We recently compiled a list of the 10 High Growth Chemical Stocks to Buy. In this article, we are going to take a look at where LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) stands against the other high growth chemical stocks.
One of the key pillars of global manufacturing is the chemical industry. It supports a wide range of industries, including paints, coatings, plastics, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, and agricultural chemicals. According to The Business Research Company, the chemical industry was valued at $5.6 trillion in 2024, projected to reach $6.16 trillion by 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The primary drivers of its expansion are technological developments and the growing need for sustainable solutions, particularly in the fields of clean energy and digital transformation.
In 2024, the chemical industry showed signs of recovery as production growth surpassed 2023 levels, with demand steadily rebounding. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Chemical Industry Outlook report, this growing production trend is expected to continue into 2025. Despite the recovering production, the effects of 2023’s downturn are still being felt throughout the industry. Therefore, to counter lower revenues and margins, companies implemented cost-cutting programs in early 2024, which led to significant profit improvements.
Moreover, the chemical industry is seeing a rise in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity. A recent Insider Monkey article, citing a PwC report, stated that the value and volume of chemical M&A deals picked up in the second half of 2024. These deals were influenced by central bank rate cuts and a decrease in inflation. The momentum is expected to continue in 2025 as political and economic instability subsides.
Moving forward, cost-efficiency measures will remain a top priority, with strategies such as plant closures, workforce reductions, and asset rationalization expected to extend through 2025 and 2026. Even though major challenges persist, the industry’s efficiency strategies and resilience have set it up for a more stable future. Facing uneven market conditions, chemical companies are strategically shifting their focus toward high-growth sectors to sustain revenue and long-term growth. Accordingly, industries such as semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced materials are emerging as key priorities, offering strong demand and innovation opportunities.
As evident from the discussion above, the global chemical market is on a steady growth trajectory. This is evident through the projections that see it growing to $8.58 trillion by 2034. Furthermore, it is evident from our discussion that the companies that have been adopting cost-efficiency measures, sustainability initiatives, and strategic investments in high-demand sectors are the ones best positioned for long-term success.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 10 High Growth Chemical Stocks to Buy, we used the Finviz stock screener to identify publicly traded chemical companies with a market capitalization of $10 billion or higher, ensuring that only well-established industry leaders were considered.
Next, we extracted each company’s revenue for the recently completed five years. We then calculated their Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over this period, a key indicator of consistent financial performance and growth potential. Finally, we ranked the companies based on their 5-year CAGR and selected the top 10 companies with the highest growth rates.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A factory worker monitoring a conveyor belt of specialty chemicals being produced.
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB)
Revenue CAGR: 7.30%
Market Capitalization: $24.85 billion
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) is a leading global chemical manufacturer. It is one of the largest licensors of polypropylene and polyethylene manufacturing technologies. It has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, generating over half of its output in North America. The company plays a major role in the global petrochemical supply chain.
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) generated $3.8 billion in cash from operations in 2024, achieving a 90% cash conversion ratio. The company paid $1.9 billion back to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The Value Enhancement Program, which is a cost-efficient strategy program, also exceeded expectations, adding $600 million to EBITDA. Additionally, its successful Circular and Low Carbon Solutions segment grew its volume by 65% and it is projected to contribute a $1 billion EBITDA boost by 2030 through an annual production of 2 million tons.
Despite these advancements, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) faced significant setbacks in 2024 with Q4 industry margins at just 60% of the historical average. The company’s Olefins and Polyolefins segment in Europe, Asia, and the international markets reported a $146 million EBITDA loss due to the seasonal shift in demand for olefins and polyolefins. Moreover, due to lower automotive demand, the Advanced Polymer Solutions segment only generated $15 million in Q4 EBITDA, while the Refining sector posted a loss of $24 million due to lower gasoline crack spreads.
Looking ahead, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) anticipates near-term pressures from rising ethane and natural gas costs in Q1 2025. It remains optimistic about demand for polyethylene and polypropylene in North America, which grew by 4% year-over-year. The company is also investing in sustainability, including a new 50,000-ton chemical recycling facility in Cologne by 2026 and a larger project in Houston.
Thus, given its strong future prospects, analysts are projecting a 12-month price target of $94.97 per share, which represents a potential 26% upside, making LyondellBasell one of the top high growth chemical stocks to invest in.
Overall LYB ranks 4th on our list of the high growth chemical stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of LYB as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LYB but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.