Chemicals industry near trough of business cycle
Article Abstract:
The chemical industry reported lesser revenues for the 1st qtr 1999 despite posting record profits in 1998. The industry posted 1998 revenues of $431 billion, up 1% from 1997 revenues. The revenues of the top 22 companies for the 1st qtr 1999 were comparable to its revenues for the same quarter in 1998 but net income was lower by 22%. Petrochemical and plastic firms are expected to post reduced earnings for 1999 due to lower prices and profits earned during 1998. Prices for chemicals and plastics are, however, expected to rise for the rest of 1999. A profile of the US chemical industry is also presented.
Publication Name: Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys: Trends & Projections
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0196-4666
Year: 1999
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Chemicals: a basic industry
Article Abstract:
The main trends shaping the US commodity chemical industry are globalization, consolidation, regulation and cost reduction. Competition within the industry varies by product line such as basic chemicals, organic chemicals, plastics and fertilizers. The main factors to consider in analyzing a commodity chemical company include economic and end-market conditions, the nature of the firm's product lines and those that may be unique to the company such as geographic reach and acquisition strategy.
Publication Name: Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys: Trends & Projections
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0196-4666
Year: 1999
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Earnings hold up in 1998, but difficulties lie ahead
Article Abstract:
The sales and net earnings of the US chemical industry for 1998 are expected to be almost the same as in 1997. The Standards and Poor's survey revealed that the financial results of the commodity chemical industry for the 3rd qtr 1998 continued to be disappointing, with 3rd qtr income and sales of the 21 major companies surveyed falling 43% and 4.1%, respectively, as compared with the 1997 period. The commodity chemical industry is also expected to be less favorable in 1999 than in 1998.
Publication Name: Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys: Trends & Projections
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0196-4666
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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