Stepan Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Stepan (NYSE: SCL) reported Q4 2025 net income of $5.0M (up 49% YoY) and adjusted EBITDA of $33.8M (down 3% YoY). Full-year 2025 results include net income of $46.9M (down 7%), net sales of $2.332B (up 7%), EBITDA of $208.0M (up 11%) and adjusted EBITDA of $198.9M (up 6%).

The company announced Project Catalyst targeting approximately $100M pre-tax savings over two years and expects 2026 adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow.

Positive

• Full-year EBITDA +11% to $208.0M
• Full-year adjusted EBITDA +6% to $198.9M
• Net sales +7% to $2.332B
• Announced Project Catalyst targeting $100M pre-tax savings over two years
• Polymer volume +11% in Q4
• Reduced Net Debt by $31.7M and Leverage Ratio to 2.5

Negative

• Full-year reported net income down 7% to $46.9M
• Full-year adjusted net income down 17% to $41.7M
• Surfactants operating income Q4 down 42% versus prior year
• Q4 consolidated adjusted EBITDA down 3% to $33.8M

News Market Reaction – SCL

-20.38%

24 alerts

-20.38% News Effect

-13.5% Trough in 1 hr 21 min

-$352M Valuation Impact

$1.38B Market Cap

0.4x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, SCL declined 20.38%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -13.5% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 24 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $352M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.38B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Q4 2025 net income: $5.0M Q4 2025 adjusted net income: -$0.5M Q4 2025 EBITDA: $43.3M +5 more

8 metrics

Q4 2025 net income $5.0M Fourth quarter 2025, up 49% vs prior year

Q4 2025 adjusted net income -$0.5M Fourth quarter 2025, down 119% vs prior year

Q4 2025 EBITDA $43.3M Fourth quarter 2025, up 21% year-over-year

Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA $33.8M Fourth quarter 2025, down 3% year-over-year

FY 2025 net income $46.9M Full year 2025, down 7% vs prior year

FY 2025 adjusted EBITDA $198.9M Full year 2025, up 6% year-over-year

Q4 2025 free cash flow $25.4M Fourth quarter 2025, driven by working capital reduction

Project Catalyst savings $100M Expected pre-tax savings over next two years

Market Reality Check

Price: $52.51 Vol: Volume 189,756 is close t...

normal vol

$52.51 Last Close

Volume Volume 189,756 is close to 20-day average 183,169 (relative volume 1.04x). normal

Technical Price $67.23 is -1.13% vs 52-week high $68.00, 60.76% above 52-week low $41.82, and trading above 200-day MA at $51.44.

Peers on Argus

Momentum scanner shows only one peer (LWLG) up 1.45% without news. Listed specia...

1 Up

Momentum scanner shows only one peer (LWLG) up 1.45% without news. Listed specialty-chemical peers (ECVT, ODC, KRO, MATV, KOP) show mixed single‑stock moves, with no clear, coordinated sector trend indicated.

Previous Earnings Reports

5 past events · Latest: Oct 29 (Neutral)

Same Type Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Oct 29	Q3 2025 earnings	Neutral	-0.4%	Net income down but adjusted EBITDA and net sales grew modestly.
Jul 30	Q2 2025 earnings	Positive	-9.7%	Strong gains in net income, adjusted net income, and Adjusted EBITDA.
Apr 29	Q1 2025 earnings	Positive	+7.1%	Robust net income, volume growth, and double-digit adjusted EBITDA increase.
Feb 19	Q4 2024 earnings	Neutral	+0.1%	Return to profitability but sharply lower adjusted net income year over year.
Oct 30	Q3 2024 earnings	Positive	+2.0%	Strong growth in net income, adjusted net income, and EBITDA metrics.

Pattern Detected

Earnings releases often show operational progress (EBITDA growth, volume gains) but market reactions have generally been modest, with one notable negative divergence on strong Q2 2025 results.

Recent Company History

Across the last five earnings reports (Q3 2024 through Q3 2025), Stepan has repeatedly highlighted adjusted EBITDA growth, evolving product mix, and volume gains in key segments, while also absorbing higher taxes and start-up costs at the Pasadena, Texas facility. 2025 updates added asset divestitures in the Philippines and footprint optimization themes. Today’s Q4 and full-year 2025 results continue those narratives with higher EBITDA, modest volume growth, and ongoing cost and portfolio actions framing the outlook.

Historical Comparison

-0.2% avg move · Over the last five earnings releases, SCL’s average 24-hour move was -0.17%, indicating generally mu...

earnings

-0.2%

Average Historical Move earnings

Over the last five earnings releases, SCL’s average 24-hour move was -0.17%, indicating generally muted price reactions to mixed trends in net income and adjusted EBITDA.

Earnings since late 2024 show a shift from Pasadena start-up drag toward steadier adjusted EBITDA growth, while 2025 layered in footprint optimization via Philippine and Lake Providence asset sales and modest global volume gains.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock dropped -20.4% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite EBITDA and ...

Analysis

The stock dropped -20.4% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite EBITDA and sales growth would fit past instances where strong operational metrics coincided with cautious sentiment, such as Q2 2025. The decline could reflect focus on weaker adjusted net income, higher tax rates, and restructuring risks tied to Project Catalyst. With Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA at $33.8M and ongoing footprint optimization, execution on cost savings and volume stability would remain key considerations.

Key Terms

ebitda, adjusted ebitda, free cash flow, non-gaap

4 terms

ebitda financial

"EBITDA(2) was $43.3 million, up 21% versus the prior year."

EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It measures a company's profitability by focusing on the money it makes from its core operations, ignoring expenses like taxes and accounting adjustments. Investors use EBITDA to compare how well different companies are performing financially, as it provides a clearer picture of operational success without the influence of financial structure or accounting choices.

adjusted ebitda financial

"Adjusted EBITDA(2) was $33.8 million, down 3% year-over-year."

Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.

free cash flow financial

"Free cash flow(3) for the quarter was $25.4 million, driven by a reduction in working capital."

Free cash flow is the amount of money a company has left over after paying all its expenses and investing in its business, like buying equipment or updating facilities. It shows how much cash is available to reward shareholders, pay down debt, or save for future growth. This helps investors understand if a company is financially healthy and able to grow.

non-gaap financial

"Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures which exclude..."

Non-GAAP refers to financial measures that companies use to show their earnings or performance without including certain expenses or income that are often added back to give a different picture. It matters because it can make a company's results look better or more favorable, but it may also hide important costs, so investors need to look at both GAAP (official rules) and non-GAAP numbers to get a full understanding.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights

• Reported net income was $5.0 million, up 49% versus the prior year.   Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was a $0.5 million loss, down 119% versus the prior year, largely due to higher interest expense, resulting from lower capitalized interest income recognition due to the Pasadena, TX site start-up, a less favorable effective tax rate and lower Surfactant earnings. 
• EBITDA⁽²⁾  was $43.3 million, up 21% versus the prior year.  Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $33.8 million, down 3% year-over-year.
• Global sales volume was down 3% year-over-year.  Global sales volume, excluding the impact of the Philippines asset divestiture, was flat year-over-year.    
• Cash from Operations was $60.0 million during the quarter.  Free cash flow⁽³⁾ for the quarter was $25.4 million, driven by a reduction in working capital.
• Pre-tax earnings include $6.2 million of goodwill impairment expense related to the Company's Mexican reporting unit and $15.9 million of gains related to the previously announced Philippines and Lake Providence, LA asset divestitures.

Full Year 2025 Highlights

• Reported net income was $46.9 million, down 7% versus the prior year.  Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $41.7 million, down 17% versus the prior year.
• EBITDA⁽²⁾  was $208.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $198.9 million, up 11% and 6%, respectively, year-over-year.
• Global sales volume was up 1% year-over-year.  Global sales volume, excluding the impact of the Philippines asset divestiture, was up 2% year-over-year.  

"2025 was a transformational year for Stepan as we divested two plant sites and completed preliminary work that has positioned us to further optimize our footprint and asset base in 2026.  Despite many challenges in 2025, we delivered growth in several of our core businesses, advanced several strategic initiatives and have an operational plan in place to accelerate profitable growth moving forward.  Full year adjusted EBITDA grew 6% versus prior year despite a significant increase in oleochemical raw material costs and start-up expenses at our Pasadena site.  Volume grew 1%, organic volume grew 2% and net sales were up 7% driven by pricing actions and favorable product and customer mix.  We delivered $25.4 million of free cash flow and increased our dividend for the 58th consecutive year, while reducing our Net Debt by $31.7 million and our Leverage Ratio to 2.5," said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was down 3% primarily due to a challenging North American Surfactant environment.  We continue to recover margins in Surfactants despite an unprecedented run-up in raw material costs.  Polymer volume was up 11% as our Rigid, Specialty Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride businesses all delivered volume growth.  I want to personally thank all of our Stepan colleagues around the world for their hard work and resilience during the year."

Financial Summary

		Three Months Ended December 31,												Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share data)		2025				2024				% Change				2025				2024				% Change
Net Sales		$	553,886			$	525,609				5	%		$	2,332,114			$	2,180,274				7	%
Operating Income		$	10,502			$	7,695				36	%		$	78,549			$	70,480				11	%
Net Income		$	5,004			$	3,350				49	%		$	46,895			$	50,370				(7)	%
Earnings per Diluted Share		$	0.22			$	0.15				47	%		$	2.05			$	2.20				(7)	%
Adjusted Net Income *		$	(531)			$	2,757				(119)	%		$	41,680			$	50,470				(17)	%
Adjusted Earnings per    Diluted Share *		$	(0.02)			$	0.12				(117)	%		$	1.82			$	2.20				(17)	%

* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

 

Percentage Change in Net Sales

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 increased 5% year-over-year.  This increase reflects higher selling prices, that were mainly attributable to the pass-through of higher raw material costs and more favorable product mix, and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.  A 3% decline in sales volume partially offset the above.   

		Three Months Ended December 31, 2025				Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025
Volume			(3)	%			1	%
Selling Price & Mix			5	%			6	%
Foreign Translation			3	%			(—)	%
Total			5	%			7	%

         

Segment Results

		Three Months Ended December 31,												Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2025				2024				% Change				2025				2024				% Change
Net Sales
Surfactants		$	401,832			$	378,776				6	%		$	1,665,983			$	1,532,115				9	%
Polymers		$	131,682			$	129,844				1	%		$	584,477			$	584,905				(0)	%
Specialty Products		$	20,372			$	16,989				20	%		$	81,654			$	63,254				29	%
Total Net Sales		$	553,886			$	525,609				5	%		$	2,332,114			$	2,180,274				7	%
		Three Months Ended December 31,												Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax)		2025				2024				% Change				2025				2024				% Change
Operating Income
Surfactants		$	9,343			$	16,173				(42)	%		$	67,358			$	85,618				(21)	%
Polymers		$	3,984			$	3,396				17	%		$	43,265			$	40,623				7	%
Specialty Products		$	5,240			$	5,594				(6)	%		$	25,640			$	20,908				23	%
Total Segment    Operating Income		$	18,567			$	25,163				(26)	%		$	136,263			$	147,149				(7)	%
Corporate Expenses		$	(8,065)			$	(17,468)				(54)	%		$	(57,714)			$	(76,669)				(25)	%
Consolidated    Operating Income		$	10,502			$	7,695				36	%		$	78,549			$	70,480				11	%
		Three Months Ended December 31,												Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions)		2025				2024				% Change				2025				2024				% Change
EBITDA		$	43.3			$	35.8				21	%		$	208.0			$	186.9				11	%
Adjusted EBITDA
Surfactants		$	32.1			$	34.7				(7)	%		$	153.0			$	157.6				(3)	%
Polymers		$	12.4			$	11.4				9	%		$	76.4			$	73.0				5	%
Specialty Products		$	6.7			$	7.1				(6)	%		$	31.5			$	26.9				17	%
Unallocated Corporate		$	(17.4)			$	(18.2)				(4)	%		$	(62.0)			$	(70.5)				(12)	%
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA		$	33.8			$	35.0				(3)	%		$	198.9			$	187.0				6	%

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ decreased $1.2 million, or 3%, in the quarter.  This decrease was primarily due to a 7% decline in Surfactant sales volume, driven by lower demand in the global commodity Laundry & Cleaning end markets.  Polymer sales volume growth of 11% and lower corporate expenses partially offset the above. 

• Surfactant net sales were $401.8 million for the quarter, a 6% increase versus the prior year.  Selling prices were up 10% primarily due to pass through of higher raw material costs, improved product and customer mix, along with pricing actions.  Sales volume declined 7% year-over-year primarily due to lower demand within the commodity Laundry & Cleaning end markets, lower demand from our distribution partners and lower volume in the Philippines due to the asset divestiture.  Excluding the impact of the Philippines, organic volume declined 3%.  These declines were partially offset by double digit growth within the Industrial Cleaning end markets and year-over-year growth within the Agricultural and Oilfield end markets.  Foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 3%.  Surfactant adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾  for the quarter decreased $2.6 million, or 7%, versus the prior year.  This decrease was primarily due to the 7% decrease in sales volume. 
• Polymer net sales were $131.7 million for the quarter, a 1% increase versus the prior year.  Selling prices decreased 12%, primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and competitive pressures.  Sales volume increased 11% in the quarter.  North American Rigid and commodity Phthalic Anhydride sales volume was up double digits year-over-year.  Foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 2% during the quarter.  Polymer adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ increased $1.0 million, or 9%, versus the prior year primarily due to the 11% increase in sales volume.    
• Specialty Products net sales were $20.4 million for the quarter, a 20% increase versus the prior year, primarily due to higher sales volume.  Specialty Products adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ decreased $0.4 million, or 6%.  The decrease in adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was primarily due to lower margins resulting from order timing fluctuations within the pharmaceutical business.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was 21.7% in 2025 versus 16.7% in 2024.  This increase was primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of favorable deferred tax adjustments recognized in 2024.

Outlook

"As we look forward to 2026, we remain focused on delivering superior shareholder returns with a balanced approach between top line growth and productivity cost out efforts.  Today we announced Project Catalyst, which is a comprehensive plan designed to further optimize our asset base and create a more productive and agile organization to enable growth.  Project Catalyst is expected to deliver approximately $100 million in pre-tax savings over the next two years.  As part of Project Catalyst, Stepan will close its Fieldsboro, NJ site and decommission select assets at its Millsdale, IL and Stalybridge, UK facilities.  Additionally, we are analyzing other opportunities to optimize our asset base, organization structure and operating model.  We will announce future interventions once approved plans are in place,"  said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "With these actions, we believe we are positioned to deliver full year Adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow in 2026, despite the ongoing market and tariff uncertainties."

Notes

(1) Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures which exclude deferred compensation income/expense, certain environmental remediation-related costs as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

(2) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.  See Table VI for calculations and GAAP reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

(3) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and reflects cash generated from operations minus capital expenditures.  Cash generated from operations was $60.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2025 and capital expenditures were $34.6 million.

Conference Call

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) on February 23, 2026. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. To access the call by phone, please click on this Registration Link, complete the form and you will be provided with dial in details and a PIN.  To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.  The webcast can be accessed through the Investors/Conference Calls page at www.stepan.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available at the same location shortly after the call.

Supporting Slides

Slides supporting this press release will be made available at www.stepan.com through the Investors/Presentations page at approximately the same time as this press release is issued.

Corporate Profile

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com. 

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to  accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in global trade policies, including tariffs; legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.  In addition to the risks described in the Company's periodic reports, the restructuring actions described herein may involve risks related to the execution of facility closures and asset decommissioning, potential operational disruptions, impacts on employees and local communities, environmental compliance, and the realization of anticipated cost savings and efficiencies.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

* * * * *

Tables follow

Table I

STEPAN COMPANY For the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (Unaudited – in 000's, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Net Sales		$	553,886			$	525,609			$	2,332,114			$	2,180,274
Cost of Sales			502,369				468,913				2,062,226				1,908,060
Gross Profit			51,517				56,696				269,888				272,214
Operating Expenses:
Selling			10,703				11,018				48,767				45,628
Administrative			23,710				24,764				90,789				98,277
Research, Development and Technical Services			15,703				13,793				59,278				55,674
Deferred Compensation Expense			549				(574)				2,155				2,155
			50,665				49,001				200,989				201,734
Goodwill Impairment			6,245				-				6,245				-
Gain on sale of assets			(15,895)				-				(15,895)
Operating Income			10,502				7,695				78,549				70,480
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, Net			(5,689)				(4,829)				(22,115)				(14,182)
Other, Net			126				(410)				3,470				4,141
			(5,563)				(5,239)				(18,645)				(10,041)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes			4,939				2,456				59,904				60,439
Provision for Income Taxes			(65)				(894)				13,009				10,069
Net Income			5,004				3,350				46,895				50,370
Net Income Per Common Share
Basic		$	0.22			$	0.15			$	2.05			$	2.21
Diluted		$	0.22			$	0.15			$	2.05			$	2.20
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per    Common Share
Basic			22,878				22,841				22,872				22,832
Diluted			22,891				22,912				22,890				22,931

Table II

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share*
		Three Months Ended December 31,																Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		2025				EPS				2024				EPS				2025				EPS				2024				EPS
Net Income Reported		$	5,004			$	0.22			$	3,350			$	0.15			$	46,895			$	2.05			$	50,370			$	2.20
Deferred Compensation (Income)		$	76			$	0.01			$	(762)			$	(0.03)			$	(473)			$	(0.02)			$	(1,805)			$	(0.08)
Environmental Remediation     Expense		$	65			$	0.00			$	169			$	-			$	934			$	0.04			$	1,905			$	0.08
Goodwill Impairment		$	6,245			$	0.27			$	-			$	-			$	6,245			$	0.27			$	-			$	-
Gain on Sale of Assets		$	(11,921)			$	(0.52)			$	-			$	-			$	(11,921)			$	(0.52)			$	-			$	-
Adjusted Net Income		$	(531)			$	(0.02)			$	2,757			$	0.12			$	41,680			$	1.82			$	50,470			$	2.20

* All amounts in this table are presented after-tax

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company's operating performance and financial condition.  The Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.  Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information because they exclude non-operational items that affect comparability between years.  These measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 contains additional information regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures.

Summary of Fourth Quarter 2025 Adjusted Net Income Items

Adjusted net income excludes non-operational deferred compensation income/expense, certain environmental remediation costs and other significant and infrequent or non-recurring items.

• Deferred Compensation: The fourth quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $0.1 million of after-tax expense versus $0.8 million of after-tax income in the prior year. 
• Environmental Remediation: The fourth quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $0.1 million of after-tax expense versus $0.2 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.
• Goodwill Impairment: The fourth quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $6.2 million of after-tax expense related to a goodwill impairment charge taken for the Company's Mexican reporting unit.  There were no impairment charges taken in the prior year.
• Gain on Sale of Assets: The fourth quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $11.9 million of after-tax income related to the previously announced Philippines and Lake Providence, LA asset sales.

Table III

Reconciliation of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments

Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted net income metric to evaluate the Company's operating performance.  Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items.  The cumulative tax effect was calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the transactions occurred.

		Three Months Ended December 31,																Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		2025				EPS				2024				EPS				2025				EPS				2024				EPS
Pre-Tax Adjustments
Deferred Compensation (Income)		$	101							$	(1,016)							$	(631)							$	(2,406)
Environmental Remediation Expense		$	87							$	225							$	1,245							$	2,540
Goodwill Impairment		$	6,245							$	-							$	6,245							$	-
Gain on Sale of Assets		$	(15,895)							$	-							$	(15,895)							$	-
Total Pre-Tax Adjustments		$	(9,462)							$	(791)							$	(9,036)							$	134
Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments		$	3,927							$	198							$	3,821							$	(34)
After-Tax Adjustments		$	(5,535)			$	(0.24)			$	(593)			$	(0.03)			$	(5,215)			$	(0.23)			$	100			$	0.00

Table IV

Deferred Compensation Plans

The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was $0.1 million of expense versus $1.1 million of income in the prior year.  The quarter-end market prices of Company stock and the impact of deferred compensation on specific income statement line items is summarized below:

		2025																2024
		12/31				9/30				6/30				3/31				12/31				9/30				6/30				3/31
Stepan Company		$	47.36			$	47.70			$	54.58			$	55.04			$	64.70			$	77.25			$	83.96			$	90.04

 

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2025				2024				2025				2024
Deferred Compensation
Operating Income (Expense)		$	(549)			$	574			$	(2,155)			$	(2,155)
Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)			448				442				2,786				4,561
Total Pre-Tax		$	(101)			$	1,016			$	631			$	2,406
Total After-Tax		$	(76)			$	762			$	473			$	1,805

 

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation

The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. These results are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period.  The table below presents the impact that foreign currency translation had on select income statement line items. 

($ in millions)		Three Months Ended December 31,								Change				Change Due to Foreign Currency Translation				Twelve Months Ended December 31,								Change				Change Due to Foreign Currency Translation
		2025				2024												2025				2024
Net Sales		$	553.9			$	525.6			$	28.3			$	16.1			$	2,332.1			$	2,180.3			$	151.8			$	4.6
Gross Profit			51.5				56.7			$	(5.2)				1.5				269.9				272.2			$	(2.3)				(0.4)
Operating Income			10.5				7.7			$	2.8				0.7				78.5				70.5			$	8.0				(0.8)
Pretax Income			4.9				2.5			$	2.4				0.5				59.9				60.4			$	(0.5)				(1.1)

 

		Corporate Expenses
		Three Months Ended December 31,												Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2025				2024				% Change				2025				2024				% Change
Total Corporate Expenses		$	8,065			$	17,468				(54)	%		$	57,714			$	76,669				(25)	%
Less:
Deferred Compensation Expense		$	549			$	(574)				(196)	%		$	2,155			$	2,155				(—)	%
Environmental Remediation       Expense		$	87			$	225				(61)	%		$	1,245			$	2,540				(51)	%
Goodwill Impairment		$	6,245			$	-			NM				$	6,245			$	-			NM
Gain on Sale of Assets		$	(15,895)			$	-			NM				$	(15,895)			$	-			NM
Adjusted Corporate Expenses		$	17,079			$	17,817				(4)	%		$	63,964			$	71,974				(11)	%

Adjusted Corporate expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 4% for the quarter.  This decrease was primarily due to the non-recurrence of CEO transition expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Table V

Stepan Company Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
		December 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Current Assets		$	858,959			$	810,429
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net			1,219,627				1,198,454
Other Assets			279,116				295,765
Total Assets		$	2,357,702			$	2,304,648
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities		$	666,494			$	669,034
Deferred Income Taxes			11,450				9,612
Long-term Debt			340,975				332,632
Other Non-current Liabilities			94,773				123,436
Total Stepan Company Stockholders' Equity			1,244,010				1,169,934
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	2,357,702			$	2,304,648

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information 

The Company's total debt decreased by $28.8 million and cash increased by $14.2 million versus September 30, 2025.  The Company's net debt level decreased $43.0 million versus September 30, 2025 and the net debt ratio was 28% versus 30% in the prior quarter (Net Debt and Net Debt Ratio are non-GAAP measures, reconciliations of which are shown in the table below).  Management uses the non-GAAP net debt metric to show a more complete picture of the Company's overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage level. 

($ in millions)	December 31, 2025				September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
Net Debt
Total Debt	$	626.7			$	655.5			$	658.0			$	659.3			$	625.4
Cash		132.7				118.5				88.9				107.5				99.7
Net Debt	$	494.0			$	537.0			$	569.1			$	551.8			$	525.7
Equity		1,244.0				1,246.8				1,241.7				1,200.5				1,169.9
Net Debt + Equity	$	1,738.0			$	1,783.8			$	1,810.8			$	1,752.3			$	1,695.6
Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)		28	%			30	%			31	%			31	%			31	%

 

The major working capital components were:

($ in millions)	December 31, 2025				September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
Net Receivables	$	388.0			$	436.1			$	442.2			$	436.5			$	388.0
Inventories		298.8				324.3				329.5				309.3				288.7
Accounts Payable		(261.7)				(289.4)				(281.8)				(298.1)				(258.8)
	$	425.1			$	471.0			$	489.9			$	447.7			$	417.9

Table VI

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Management uses the non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA metrics to evaluate the Company's operating performance.  Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items.  Refer to the Income Statement on Table I for a bridge between Operating Income and Net Income.

		Three Months Ended December 31, 2025
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	9.4			$	4.0			$	5.2			$	(8.1)			$	10.5
Depreciation and Amortization			22.7				8.4				1.5				0.1				32.7
Other, Net Income			-				-				-				0.1				0.1
EBITDA																		$	43.3
Deferred Compensation			-				-				-				0.1				0.1
Environmental Remediation			-				-				-				0.1				0.1
Goodwill Impairment			-				-				-				6.2				6.2
Gain on Sale of Assets			-				-				-				(15.9)				(15.9)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	32.1			$	12.4			$	6.7			$	(17.4)			$	33.8
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2024
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	16.2			$	3.4			$	5.6			$	(17.5)			$	7.7
Depreciation and Amortization			18.5				8.0				1.5				0.5				28.5
Other, Net Income			-				-				-				(0.4)				(0.4)
EBITDA																		$	35.8
Deferred Compensation			-				-				-				(1.0)				(1.0)
Environmental Remediation			-				-				-				0.2				0.2
Adjusted EBITDA		$	34.7			$	11.4			$	7.1			$	(18.2)			$	35.0
		Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	67.4			$	43.3			$	25.6			$	(57.8)			$	78.5
Depreciation and Amortization			85.6				33.1				5.9				1.4				126.0
Other, Net Income			-				-				-				3.5				3.5
EBITDA																		$	208.0
Deferred Compensation			-				-				-				(0.6)				(0.6)
Environmental Remediation			-				-				-				1.2				1.2
Goodwill Impairment			-				-				-				6.2				6.2
Gain on Sale of Assets			-				-				-				(15.9)				(15.9)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	153.0			$	76.4			$	31.5			$	(62.0)			$	198.9
		Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	85.6			$	40.6			$	20.9			$	(76.6)			$	70.5
Depreciation and Amortization			72.0				32.4				6.0				1.9				112.3
Other, Net Income			-				-				-				4.1				4.1
EBITDA																		$	186.9
Deferred Compensation			-				-				-				(2.4)				(2.4)
Environmental Remediation			-				-				-				2.5				2.5
Adjusted EBITDA		$	157.6			$	73.0			$	26.9			$	(70.5)			$	187.0

 

 

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SOURCE Stepan Company

FAQ

What net income did SCL report for Q4 2025 and how did it compare to Q4 2024?

SCL reported Q4 2025 net income of $5.0 million, a 49% increase versus Q4 2024. According to the company, adjusted net income was a $0.5 million loss, pressured by higher interest expense and lower Surfactant earnings.

What is Project Catalyst announced by Stepan (SCL) and what are the savings targets?

Project Catalyst is a restructuring and optimization plan targeting approximately $100 million in pre-tax savings over two years. According to the company, it includes site closures and decommissioning to improve productivity and operating agility.

How did Stepan's Surfactants segment perform in Q4 2025 and what drove the change?

Surfactant net sales were $401.8 million in Q4, up 6%, while operating income fell 42% year-over-year. According to the company, volume declines in commodity Laundry & Cleaning markets drove lower margins despite pricing and mix benefits.

What guidance did Stepan (SCL) give for 2026 regarding EBITDA and cash flow?

Stepan expects full-year adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow in 2026. According to the company, Project Catalyst actions position the business to deliver those outcomes despite market and tariff uncertainties.

Did Stepan change its dividend in 2025 and what does that mean for shareholders of SCL?

Stepan increased its dividend for the 58th consecutive year, signaling ongoing shareholder return commitment. According to the company, this reflects confidence in cash generation amid portfolio optimization and cost-savings plans.