NYSE$SCL
Stepan Company · Q1 2020 earnings
Q1 2020 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
Stepan's first quarter earnings were reported, revealing a mix of challenges and opportunities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stepan Company reported a net income of $27.5 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $25.0 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the prior year. However, adjusted net income was $24.2 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, versus $30.6 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the prior year, impacted by a power outage at the Millsdale Plant. Surfactant operating income was $36.2 million, while Polymer operating income was $7.5 million, and Specialty Product operating income was $4.0 million.
- Net income increased to $27.5 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, up from $25.0 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the prior year.
- Adjusted net income was $24.2 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, down from $30.6 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, due to the Millsdale Plant power outage.
- Surfactant operating income was $36.2 million, influenced by strong consumer product demand but offset by supply chain issues and lower demand in agriculture and oil field markets.
- Polymer operating income decreased to $7.5 million, primarily due to the Millsdale facility incident, with a decline in phthalic anhydride volume.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Stepan · Revenue · Quarterly
$450M
Revenue by segment
Stepan · $450M total across 3 segments · Q1 2020
- Surfactants$327M—72.7%
- Polymers$106M—23.7%
- Specialty Products$16.4M—3.7%
Forward guidance
Stepan expects 2020 to be a difficult year but believes their business is well-positioned. They anticipate strong surfactant volume in consumer products, potential margin improvement from lower raw material prices, and stable results in the agriculture business. The Polymer business may face reduced demand, while the Specialty Product business should benefit from higher MCT demand.
Tailwinds
- Strong surfactant volume in consumer product end markets due to demand for cleaning and disinfection products.
- Potential for margin improvement due to falling raw material prices.
- Agriculture business expected to approximate last year's performance.
- Specialty Product business to benefit from higher MCT demand in the infant nutrition market.
- Strong balance sheet with significant cash on hand and an untapped $350.0 million revolver.
Headwinds
- Potential reduction in demand for the Polymer business due to deferred or canceled re-roofing and new construction projects.
- Anticipation of higher North American costs due to the Illinois River lock closure.
- Lower demand for surfactants within the oil field end-markets due to dramatically lower oil prices.
- Impact of the Millsdale power outage on Polymer business.
- Uncertainty due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2020
-0.5%
Avg return
Earnings day
-1.1%
Avg return
5 days after
-0.7%
Avg return
30 days after
43%
28 / 65 earnings
Positive
+12.4%
Q1 2015
Best reaction
-20.4%
Q4 2025
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | +1.1% | -0.7% | -2.7% | |
| Q4 2025 | -20.4% | -24.3% | -25.2% | |
| Q3 2025 | -0.4% | -4.1% | +2.2% | |
| Q1 2025 | +7.1% | +13.8% | +15.2% | |
| Q4 2024 | +0.1% | -0.0% | -7.3% | |
| Q3 2024 | -0.8% | -0.2% | +5.4% | |
| Q2 2024 | -11.0% | -18.9% | -13.8% | |
| Q1 2024 | -0.6% | +1.4% | +0.2% | |
| Q4 2023 | -2.5% | -2.3% | -3.2% | |
| Q3 2023 | +7.9% | +9.1% | +18.7% | |
| Q2 2023 | -3.8% | -0.6% | -10.1% | |
| Q1 2023 | -10.2% | -7.2% | -5.8% | |
| Q4 2022 | -2.4% | -4.5% | -13.3% | |
| Q3 2022 | -2.9% | -0.3% | +10.5% | |
| Q2 2022 | +8.6% | +5.4% | +2.0% | |
| Q1 2022 | +4.9% | +3.9% | +11.7% | |
| Q4 2021 | -3.5% | -5.6% | -9.7% | |
| Q3 2021 | +2.4% | +1.2% | +1.9% | |
| Q2 2021 | -0.1% | +0.2% | -1.0% | |
| Q1 2021 | -0.7% | -0.8% | +2.1% | |
| Q4 2020 | -2.9% | -2.1% | +4.7% | |
| Q3 2020 | -0.5% | +2.0% | +7.0% | |
| Q2 2020 | +7.5% | +7.6% | +12.8% | |
| Q1 2020 | -1.9% | -0.3% | +4.8% | |
| Q4 2019 | -1.6% | -8.3% | -26.6% | |
| Q3 2019 | +0.1% | +3.6% | +1.4% | |
| Q2 2019 | +3.7% | +3.2% | -2.0% | |
| Q1 2019 | -0.2% | -0.2% | -6.2% | |
| Q4 2018 | +1.5% | +0.9% | -7.7% | |
| Q3 2018 | +3.0% | +1.0% | -2.1% | |
| Q2 2018 | +5.3% | +6.4% | +8.8% | |
| Q1 2018 | -17.2% | -18.5% | -20.0% | |
| Q4 2017 | +5.8% | +10.3% | +11.3% | |
| Q3 2017 | -7.0% | -7.3% | -4.3% | |
| Q2 2017 | -7.2% | -10.2% | -15.9% | |
| Q1 2017 | +9.7% | +4.8% | +7.4% | |
| Q4 2016 | -10.3% | -5.9% | -0.7% | |
| Q3 2016 | +6.6% | +2.9% | +11.9% | |
| Q2 2016 | +4.2% | +2.4% | +11.6% | |
| Q1 2016 | +6.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +12.0% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | +8.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -10.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | +12.4% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -0.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | -5.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | -1.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | -1.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | -5.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | +0.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | +0.7% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | -11.4% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | -0.5% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | -0.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | -3.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | -8.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | +3.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | +3.9% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +4.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | +4.7% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | -4.5% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | -4.5% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -2.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | -2.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | +1.7% | — | — |
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