LyondellBasell reports third quarter 2025 earnings
Rhea-AI Summary
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) reported 3Q25 net loss of $890 million ($2.77 per diluted share) and EBITDA of $(480) million, while excluding identified items net income was $330 million and EBITDA excluding identified items was $835 million. The company recorded $1.202 billion of non-cash asset write-downs and generated $983 million of cash from operations with 135% cash conversion. LYB returned $443 million to shareholders and ended the quarter with $1.8 billion cash and $6.5 billion available liquidity. The Cash Improvement Plan targets $600 million in 2025 and at least $1.1 billion by end-2026.
Positive
- EBITDA excluding identified items of $835 million
- Cash from operations of $983 million with 135% cash conversion
- Returned $443 million to shareholders in 3Q25
- Maintained $6.5 billion available liquidity at quarter end
- Cash Improvement Plan on track for $600 million in 2025
Negative
- Reported net loss of $890 million in 3Q25
- Recorded $1.202 billion of non-cash asset write-downs
- Reported EBITDA of $(480) million for 3Q25
- Fourth-quarter expected lower operating rates: NA O&P 80%, Europe O&P 60%
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, LYB gained 2.70%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +6.7% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 3 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $382M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $14.54B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
- Net (loss) income:
$(890) million ,$330 million excluding identified items1 - Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
$(2.77) per share;$1.01 per share excluding identified items - EBITDA:
$(480) million ,$835 million excluding identified items - Non-cash asset write-downs:
$1,202 million - Cash from operating activities:
$983 million - Strong cash conversion2 of
135% during 3Q25 - Returned
$443 million to shareholders during 3Q25 through dividends - Continued to navigate the cycle with operational and financial discipline:
- Cash Improvement Plan remains on track to deliver target of
$600 million 3 for 2025 - Operational improvements from higher rates for Hyperzone PE and Channelview PO/TBA exceeding benchmark for nameplate operating rate
- Advanced Polymers Solutions portfolio transformation and increased customer satisfaction driving business improvement
- European asset sale moving forward with regulatory approvals and execution of purchase agreement
- Cash Improvement Plan remains on track to deliver target of
HOUSTON and LONDON, Oct. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) (the "company") today announced results for the third quarter 2025. Comparisons with the prior quarter and third quarter 2024 are available in the following table:
Table 1 - Earnings Summary
| Millions of U.S. dollars (except share data) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| September 30 2025 | June 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | September 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | ||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenues | ||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (890) | 115 | 573 | (598) | 1,970 | |||||||||
| Diluted (loss) earnings per share | (2.77) | 0.34 | 1.75 | (1.89) | 6.00 | |||||||||
| Weighted average diluted share count | 322 | 322 | 326 | 322 | 326 | |||||||||
| EBITDA1 | (480) | 606 | 1,170 | 781 | 3,859 | |||||||||
Excluding Identified Items1
| Net income excluding identified items | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share excluding identified items | 1.01 | 0.62 | 1.91 | 1.96 | 5.43 | |||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of business, pre-tax | 6 | — | — | 6 | (293) | |||||||||
| Asset write-downs, pre-tax | 1,202 | 32 | — | 1,234 | — | |||||||||
| Cash Improvement Plan costs, pre-tax | 7 | 20 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||
| Dutch PO joint venture exit costs, pre-tax | — | — | — | 117 | — | |||||||||
| European transaction costs, pre-tax | 17 | 10 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||
| Loss (income) from discontinued operations, pre-tax | 83 | 47 | 70 | (66) | 44 | |||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | 835 | 715 | 1,205 | 2,126 | 3,498 | |||||||||
(1) See “Information Related to Financial Measures” for a discussion of the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures and Tables 2-6 for reconciliations or calculations of these financial measures. “Identified items” include adjustments for lower of cost or market ("LCM"), gain or loss on sale of business, asset write-downs in excess of
(2) Cash conversion is net cash provided by operating activities divided by EBITDA excluding adjustments for LCM, gain or loss on sale of business and asset write-downs in excess of
(3) Relative to LYB internal plan for 2025 to current year-end, net of <
“LYB continues to navigate a challenging market environment while remaining focused on delivering long-term value,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell chief executive officer. “Our Cash Improvement Plan is on track to achieve our
THIRD QUARTER 2025 RESULTS
The company reported a net loss for the third quarter 2025 of
In the Olefins and Polyolefins Americas segment, improved profitability was supported by increased olefins margins and higher sales volumes following the successful completion of turnarounds at the company's facility in Channelview, Texas. Polyethylene spreads decreased as monomer costs rose. LYB sales volumes improved on higher domestic demand for polyethylene supported by the company's strong North American market position, along with higher export flows to key global markets. Polypropylene demand remained weak. In Europe, improved operations yielded higher monomer volumes while polymer prices were pressured by increased competition from imports.
In the Intermediates and Derivatives segment, oxyfuels results benefited from increased octane blend premiums, lower butane raw material prices and modestly higher sales volumes, partially offset by declining styrene margins as global supply normalized. In September, LYB started a two-month turnaround at its La Porte, Texas acetyls unit that will position the asset for improved productivity and reliability.
LyondellBasell generated
STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS
LYB continues to balance capital allocation between investment in the business and shareholder returns while prioritizing safe and reliable operations. LYB is executing on its priorities and the Cash Improvement Plan remains on track to deliver on a
OUTLOOK
In the fourth quarter, year-end seasonality and lower operating rates are expected to impact results across most businesses. In North America, higher natural gas and feedstock costs are likely to pressure integrated polyolefins margins. In Europe, weak industrial and consumer demand is expected to persist. Global capacity rationalizations and anti-involution measures in China are supporting a more constructive mid-term outlook for the industry. Industry downtime supported oxyfuels margins during October, but seasonally higher costs for feedstocks and lower octane values are expected to pressure oxyfuels profitability for the remainder of the quarter. In Advanced Polymer Solutions, pricing pressures persist, but cost reduction initiatives are expected to offset some of the impact.
In November, LYB will idle its larger cracker in Wesseling, Germany and one of the propylene oxide/styrene monomer units in Channelview, Texas. Each asset will be down for about 40 days. The downtime will allow for maintenance activities while aligning production with global demand and reducing working capital. The company expects fourth-quarter operating rates of
CONFERENCE CALL
LYB will host a conference call October 31 at 11 a.m. ET. Participants on the call will include Chief Executive Officer Peter Vanacker, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Agustin Izquierdo, Executive Vice President of Global Olefins and Polyolefins Kim Foley, Executive Vice President of Intermediates and Derivatives Aaron Ledet, Executive Vice President of Advanced Polymer Solutions Torkel Rhenman and Head of Investor Relations David Kinney. For event access, the toll-free dial-in number is 1-877-407-8029, international dial-in number is 201-689-8029 or click the CallMe link. The slides and webcast that accompany the call will be available at investors.lyondellbasell.com/earnings. A replay of the call will be available from 1 p.m. ET October 31 until December 1, 2025. The replay toll-free dial-in numbers are 1-877-407-8029 and 201-689-8029. The access ID for each is 13746207.
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. When used in this release, the words “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. 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; the availability, cost and price volatility of raw materials and utilities, particularly the cost of oil, natural gas, and associated natural gas liquids; our ability to successfully implement initiatives identified pursuant to our Value Enhancement Program and generate anticipated earnings; competitive product and pricing pressures; labor conditions; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, supplier disruptions, labor shortages, strikes, work stoppages or other labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks); the supply/demand balances for our and our joint ventures’ products; industry production capacities, operating rates, and the pace of global capacity rationalizations; our ability to manage costs; future financial and operating results; our ability to complete capital projects on time and on budget and successfully operate the asset; our ability to align our assets and grow and upgrade our core, including completing the proposed sale of certain European assets; our ability to reduce our fixed costs and increase cash flow; legal and environmental proceedings; tax rulings and related consequences or proceedings; the impacts of tariffs and trade disruptions; technological developments, and our ability to develop new products and process technologies; our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including the ability to operate safely, increase production of recycled and renewable-based polymers to meet our targets and forecasts, and reduce our emissions and achieve net zero emissions by the time set in our goals; our ability to procure energy from renewable sources; our ability to build a profitable Circular & Low Carbon Solutions business; our ability to improve the business performance of our Advanced Polymers Solutions segment and its ability to secure new customers; potential governmental regulatory actions; political unrest and terrorist acts; risks and uncertainties posed by international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to maintain our investment-grade credit rating and execute our capital allocation strategy, including our ability to pay dividends; and our ability to comply with debt covenants and to repay our debt. 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.
This release contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the date hereof. Information contained in this release is unaudited and is subject to change.
INFORMATION RELATED TO FINANCIAL MEASURES
This release makes reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, and EBITDA, net income and diluted EPS exclusive of identified items provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
We calculate EBITDA as net income (loss) plus interest expense (net), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to profit or operating profit for any period as an indicator of our performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of our liquidity. We also present EBITDA, net income and diluted EPS exclusive of identified items. Identified items include adjustments for “lower of cost or market" (“LCM”), gain or loss on sale of business, asset write-downs in excess of
Cash conversion is a measure commonly used by investors to evaluate liquidity. Cash conversion means net cash provided by operating activities divided by EBITDA excluding LCM, gain or loss on sale of business and asset write-downs in excess of
These non-GAAP financial measures as presented herein, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the way the measures are calculated. In addition, we include calculations for certain other financial measures to facilitate understanding. This release contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the time hereof. Information contained in this release is unaudited and subject to change.
LyondellBasell undertakes no obligation to update the information presented herein except to the extent required by law.
Additional operating and financial information may be found on our website at investors.lyondellbasell.com.
Source: LyondellBasell Industries
Investor Contact: David Kinney +1 713-309-7141
Media Contact: Nick Facchin +1 713-309-4791
| Table 2 - Reconciliations of Net (Loss) Income to Net Income Excluding Identified Items and to EBITDA Including and Excluding Identified Items | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | September 30 2025 | June 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | September 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (890 | ) | $ | 115 | $ | 573 | $ | (598 | ) | $ | 1,970 | ||||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||||
| less: Loss (gain) on sale of business, pre-tax(a) | 6 | — | — | 6 | (293 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| add: Asset write-downs, pre-tax(b) | 1,202 | 32 | — | 1,234 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: Cash Improvement Plan costs, pre-tax(c) | 7 | 20 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: Dutch PO joint venture exit costs, pre-tax(d) | — | — | — | 117 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: European transaction costs, pre-tax(e) | 17 | 10 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||||||||
| less: Loss (income) from discontinued operations, pre-tax(f) | 83 | 47 | 70 | (66 | ) | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| add: (Benefit from) provision for income taxes related to identified items | (95 | ) | (22 | ) | (17 | ) | (105 | ) | 62 | |||||||||||
| Net income excluding identified items | $ | 330 | $ | 202 | $ | 626 | $ | 642 | $ | 1,783 | ||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (890 | ) | $ | 115 | $ | 573 | $ | (598 | ) | $ | 1,970 | ||||||||
| (Benefit from) provision for income taxes | (49 | ) | 62 | 134 | 91 | 505 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 350 | 332 | 381 | 1,005 | 1,133 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 109 | 97 | 82 | 283 | 251 | |||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (480 | ) | 606 | 1,170 | 781 | 3,859 | ||||||||||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||||
| less: Loss (gain) on sale of business(a) | 6 | — | — | 6 | (293 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| add: Asset write-downs(b) | 1,202 | 32 | — | 1,234 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: Cash Improvement Plan costs(c) | 7 | 20 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: Dutch PO joint venture exit costs(d) | — | — | — | 117 | — | |||||||||||||||
| add: European transaction costs(e) | 17 | 10 | — | 27 | — | |||||||||||||||
| less: EBITDA from discontinued operations(f) | 83 | 47 | 35 | (66 | ) | (68 | ) | |||||||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | $ | 835 | $ | 715 | $ | 1,205 | $ | 2,126 | $ | 3,498 | ||||||||||
(a) In September 2025, we sold our U.S. specialty powders business, resulting in the recognition of a loss in our Advanced Polymer Solutions ("APS") segment. In 2024, we sold our U.S. Gulf Coast-based Ethylene Oxide and Derivatives ("EO&D") business, resulting in the recognition of a gain in our Intermediates & Derivatives ("I&D") segment.
(b) Includes asset write-downs in excess of
(c) In April 2025, the Company announced the Cash Improvement Plan, focused on strengthening financial performance, which resulted in employee-related charges across all segments.
(d) In March 2025, we announced plans to permanently close our Dutch PO joint venture asset within the I&D segment, resulting in the recognition of shutdown-related costs.
(e) In June 2025, we announced plans to sell select olefins & polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe, resulting in selling expenses, separation costs and employee-related charges in our O&P-EAI segment.
(f) In February 2025, we ceased business operations at our Houston refinery. Accordingly, our refining business, previously disclosed as the Refining segment, is reported as a discontinued operation. The related operating results of our refining business are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
| Table 3 - Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Diluted EPS Excluding Identified Items | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30 2025 | June 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | September 30 2025 | September 30 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted (loss) earnings per share | $ | (2.77 | ) | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.75 | $ | (1.89 | ) | $ | 6.00 | ||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||
| less: Loss (gain) on sale of business | 0.02 | — | — | 0.02 | (0.68 | ) | ||||||||||||
| add: Asset write-downs(a) | 3.51 | 0.07 | — | 3.58 | — | |||||||||||||
| add: Cash Improvement Plan costs | 0.01 | 0.05 | — | 0.06 | — | |||||||||||||
| add: Dutch PO joint venture exit costs | — | — | — | 0.27 | — | |||||||||||||
| add: European transaction costs | 0.05 | 0.03 | — | 0.08 | — | |||||||||||||
| less: Loss (income) from discontinued operations | 0.19 | 0.13 | 0.16 | (0.16 | ) | 0.11 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share excluding identified items | $ | 1.01 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 1.91 | $ | 1.96 | $ | 5.43 | ||||||||
(a) Includes asset write-downs in excess of
| Table 4 - Calculation of Cash and Liquid Investments and Total Liquidity | ||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | September 30 2025 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 1,801 | ||
| Short-term investments | — | |||
| Cash and liquid investments | 1,801 | |||
| add: | ||||
| Availability under Senior Revolving Credit Facility | 3,750 | |||
| Availability under U.S. Receivables Facility | 900 | |||
| Total liquidity | $ | 6,451 | ||
| Table 5 - Calculation of Cash Conversion | |||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | September 30 2025 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 983 | |||
| divided by: | |||||
| EBITDA excluding LCM, gain or loss on sale of business and asset write-downs(a) | $ | 728 | |||
| Cash conversion | | ||||
(a) See Table 6 for a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA including and excluding LCM, gain or loss on sale of business and asset write-downs in excess of
| Table 6 - Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to EBITDA Including and Excluding LCM, Gain or Loss on Sale of Business and Asset Write-Downs | ||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | September 30 2025 | |||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 983 | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (350 | ) | ||
| Impairments | (1,202 | ) | ||
| Amortization of debt-related costs | (3 | ) | ||
| Share-based compensation | (15 | ) | ||
| Equity loss, net of distributions of earnings | (20 | ) | ||
| Deferred income tax benefit | 163 | |||
| Loss on sale of business | (6 | ) | ||
| Changes in assets and liabilities that (provided) used cash: | ||||
| Accounts receivable | (212 | ) | ||
| Inventories | (149 | ) | ||
| Accounts payable | 150 | |||
| Other, net | (229 | ) | ||
| Net loss | (890 | ) | ||
| Benefit from income taxes | (49 | ) | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 350 | |||
| Interest expense, net | 109 | |||
| EBITDA | (480 | ) | ||
| add: LCM charges | — | |||
| less: Loss on sale of business(a) | 6 | |||
| add: Asset write-downs(b) | 1,202 | |||
| EBITDA excluding LCM, gain or loss on sale of business and asset write-downs | $ | 728 | ||
(a) In September 2025, we sold our U.S. specialty powders business, resulting in the recognition of a loss in our APS segment.
(b) Includes asset write-downs in excess of