janes you made a good point about LYB- I feel the same way. I have been on both sides of LYB in the past-- Both good and bad-- I'll say this for the name it does move! It will not bore you. But there's alot to consider with these type commodity/ names.. it's like refiners... it's tough to get it right. Look at the corporate update from UFI-
Unifi provides Q3 outlook, net sales trends continue to improve sequentially 01/27 UFI Because of the continued global economic impact and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the company's outlook for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 is limited to the following expectations: Net sales trends continue to improve sequentially, including sales of REPREVE Fiber, with net sales returning to the pre-pandemic level of the March 2020 quarter; and Adjusted EBITDA improves by a low double-digit percentage from the pre-pandemic level of the March 2020 quarter by maintaining the underlying business momentum that has occurred in fiscal 2021, with consideration for the following factors that are expected to differ from the December 2020 quarter: Continued strong performance by the Brazil Segment, albeit tempered from the record setting December 2020 quarter; Unfavorable seasonal domestic shutdown impacts to gross profit for the Polyester and Nylon Segments; Unfavorable impact of the Chinese New Year holiday for the Asia Segment; and Raw material cost pressures due to recent increases in petroleum prices.
Tough biz.
Unifi price target raised to $27 from $21 at Northland 01/29 UFI Northland analyst Gus Richard raised the firm's price target on Unifi to $27 from $21 and reiterates an Outperform rating on the shares. While the analyst thinks fiscal Q2 gross margin represents a near-term peak, he thinks Unifi's mix and efficiencies will lift margin moving forward above prior assumptions. Longer-term tailwinds include additional import duties as well as increasing demand for sustainable products, Richard tells investors in a research note.
Here is LYB's update-
LyondellBasell reports Q4 ex-items EPS $2.19, consensus $1.36 01/29 LYB Reports Q4 revenue $7.94B, consensus $7.03B. "During 2020, LyondellBasell demonstrated financial and operational resilience against an extremely challenging backdrop of a global pandemic, the associated recession, volatile oil prices and significant capacity additions in our industry. We moved swiftly to create a safe work environment for our employees and continuously supply customers with essential products throughout the pandemic. Our strengths in operational excellence, cost management and capital discipline served us well as we quickly adapted to dynamic conditions by aggressively managing inventories, minimizing working capital and bolstering liquidity by rapidly accessing capital markets and efficiently generating cash. LyondellBasell honored commitments to investors by both maintaining an investment grade credit rating and continuing to fund dividends and capital investments with cash from operations. Taken together, these actions enabled us to successfully navigate a challenging year and remain focused on our strategy to build a stronger company for our stakeholders," said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell CEO.
LyondellBasell upgraded to Buy from Hold at Argus 02/02 LYB Argus analyst Bill Selesky upgraded LyondellBasell to Buy from Hold with a $99 price target. The company stands to benefit from the "sustainably higher" polyethylene margins, and the increase in auto production should drive volume and margin growth in its Polypropylene and Advanced Polymer Solutions businesses, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Selesky also boosts his FY21 EPS view on LyondellBasell to $8.23 from $7.10 while noting that its 10.4-times forward earnings multiple is "favorable" relative to the 9-year annual average range of 9- to 12-times.
