Westlake (NYSE:WLK) Posts Earnings Results

Posted by Brian Himes on May 5th, 2026

Westlake (NYSE:WLK – Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Tuesday. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.77) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.22) by ($0.55), Zacks reports. Westlake had a negative net margin of 13.50% and a negative return on equity of 1.22%. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.31) EPS. Westlake’s quarterly revenue was down 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Westlake’s conference call:

The company says the Middle East conflict disrupted global supplies (about 10%–15% of polyethylene and ~5% of PVC), driving higher prices and late‑Q1 volume gains in the PEM segment and creating a North America cost advantage that could persist through 2026.
Management reports its three‑pillar profitability program delivered roughly $150 million of EBITDA uplift in Q1 and remains on track for the $600 million 2026 target, with epoxy returned to profitability.
HIP is expected to face near‑term margin pressure from a slow start to the homebuilding season and timing lags in passing through higher PVC resin and transportation costs, prompting guidance toward the low end of its 2026 revenue and 19%–21% EBITDA margin range.
On a GAAP basis Westlake reported a Q1 net loss of $100 million (EPS -$0.77) and recorded $85 million of identified items (including a $67 million pipe‑and‑fittings settlement); management noted remaining potential litigation exposures.
Liquidity and capital actions include $2.5 billion of cash/investments, $5.6 billion total debt with a planned $500M debt call, ~$900 million 2026 capex, and a non‑binding LOI to acquire a German PVC/VCM plant (subject to due diligence).

Westlake Trading Down 9.0%

Westlake stock traded down $10.34 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $104.53. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,017,981 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,302,054. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.39 billion, a PE ratio of -8.92 and a beta of 0.67. Westlake has a 1 year low of $56.33 and a 1 year high of $124.23. The company has a current ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $111.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $88.93.

Westlake Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 3rd were given a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 3rd. Westlake’s dividend payout ratio is presently -18.12%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Mark Steven Bender sold 17,409 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.92, for a total transaction of $1,756,916.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 44,433 shares in the company, valued at $4,484,178.36. This trade represents a 28.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WLK. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Westlake by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,108 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $304,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in Westlake by 0.6% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 28,134 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $2,136,000 after buying an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Westlake by 37.4% during the fourth quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 805 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Westlake by 49.6% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 745 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its holdings in shares of Westlake by 1.7% during the second quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 15,608 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $1,185,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. 28.40% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial upped their price target on Westlake from $117.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 26th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Westlake in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Bank of America restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $119.00 price target on shares of Westlake in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Zacks Research upgraded Westlake from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $115.00 price target on Westlake in a research report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $113.20.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Westlake

About Westlake

(Get Free Report)

Westlake Corp. is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, polymers and building products, serving customers across industrial and residential markets. The company’s core operations encompass the production of vinyls—primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its key feedstock vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)—as well as chlor-alkali products including caustic soda and chlorine. In addition, Westlake produces ethylene, propylene and specialty elastomers, along with construction-related materials such as vinyl siding, trim, windows and roofing systems.

Operating a network of vertically integrated plants and distribution centers, Westlake serves markets in North America, Europe and Asia.