Westlake Chemical (WLK) Q2 Earnings, Sales Trounce Estimates

Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE:WLK) saw lower profits in the second quarter of 2019, hurt by reduced sales prices for its major products. The chemical maker posted a profit of $119 million or 92 cents per share for the quarter, down around 57% from $278 million or $2.12 it earned in the year-ago quarter.

Barring one-time items, adjusted earnings per share were 92 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents.

Sales fell roughly 4% year over year to $2,144 million. However, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,098.9 million.

Lower sales prices for key products due to trade uncertainties and a slower global economic growth were, in part, offset by reduced feedstock and purchased ethylene costs, lower fuel costs and increased polyethylene sales volumes.

Segment Highlights

Sales in the Olefins segment fell 1% year over year to $477 million in the quarter. Operating income in the segment tumbled roughly 48% to $82 million. The decline was mainly due to reduced sales prices and margins for major products.

The Vinyls segment generated sales of $1,667 million, down around 5% year over year. Operating income in the segment was $129 million, down around 52% year over year. The decline was caused by reduced sales prices for caustic soda and lower margins for PVC (polyvinyl chloride) resin.

Financial Position

Westlake Chemical ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $409 million, down around 15% year over year. Long-term debt was $2,669 million, essentially flat year over year.

Cash flow from operations was $320 million for the reported quarter.

Outlook

Westlake Chemical noted that it faced challenges, in the second quarter, from lower commodity pricing due to slowing global growth and industrial activity, and logistics constraints and delay in shipments of its major products due to flood in the continental United States. Moreover, prolonged winter weather in much of North America led to a sluggish start of the construction season.

The company is seeing some improvements in industry fundamentals which it expects to continue into second-half 2019.

Price Performance

Shares of Westlake Chemical have lost 36.9% in a year’s time compared with the industry’s 41.8% decline.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Westlake Chemical currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Better-ranked stocks worth considering in the basic materials space include SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ:SSRM) , Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC) and Flexible Solutions International Inc (NYSE:FSI) .

SSR Mining has an estimated earnings growth rate of 134.8% for the current year and carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Its shares have rallied 65% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Kinross has projected earnings growth rate of 110% for the current year and carries a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s shares have gained 46% in a year’s time.

Flexible Solutions has an expected earnings growth rate of 342.9% for the current fiscal year and carries Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Its shares have surged around 118% in the past year.

This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019

Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities.

These companies are changing the world – and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month.

Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >>