JP Morgan Upgrades Celanese to Neutral, Lowers Price Target to $130
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 05 2024
0mins
Should l Buy CE?
Source: Benzinga
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Analyst Views on CE
Wall Street analysts forecast CE stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 63.410
Low
43.00
Averages
54.78
High
75.00
Current: 63.410
Low
43.00
Averages
54.78
High
75.00
About CE
Celanese Corporation is a chemical and specialty materials company which is engaged in producing engineered polymers that are used in applications, as well as acetyl products, which are intermediate chemicals for all industries. The Company operates through two segments, which include Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain. The Engineered Materials segment develops, produces and supplies a portfolio of specialty polymers for automotive and medical applications, as well as industrial products and consumer electronics. Its Engineered Materials are used in a range of end-use products including fuel system components, automotive safety systems, medical applications, consumer electronics, appliances, industrial products, and others. The Acetyl Chain segment includes the integrated chain of acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), acetic anhydride, acetate esters, emulsion polymers, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers, redispersible powders (RDP), and acetate tow businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average provides investors with valuable insights for technical analysis, aiding in market trend assessment and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade similarly to stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on investor demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
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Lloyd Harbor Capital Opens New Position in Celanese
- New Position: Lloyd Harbor Capital Management opened a new position in Celanese during Q4, acquiring 190,000 shares valued at $8.03 million, indicating the fund's positive outlook on the company.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This investment accounts for 3.87% of its 13F reportable assets as of December 31, 2025, reflecting a strategic adjustment in the fund's diversified portfolio.
- Financial Performance: Celanese has a market cap of $6.6 billion with a substantial net debt of $12.5 billion; despite facing cyclical challenges, the company’s EBITDA and free cash flow remain steady, showcasing financial resilience.
- Market Outlook: Analysts express optimism for Celanese, projecting $700 million in free cash flow for 2026, and with potential sales recovery, it positions itself as a cyclical stock worth considering.
See More
Lloyd Harbor Acquires Stake in Celanese
- New Investment Position: Lloyd Harbor Capital Management initiated a new position in Celanese by acquiring 190,000 shares during Q4, with an estimated transaction value of $8.03 million, indicating confidence in the company's future potential.
- Asset Management Proportion: This acquisition accounts for 3.87% of Lloyd Harbor's 13F reportable assets, although it ranks outside the fund's top five holdings, reflecting a commitment to diversified investment strategies.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of March 19, 2026, Celanese shares were priced at $59.01, up 0.84% over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 16 percentage points, indicating market caution regarding its recovery prospects.
- Financial Health Status: With a net debt of $12.5 billion, Celanese's decision to cut dividends to $0.03 reflects urgency in debt repayment, while stable EBITDA and free cash flow, projected at $700 million, suggest potential for recovery in the future.
See More
Celanese Announces Price Increase for Engineered Materials
- Price Increase Rationale: Celanese has announced a price increase for various engineered materials effective April 1, 2026, in response to market changes and global supply chain disruptions, demonstrating the company's sensitivity and adaptability to dynamic market conditions.
- Specific Increase Details: For instance, the price of POM materials will rise by $0.30/kg in Asia, with increases of $0.09/lb in the Americas and €0.50/kg in Europe, reflecting regional demand variations and pricing strategies.
- Customer Support Capability: Despite challenges, Celanese remains well-positioned to support customer needs through its regional supply chain and manufacturing sites, along with its technology and innovation centers, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Commitment to Sustainability: As a Fortune 500 company, Celanese is dedicated to responsibly managing materials and expanding its portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demands, showcasing its leadership position in the industry.
See More
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Rising Petrochemical Prices Have Widespread Impact
- Plastic Price Surge: Stanislav Krykun, CEO of DST-Pack, reports a 15% price increase from Chinese plastic suppliers due to rising raw material costs and market uncertainty, which is expected to lead to higher packaging costs that will ultimately affect consumer prices.
- Holiday Product Cost Reevaluation: Krykun notes that with increasing orders for the 2026 Christmas season, costs for packaging projects have been recalculated, particularly as the rising prices of molded plastic trays will directly impact clients' production budgets.
- Petrochemical Supply Shock: Atsi Sheth, chief credit officer at Moody's, highlights that the petrochemical industry is facing a supply shock, with oversupply and insufficient demand leading to downgrades for producers, which is expected to exacerbate consumer price inflation, particularly affecting lower-income groups.
- Long-Term Market Uncertainty: Peter Swartz, chief science officer at supply chain analytics firm Altana, states that the market is pricing in uncertainty, and long-term price increases are expected to become the norm, prompting businesses to invest in diversification to tackle future challenges.
See More
IJS ETF 52-Week Price Fluctuation Analysis
- Price Range Analysis: The IJS ETF has a 52-week low of $82.0972 and a high of $127.8474, with the latest trade at $117.70, indicating significant price fluctuations over the past year and reflecting market interest in its performance.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average provides investors with valuable insights for technical analysis, aiding in market trend assessment and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade similarly to stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on investor demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in ETF shares outstanding highlights those experiencing notable inflows or outflows, which can affect the underlying stocks held within the ETFs and influence overall market dynamics.
See More
Lloyd Harbor Capital Opens New Position in Celanese
- New Position: Lloyd Harbor Capital Management opened a new position in Celanese during Q4, acquiring 190,000 shares valued at $8.03 million, indicating the fund's positive outlook on the company.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This investment accounts for 3.87% of its 13F reportable assets as of December 31, 2025, reflecting a strategic adjustment in the fund's diversified portfolio.
- Financial Performance: Celanese has a market cap of $6.6 billion with a substantial net debt of $12.5 billion; despite facing cyclical challenges, the company’s EBITDA and free cash flow remain steady, showcasing financial resilience.
- Market Outlook: Analysts express optimism for Celanese, projecting $700 million in free cash flow for 2026, and with potential sales recovery, it positions itself as a cyclical stock worth considering.
See More
Lloyd Harbor Acquires Stake in Celanese
- New Investment Position: Lloyd Harbor Capital Management initiated a new position in Celanese by acquiring 190,000 shares during Q4, with an estimated transaction value of $8.03 million, indicating confidence in the company's future potential.
- Asset Management Proportion: This acquisition accounts for 3.87% of Lloyd Harbor's 13F reportable assets, although it ranks outside the fund's top five holdings, reflecting a commitment to diversified investment strategies.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of March 19, 2026, Celanese shares were priced at $59.01, up 0.84% over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 16 percentage points, indicating market caution regarding its recovery prospects.
- Financial Health Status: With a net debt of $12.5 billion, Celanese's decision to cut dividends to $0.03 reflects urgency in debt repayment, while stable EBITDA and free cash flow, projected at $700 million, suggest potential for recovery in the future.
See More
Celanese Announces Price Increase for Engineered Materials
- Price Increase Rationale: Celanese has announced a price increase for various engineered materials effective April 1, 2026, in response to market changes and global supply chain disruptions, demonstrating the company's sensitivity and adaptability to dynamic market conditions.
- Specific Increase Details: For instance, the price of POM materials will rise by $0.30/kg in Asia, with increases of $0.09/lb in the Americas and €0.50/kg in Europe, reflecting regional demand variations and pricing strategies.
- Customer Support Capability: Despite challenges, Celanese remains well-positioned to support customer needs through its regional supply chain and manufacturing sites, along with its technology and innovation centers, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Commitment to Sustainability: As a Fortune 500 company, Celanese is dedicated to responsibly managing materials and expanding its portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demands, showcasing its leadership position in the industry.
See More
CELANESE CORP TO IMPLEMENT PRICE HIKES STARTING APRIL 1, 2026
Celenese Corporation Announcement: Celenese Corporation has announced a price increase for its products.
Effective Date: The price increase will take effect on April 1, 2026.
See More
