
3Y Excs Rtn-134.6%-83.5%-11.2%59.6%-1.2%28.4%-6.2%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Surfactants1,6031,8831,5631,3521,273
Polymers642789713452512
Specialty Products80101706674
Total2,3262,7732,3461,8701,859


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Surfactants72163166169123
Polymers6183746870
Specialty Products1130141416
Unallocated Corporate Expenses-86-68-80-79-79
Business restructuring -0-3-1-3
Total59207171172127


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Surfactants1,5861,5791,2451,019907
Polymers537566557361338
Unallocated Assets170192186280247
Specialty Products7196789387
Total2,3632,4332,0661,7521,579


Price Behavior

Price Behavior
Market Price$47.07 
Market Cap ($ Bil)1.1 
First Trading Date03/17/1992 
Distance from 52W High-27.7% 
   50 Days200 Days
DMA Price$45.00$49.92
DMA Trenddowndown
Distance from DMA4.6%-5.7%
 3M1YR
Volatility26.2%34.1%
Downside Capture82.53125.68
Upside Capture68.2775.38
Correlation (SPY)30.8%54.0%
SCL Betas & Captures as of 11/30/2025

 1M2M3M6M1Y3Y
Beta0.670.700.841.020.960.99
Up Beta1.080.521.121.330.991.02
Down Beta-1.470.190.270.480.790.87
Up Capture139%67%56%62%59%46%
Bmk +ve Days13263974142427
Stock +ve Days11193065118361
Down Capture60%113%133%154%120%106%
Bmk -ve Days7162452107323
Stock -ve Days9233361131390

[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
 Comparison of SCL With Other Asset Classes (Last 1Y)
 SCLSector ETFEquityGoldCommoditiesReal EstateBitcoin
Annualized Return-27.8%9.9%17.8%72.1%8.6%4.4%-8.3%
Annualized Volatility33.9%19.9%19.4%19.3%15.2%17.0%35.0%
Sharpe Ratio-0.910.360.722.700.340.09-0.08
Correlation With Other Assets 71.0%54.1%-4.1%13.9%57.3%32.5%

ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLB, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
 Comparison of SCL With Other Asset Classes (Last 5Y)
 SCLSector ETFEquityGoldCommoditiesReal EstateBitcoin
Annualized Return-15.5%7.2%14.7%18.7%11.5%4.6%30.8%
Annualized Volatility28.5%18.9%17.1%15.5%18.7%18.9%48.7%
Sharpe Ratio-0.560.290.700.970.500.160.57
Correlation With Other Assets 63.9%52.1%8.4%15.3%49.8%23.5%

ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLB, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
 Comparison of SCL With Other Asset Classes (Last 10Y)
 SCLSector ETFEquityGoldCommoditiesReal EstateBitcoin
Annualized Return0.6%10.1%14.8%15.3%7.0%5.3%69.2%
Annualized Volatility31.1%20.7%18.0%14.7%17.6%20.8%55.8%
Sharpe Ratio0.090.440.710.860.320.220.90
Correlation With Other Assets 60.5%55.1%0.9%19.6%45.3%14.6%

ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLB, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date12152025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity354,562
Short Interest: % Change Since 11302025-3.4%
Average Daily Volume173,100
Days-to-Cover Short Interest2.05
Basic Shares Quantity22,875,000
Short % of Basic Shares1.5%

Earnings Returns History

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 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
7/30/2025-9.7%-8.2%-7.0%
2/19/20250.1%1.4%-5.6%
10/30/20242.0%1.9%4.3%
7/31/2024-6.0%-18.6%-14.1%
4/30/2024-1.8%2.6%-1.9%
2/20/2024-2.3%-3.3%-6.4%
10/18/20236.2%8.8%18.0%
7/26/2023-3.2%-1.8%-11.4%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive9119
# Negative10810
Median Positive3.2%2.5%5.8%
Median Negative-2.6%-5.8%-6.7%
Max Positive6.2%8.8%18.0%
Max Negative-9.7%-18.6%-14.1%

SEC Filings

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Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251105202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025806202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025507202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024227202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241106202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024808202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024508202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023229202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231102202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023803202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023504202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022228202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221103202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022804202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022505202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021225202210-K 12/31/2021