Top Performing Materials Stocks in February 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy WLK?
Source: seekingalpha
- Westlake Corporation Leads: Westlake Corporation (WLK) topped the materials sector in February 2026 with a remarkable 29.02% gain, indicating strong growth potential that may attract increased investor interest.
- Strong Buy Rating Stock: AngloGold Ashanti (AU) stands out with a Strong Buy Quant Rating of 4.95, achieving a solid 16.75% gain, reflecting market confidence in its future performance and potentially driving further stock price increases.
- Double-Digit Returns: Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) and LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) posted gains of 12.99% and 14.06%, respectively, demonstrating strong profitability in the current market environment, which may draw attention from institutional investors.
- Overall Market Performance: Several companies in the materials sector, including International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) and DuPont (DD), achieved gains exceeding 12%, reflecting robust performance in the industry amid economic recovery, potentially providing investors with diverse investment opportunities.
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Analyst Views on WLK
Wall Street analysts forecast WLK stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 112.610
Low
70.00
Averages
82.64
High
92.00
Current: 112.610
Low
70.00
Averages
82.64
High
92.00
About WLK
Westlake Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and products that enhance life every day. With operations in Asia, Europe, and North America, it provides building blocks for solutions from housing and construction to packaging and healthcare to automotive and the consumer. Its segments include Performance and Essential Materials and Housing and Infrastructure Products. The Performance and Essential Materials include Westlake North American Vinyls, Westlake North American Chlor-alkali & Derivatives, Westlake European & Asian Chlorovinyls, Westlake Olefins, Westlake Polyethylene and Westlake Epoxy. The Housing and Infrastructure Products include Westlake Royal Building Products, Westlake Pipe and Fittings, Westlake Global Compounds and Westlake Dimex. Its products are used in diverse consumer and industrial markets, including residential construction, automotive products, water treatment, wind turbines, coatings as well as other durable and non-durable goods.
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.
Westlake Chemical Partners Appoints New Executive
- Executive Appointment: Westlake Chemical Partners (WLKP) announced a new executive appointment late Monday, aimed at enhancing the management team's expertise and market competitiveness.
- Strategic Shift: This appointment reflects the company's focus on future growth, which is expected to drive business development and improve operational efficiency.
- Market Reaction: Although specific details of the appointment have not been disclosed, the market generally holds a neutral stance on the management change, with no significant impact on stock prices.
- Company Vision: Westlake Chemical Partners remains committed to optimizing its strategic direction through executive changes to address industry challenges and seize market opportunities.
See More
Westlake Corporation Appoints New CFO
- Executive Transition: Westlake Corporation has announced the appointment of Jonathan H. Baksht as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding the retiring Steven Bender, with the transition set for June 15, 2026, indicating ongoing optimization and strategic adjustments within the company's leadership.
- Extensive Financial Background: Prior to joining Westlake, Baksht served as CFO at Fortune Brands Innovations and has significant financial management experience at Pactiv Evergreen and Valaris, where he successfully navigated the company through bankruptcy and subsequent recovery, showcasing his crisis management capabilities.
- Board Experience: Baksht has been a board member at Duxion Motors since January 2022 and previously served on the board of ARO Drilling, highlighting his broad perspective in diversified businesses and cross-industry collaborations, which could benefit Westlake's strategic development.
- Industry Recognition: Westlake's President Gilson welcomed Baksht's appointment, expressing confidence that his deep experience in the oil, packaging, and building products industries will significantly contribute to the company's ongoing growth, reflecting the company's optimism and expectations for future development.
See More
Westlake Chemical Partners Appoints New CFO
- Executive Transition: Westlake Chemical Partners has appointed Jonathan H. Baksht as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding the retiring M. Steven Bender, effective June 15, 2026, aiming to ensure continuity and stability in financial management.
- Board Restructuring: Bender will also step down from the board of the general partner on the same date, marking a significant adjustment in the company's governance structure that may influence investor confidence in the company's future strategic direction.
- Cash Flow Recovery Signal: Westlake Chemical anticipates a recovery in distributable cash flow in 2026 with no planned major turnarounds, a prospect that could attract more investor interest and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Historical Performance Review: The Q4 2025 earnings report from Westlake Chemical shows strong financial performance, and with the addition of the new CFO, the company is expected to further drive profitability and market performance in the future.
See More
M. Steven Bender Appointed Special Advisor to President of Westlake Corp, Starting June 15, 2026
- New Appointment: Steven Bender has been appointed as a special advisor to President Effective.
- Effective Date: This new role will commence on June 15, 2026.
See More
Westlake Agrees to $67M Settlement in PVC Price-Fixing Lawsuit
- Record Settlement Amount: Westlake has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging price-fixing of PVC pipes and fittings in the U.S. since 2020, marking the largest settlement in nationwide antitrust litigation concerning the PVC pipe market.
- Document Disclosure: In addition to the cash payment, Westlake will produce documents previously submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice related to a separate federal antitrust investigation into the PVC market, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency in legal proceedings.
- Cooperative Stance: While Westlake denies any wrongdoing, the company has expressed willingness to cooperate with plaintiffs as they pursue related claims against other manufacturers, including Atkore and Otter Tail, indicating a sense of responsibility within the industry.
- Potential Impact: The proposed settlement, which requires judicial approval, is expected to provide
See More
US Stocks Rise Slightly Amid Iran Ceasefire Hopes
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 rose by 0.27% and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.41%, reaching 1.5-week highs, reflecting market optimism over a potential ceasefire in Iran, although the feasibility of such an agreement remains uncertain.
- Economic Data Impact: The US March ISM services index fell to 54.0, below the expected 54.9, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could pressure the stock market, especially as investor confidence in recovery wanes.
- Strong Labor Market: Nonfarm payrolls increased by 178,000 in March, significantly surpassing the expected 65,000, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.3%, demonstrating labor market resilience that may support the stock market.
- Oil Market Volatility: Crude oil prices are fluctuating amid Iran's rejection of a ceasefire and ongoing military actions, with the International Energy Agency warning that even if the war ends, normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz will take time to resume, potentially impacting global energy supply.
See More
Westlake Chemical Partners Appoints New Executive
- Executive Appointment: Westlake Chemical Partners (WLKP) announced a new executive appointment late Monday, aimed at enhancing the management team's expertise and market competitiveness.
- Strategic Shift: This appointment reflects the company's focus on future growth, which is expected to drive business development and improve operational efficiency.
- Market Reaction: Although specific details of the appointment have not been disclosed, the market generally holds a neutral stance on the management change, with no significant impact on stock prices.
- Company Vision: Westlake Chemical Partners remains committed to optimizing its strategic direction through executive changes to address industry challenges and seize market opportunities.
See More
Westlake Corporation Appoints New CFO
- Executive Transition: Westlake Corporation has announced the appointment of Jonathan H. Baksht as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding the retiring Steven Bender, with the transition set for June 15, 2026, indicating ongoing optimization and strategic adjustments within the company's leadership.
- Extensive Financial Background: Prior to joining Westlake, Baksht served as CFO at Fortune Brands Innovations and has significant financial management experience at Pactiv Evergreen and Valaris, where he successfully navigated the company through bankruptcy and subsequent recovery, showcasing his crisis management capabilities.
- Board Experience: Baksht has been a board member at Duxion Motors since January 2022 and previously served on the board of ARO Drilling, highlighting his broad perspective in diversified businesses and cross-industry collaborations, which could benefit Westlake's strategic development.
- Industry Recognition: Westlake's President Gilson welcomed Baksht's appointment, expressing confidence that his deep experience in the oil, packaging, and building products industries will significantly contribute to the company's ongoing growth, reflecting the company's optimism and expectations for future development.
See More
Westlake Chemical Partners Appoints New CFO
- Executive Transition: Westlake Chemical Partners has appointed Jonathan H. Baksht as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding the retiring M. Steven Bender, effective June 15, 2026, aiming to ensure continuity and stability in financial management.
- Board Restructuring: Bender will also step down from the board of the general partner on the same date, marking a significant adjustment in the company's governance structure that may influence investor confidence in the company's future strategic direction.
- Cash Flow Recovery Signal: Westlake Chemical anticipates a recovery in distributable cash flow in 2026 with no planned major turnarounds, a prospect that could attract more investor interest and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Historical Performance Review: The Q4 2025 earnings report from Westlake Chemical shows strong financial performance, and with the addition of the new CFO, the company is expected to further drive profitability and market performance in the future.
See More
M. Steven Bender Appointed Special Advisor to President of Westlake Corp, Starting June 15, 2026
- New Appointment: Steven Bender has been appointed as a special advisor to President Effective.
- Effective Date: This new role will commence on June 15, 2026.
See More
Westlake Agrees to $67M Settlement in PVC Price-Fixing Lawsuit
- Record Settlement Amount: Westlake has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging price-fixing of PVC pipes and fittings in the U.S. since 2020, marking the largest settlement in nationwide antitrust litigation concerning the PVC pipe market.
- Document Disclosure: In addition to the cash payment, Westlake will produce documents previously submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice related to a separate federal antitrust investigation into the PVC market, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency in legal proceedings.
- Cooperative Stance: While Westlake denies any wrongdoing, the company has expressed willingness to cooperate with plaintiffs as they pursue related claims against other manufacturers, including Atkore and Otter Tail, indicating a sense of responsibility within the industry.
- Potential Impact: The proposed settlement, which requires judicial approval, is expected to provide
See More
US Stocks Rise Slightly Amid Iran Ceasefire Hopes
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 rose by 0.27% and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.41%, reaching 1.5-week highs, reflecting market optimism over a potential ceasefire in Iran, although the feasibility of such an agreement remains uncertain.
- Economic Data Impact: The US March ISM services index fell to 54.0, below the expected 54.9, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could pressure the stock market, especially as investor confidence in recovery wanes.
- Strong Labor Market: Nonfarm payrolls increased by 178,000 in March, significantly surpassing the expected 65,000, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.3%, demonstrating labor market resilience that may support the stock market.
- Oil Market Volatility: Crude oil prices are fluctuating amid Iran's rejection of a ceasefire and ongoing military actions, with the International Energy Agency warning that even if the war ends, normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz will take time to resume, potentially impacting global energy supply.
See More
