LyondellBasell Industries NV shares plummeted 5.19% during intraday trading on Friday, following the company's disappointing fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report that revealed a surprise loss and declining revenue.
The petrochemicals maker reported an adjusted loss of 26 cents per share for the quarter ended December 31, which sharply contrasted with analysts' expectations of a profit of 13 cents per share according to LSEG data. Sales and other operating revenues fell to $7.09 billion from $7.81 billion a year earlier, reflecting challenging market conditions.
Higher feedstock and energy costs coupled with lower prices for the company's products significantly impacted margins. The Olefins & Polyolefins-Americas unit saw adjusted core profit drop by 67% to $164 million from $496 million a year ago. Despite announcing a $1.3 billion cost savings target by the end of 2026 and expectations to generate an additional $500 million in cash flow this year, investors reacted negatively to the unexpected quarterly loss.
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