NYSE$SCL
Stepan Company · Q3 2020 earnings
Q3 2020 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
Stepan delivered record third quarter results driven by strong surfactant performance and disciplined cost management.
Stepan Company reported a strong third quarter with net income increasing to $33.2 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, compared to $25.9 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income was $36.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, a 30% increase. The Surfactant segment saw significant operating income growth due to increased sales volume, while the Polymer segment experienced a slight decline. The company's strong balance sheet and cash position support future growth.
- Reported net income was $33.2 million, or $1.43 per diluted share versus $25.9 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, in the prior year.
- Adjusted net income was $36.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, up 30% versus $27.9 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in the prior year.
- Surfactant operating income was $41.2 million versus $19.7 million in the prior year, primarily attributable to an 8% increase in global sales volume.
- Polymer operating income was $22.4 million versus $23.3 million in the prior year, mostly attributable to a 5% decline in global Polymer sales volume versus prior year.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Stepan · Revenue · Quarterly
$464M
Revenue by segment
Stepan · $464M total across 3 segments · Q3 2020
- Surfactants$334M+11.4%71.9%
- Polymers$117M-13.6%25.1%
- Specialty Products$14M-16.8%3.0%
Forward guidance
The company anticipates strong Surfactant volumes in consumer product end markets due to heightened demand for disinfection and cleaning products. Demand for surfactants within the agricultural market is expected to approximate last year, while the oilfield market will remain down. The Polymer business is expected to be challenged short-term, but long-term prospects remain attractive. The Specialty Product business should approach prior year results.
Tailwinds
- Surfactant volumes in the consumer product end markets should remain strong.
- Demand for surfactants within the agricultural market will approximate last year.
- The long-term prospects for rigid polyols remain attractive.
- Energy conservation efforts and more stringent building codes should increase demand.
Headwinds
- The oilfield market will remain down for the balance of 2020.
- The business will continue to be challenged short-term as re-roofing and new construction projects have been deferred or canceled.
- Lower margins within our medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line
- Customer order patterns within our food and flavor business.
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 Q3 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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