SCL News & Events

Stepan CEO Luis Rojo provided an operational outlook. "We are executing on Project Catalyst, which is our comprehensive plan designed to further optimize our asset base and create a more productive and agile organization to enable growth. During Q1 we executed our plans to close our Fieldsboro, NJ site and decommission select assets at our Millsdale, IL and Stalybridge, UK facilities," said CEO Luis Rojo. "We believe we are positioned to continue delivering growth in all our key strategic businesses such as Crop Productivity, Oilfield, Tier 2/3 Surfactants and North American Polymers. With our actions on growth, productivity and cash, we believe we will deliver full year Adjusted EBITDA growth, positive free cash flow and continue to de-leverage the balance sheet in 2026, despite the ongoing and significant market uncertainties and challenges."

Reports Q1 revenue $604.51M vs. $593.26M last year. "We are executing Project Catalyst safely and in line with expectations despite early quarter weather-related impacts and the new geopolitical challenges. Global adjusted EBITDA was down $7.9M, or 14%, driven by our Surfactants business. Specialty Products volume was up 30% versus prior year while EBITDA was down due to product mix and higher raw material costs," said CEO Luis Rojo. "On a total Company basis, organic net sales, which exclude the impact of the asset divestiture in the Philippines, were up 4% and organic sales volume was flat year-over-year. Strong growth in Crop Productivity, Oilfield and Industrial Cleaning was offset by European Polymers volume. We are pleased with the growth we achieved in several of our key strategic end markets despite ongoing global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions. We are continuing our efforts to further optimize our asset base and create a more productive and agile organization to enable balanced growth."

Futures are in negative territory, reflecting investor caution amid trade policy confusion and global growth fears. Markets are set to open the week with heightened volatility and mixed signals as investors digest a pivotal judicial and policy shift. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down broad tariff authority previously used by the administration, the ruling also introduced uncertainty around trade policy when the administration promptly announced a new 15 % global tariff plan under a different statute. This back-and-forth has left markets unsettled, evident in lower stock index futures and risk aversion early Monday.The tariff developments have spilled over into currency and commodity markets, with the U.S. dollar softening and safe haven assets such as gold and silver seeing support as traders brace for policy-driven volatility and reposition for uncertainty.Looking at corporate drivers, the market's attention is sharpening on earnings catalysts later this week, particularly in the technology sector. Nvidia's imminent quarterly report has outsized importance as a barometer of demand for AI-related semiconductors and broader tech spending trends.In pre-market trading, S&P 500 futures fell 0.34%, Nasdaq futures fell 0.51% and Dow futures fell 0.40%.Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER -Arcellxup 78% after Gileadentered into a definitive agreement to acquire the company for $115 per share in cash at closing and one contingent value right of $5 per shareVeris Residentialup 12% after a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an investor consortium led by Affinius Capital in partnership with Vista Hill Partners in an all-cash transaction for $19 per shareFortune Brandsup 5% after The Wall Street Journalinvestor Ed Garden has built a stake in the company and is seeking to replace incoming CEO Amit BanatiUP AFTER EARNINGS -Domino's Pizzaup 5%GeneDxup 2%Dream Finders Homesup 1%DOWN AFTER EARNINGS -Stepandown 3%Freshpetdown 1%LOWER -Novo Nordiskdown 14% after reporting its REDEFINE 4 trial did not achieve its primary endpointVF Corp.down 5% after JPMorgan downgraded the stock to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $18, down from $19

Stepan announced Project Catalyst, a comprehensive operational and efficiency plan with the objective to deliver approximately $100M in pre-tax savings over the next two years. Project Catalyst is a key part of Stepan's commitment to optimizing its global manufacturing footprint, driving shareholder returns and building a foundation for sustainable growth. Key elements of the plan include: Optimizing Stepan's global manufacturing footprint through consolidation of volume into more efficient and modern assets within the network to reduce cost and improve productivity. Operational efficiency and cost optimization in manufacturing, procurement of materials and services, and through improved processes, planning and execution. Organizational effectiveness with clear accountabilities across businesses and functions, and focused resources to aggressively capture market opportunities advancing the Company's growth strategy.As part of Project Catalyst, Stepan will close its Fieldsboro, NJ site in response to continued lower demand in commodity surfactants used in the production of laundry detergents. Additionally, select assets at its Elwood (Millsdale), IL and Stalybridge, UK facilities will be decommissioned to optimize network utilization. These actions are expected to be completed by mid-2026. Operations will be consolidated into the Company's existing network, creating a more cost-efficient, streamlined operational structure while maintaining ongoing supply for its customers. The company continues to evaluate additional footprint optimization initiatives to further strengthen its competitive position. The company anticipates recognizing restructuring charges in the range of $70 to $80 million in 2026, of which approximately $52 to $62 million is expected to be recognized in Q1 2026. Over the course of the project, cash and non-cash impacts are projected to be in the range of $29 to $44 million and $58 to $62 million, respectively. The restructuring costs will include asset write-downs, decommissioning costs and other related expenses.