LyondellBasell recalibrates quarterly dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, a reduction of $0.68 from the fourth quarter 2025 dividend. The dividend is payable March 9, 2026, with ex-dividend and record date of March 2, 2026.

The company returned approximately $2 billion to shareholders in 2025 and says it will prioritize safety, reliability, cost reductions and opportunities to enhance profitability in 2026 while maintaining a target to return 70% of free cash flow to shareholders through the cycle.

Positive

• Returned approximately $2 billion to shareholders in 2025
• Maintains target to return 70% of free cash flow to shareholders through the cycle
• Recalibrated dividend to preserve cash for cost reductions and profitability initiatives in 2026

Negative

• Quarterly dividend cut by $0.68 to $0.69 per share
• Dividend change takes effect with ex-dividend and record date March 2, 2026 and payment March 9, 2026

News Market Reaction – LYB

+0.34%

13 alerts

+0.34% News Effect

+9.1% Peak Tracked

-7.2% Trough Tracked

+$63M Valuation Impact

$18.63B Market Cap

0.7x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, LYB gained 0.34%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +9.1% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -7.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $63M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $18.63B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

HOUSTON and LONDON, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, representing a $0.68 per share reduction from the company’s fourth quarter 2025 dividend. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on March 9, 2026, with an ex-dividend and record date of March 2, 2026.

“Despite one of the longest downturns in our industry, LYB was able to return approximately $2 billion to our shareholders from existing cash and operations in 2025. With markets expected to remain challenged, we have made the decision to recalibrate the dividend to better position the company to thrive once markets recover,” said LYB CEO Peter Vanacker. “In 2026, we are prioritizing safety and reliability while driving additional cost reductions and finding new opportunities to enhance profitability. We remain committed to our target of returning 70% of free cash flow to shareholders through the cycle.”

ABOUT LYONDELLBASELL
We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) ― a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.LyondellBasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management of LyondellBasell which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, including the prolonged industry downturn, the business cyclicality of the chemical and polymers industries; industry production capacities, operating rates, and the pace of global capacity rationalizations; the supply/demand balances for our and our joint ventures’ products; the impacts of tariffs and trade disruptions; our ability to maintain our investment-grade credit balance sheet and execute our capital allocation strategy, including our ability to pay dividends; our ability to manage costs; future financial and operating results; our ability to successfully implement initiatives identified pursuant to our Value Enhancement Program and generate anticipated earnings; and our ability to reduce our fixed costs, working capital and capital expenditures and increase cash flow. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investors page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

Investor contact: David Kinney +1 713-309-7141
Media contact: Nick Facchin +1 713-309-4791

Nick Facchin
LyondellBasell
713-623-3643
nick.facchin@lyondellbasell.com

FAQ

What dividend did LyondellBasell (LYB) declare on February 20, 2026?

The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share. According to the company, this is a $0.68 per share reduction from the fourth quarter 2025 dividend, with payment scheduled for March 9, 2026.

When is the ex-dividend and payment date for LYB's recalibrated dividend in 2026?

The ex-dividend and record date is March 2, 2026, and the dividend will be paid on March 9, 2026. According to the company, shareholders of record on March 2 will receive the March 9 payment.

Why did LyondellBasell (LYB) reduce its quarterly dividend in February 2026?

The company said it recalibrated the dividend to better position operations amid challenged markets. According to the company, the move preserves cash while prioritizing safety, reliability and cost reductions in 2026.

How much did LyondellBasell return to shareholders in 2025 and what does it mean for LYB investors?

LyondellBasell returned approximately $2 billion to shareholders in 2025. According to the company, this underscores prior capital returns while the dividend recalibration aims to stabilize cash flow during industry weakness.

Does LyondellBasell (LYB) still plan shareholder returns after the dividend cut?

Yes. The company reaffirmed a target to return 70% of free cash flow to shareholders through the cycle. According to the company, this remains a priority alongside cost and profitability measures in 2026.

What immediate shareholder impact should LYB investors expect from the February 20, 2026 announcement?

Investors will see a lower quarterly cash payout: the dividend is reduced to $0.69 per share and payable March 9, 2026. According to the company, the change is intended to conserve capital while markets remain challenged.