LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) returns to Q1 profit and closes European O&P asset sale
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. reported first quarter 2026 net income of $125 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on $7.2 billion of sales and other operating revenues. Excluding identified items, net income was $163 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.49. EBITDA was $568 million, or $615 million excluding identified items, reflecting stronger margins in North American olefins and polyolefins and improved performance in Intermediates & Derivatives and Advanced Polymer Solutions.
The company completed the sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets, including four sites and associated corporate functions, to AEQUITA, advancing its portfolio transformation and shifting further toward cost-advantaged production. LyondellBasell ended the quarter with $2.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents and total liquidity of $7.3 billion, after $269 million of capital expenditures and $224 million of dividends. Management highlighted a steeper global petrochemical cost curve due to the war in the Middle East and expects tighter supply and favorable pricing to support sequential improvement in the second quarter.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Q1 profit returns, asset sale completed, balance sheet remains strong.
LyondellBasell moved from a Q4 2025 loss to Q1 2026 net income of $125 million, with EBITDA rising to $568 million and $615 million excluding identified items. Adjusted diluted EPS reached $0.49, showing improved underlying profitability despite a still-challenging petrochemical backdrop.
The divestiture of four European olefins and polyolefins sites to AEQUITA advances portfolio reshaping toward more cost-advantaged assets. Management ties this to its Value Enhancement Program and Cash Improvement Plan, which also drive fixed-cost reductions and working capital optimization across segments.
Liquidity remains robust with cash and liquid investments of $2.639 billion and total liquidity of $7.289 billion as of March 31, 2026, after $269 million of capex and $224 million of dividends. The company expects second-quarter gains from tighter global supply and higher margins as it runs North American olefins and polyolefins assets at high rates and raises European utilization to about 80%.
8-K Event Classification
4 items: 0.49, 2.02, 8.01, 9.01
4 items
Item 0.49
Item 0.49
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Sales and operating revenues: $7.197 billion
Net income: $125 million
Diluted EPS: $0.38 per share
+5 more
8 metrics
Sales and operating revenues
$7.197 billion
Three months ended March 31, 2026
Net income
$125 million
Three months ended March 31, 2026
Diluted EPS
$0.38 per share
Three months ended March 31, 2026
EBITDA
$568 million
Three months ended March 31, 2026
EBITDA excluding identified items
$615 million
Three months ended March 31, 2026
Cash and liquid investments
$2.639 billion
As of March 31, 2026
Total liquidity
$7.289 billion
As of March 31, 2026
O&P-Americas EBITDA
$327 million
Three months ended March 31, 2026
Key Terms
EBITDA, identified items, Cash Improvement Plan, European transaction costs, +2 more
6 terms
EBITDA financial
"•EBITDA: $568 million, $615 million excluding identified items"
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.
identified items financial
"Net income: $125 million, $163 million excluding identified items1"
Cash Improvement Plan financial
"Cash Improvement Plan costs, pre-tax"
European transaction costs financial
"European transaction costs, pre-tax"
discontinued operations financial
"Income) loss from discontinued operations, pre-tax"
Discontinued operations are parts of a company that it has decided to sell or shut down, and no longer plans to run in the future. This matters to investors because it helps them understand which parts of the business are ongoing and which are being phased out, providing a clearer picture of the company’s current performance and future prospects. Think of it like a store closing a department—it no longer contributes to sales or profits.
Value Enhancement Program financial
"supported by our Value Enhancement Program and reductions in fixed cost"
Earnings Snapshot
Sales and other operating revenues: $7.197 billion · Guidance included
Q1 2026
Sales and other operating revenues
$7.197 billion
Net income
$125 million
Diluted EPS
$0.38
EBITDA
$568 million
Net income excluding identified items
$163 million
Diluted EPS excluding identified items
$0.49
EBITDA excluding identified items
$615 million
Guidance
Management expects significant sequential improvement in the second quarter across most businesses driven by tighter supply dynamics and favorable pricing linked to disruptions in the Middle East.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________________________
FORM 8-K
____________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 1, 2026
____________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission file number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(Registrant’s telephone numbers, including area codes)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_____________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.
On May 1, 2026, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. ("LYB") announced earnings results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and provided a supplemental discussion of segment results. Copies of our earnings release and segment results are attached as Exhibit 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated into this Item 2.02 by reference.
The information in this Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 furnished herewith, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and will not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On May 1, 2026, LYB announced the completion of the sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets, and the associated business including corporate functions, to AEQUITA pursuant to the terms and conditions of a sale and purchase agreement (“SPA”) which contains customary post-closing covenants related to employee and other matters.
The foregoing descriptions of the sale and SPA do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the SPA, which is incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K; see Exhibit 10.1 below.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 10.1 | Sale and Purchase Agreement dated as of October 29, 2025, between LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. and AEQ Amethyst B.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2025). | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated May 1, 2026. | |||||||
| 99.2 | Business Results Discussion by Reporting Segment dated May 1, 2026. | |||||||
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
| LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V. | |||||||||||||||||
| Date: | May 1, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Matthew D. Hayes | ||||||||||||||||
| Matthew D. Hayes | |||||||||||||||||
| Senior Vice President, | |||||||||||||||||
| Chief Accounting Officer | |||||||||||||||||
| (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||||||||
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON and LONDON, May 1, 2026
LyondellBasell Reports First Quarter 2026 Earnings
•Net income: $125 million, $163 million excluding identified items1
•Diluted earnings per share: $0.38 per share; $0.49 per share excluding identified items
•EBITDA: $568 million, $615 million excluding identified items
•Middle East war has steepened the global cost curve for the petrochemical industry
•LYB is leveraging cost-advantaged production to capture upside while maintaining financial resilience
◦Demonstrating agility by increasing operating rates, optimizing production and capturing favorable pricing in dynamic markets with support from value-enhancing initiatives executed over the last 3 years
◦Advancing transformation of the LYB portfolio with the sale of four European sites to right-size and enhance the future footprint
◦Continuing work to reduce fixed costs, maintaining discipline in capital spending and proactively managing levels of working capital to support cash improvement in 2026
LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) (the "company") today announced results for the first quarter 2026. Comparisons with the prior quarter and first quarter 2025 are available in the following table:
Table 1 - Earnings Summary
| Millions of U.S. dollars (except share data) | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| March 31 2026 | December 31 2025 | March 31 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Sales and other operating revenues | $7,197 | $7,091 | $7,677 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 125 | (140) | 177 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | 0.38 | (0.45) | 0.54 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average diluted share count | 323 | 322 | 324 | |||||||||||
EBITDA1 | 568 | 345 | 655 | |||||||||||
Excluding Identified Items1
| Net income (loss) excluding identified items | $163 | $(79) | $110 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding identified items | 0.49 | (0.26) | 0.33 | |||||||||||
| Asset write-downs, pre-tax | 15 | 17 | — | |||||||||||
| Cash Improvement Plan costs, pre-tax | — | 5 | — | |||||||||||
| Site closure costs, pre-tax | 4 | 36 | 117 | |||||||||||
| European transaction costs, pre-tax | 10 | 9 | — | |||||||||||
| (Income) loss from discontinued operations, pre-tax | 18 | 5 | (196) | |||||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | 615 | 417 | 576 | |||||||||||
(1) See “Information Related to Financial Measures” for a discussion of the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures and Tables 2-4 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 $10 million in aggregate for the period, Cash Improvement Plan costs, site closure costs, European transaction costs and discontinued operations.
1
“The global cost curve for petrochemicals has materially steepened with the onset of war in the Middle East and is unlikely to revert to pre-war conditions anytime soon. LYB is moving quickly and decisively to increase production to help fill the gap in global supply for our essential products and improve security of supply for our customers. We are leveraging the lowest delivered cost with advantaged assets in North America and passing through higher raw material costs in Europe to profitably serve local demand,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell Chief Executive Officer. “The sequential improvement in our first quarter results was driven by operational discipline and commercial execution. Our deliberate portfolio actions, supported by our Value Enhancement Program and reductions in fixed cost through the Cash Improvement Plan, increase our capability to capture long-term value. We remain focused on cash generation while prioritizing safe and reliable operations that allow us to expand our earnings potential in 2026 and beyond.”
FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS
The company reported net income for the first quarter 2026 of $125 million, or $0.38 per diluted share. During the quarter, the company recognized $38 million of identified items, net of tax. These items, which impacted first quarter earnings by $0.11 per share, included non-cash asset write-downs, costs incurred for transactions and discontinued operations. First quarter 2026 EBITDA was $568 million, or $615 million excluding identified items.
In the Olefins and Polyolefins - Americas segment, EBITDA doubled relative to the prior quarter as lower feedstock costs and accelerating product prices benefited integrated polyethylene margins to more than offset the negative impact from winter storm Fern at the start of the year. Tightening market conditions associated with the war in the Middle East supported higher polyethylene prices in both domestic and export markets. Polypropylene margins declined as prices lagged higher monomer costs during the early weeks of the war. In Europe, a combination of reduced imports and improved seasonal demand drove higher prices and volumes that were partially offset by higher naphtha costs.
In the Intermediates and Derivatives segment, propylene oxide and derivatives margins strengthened with improved pricing and increased demand. A delayed restart of the La Porte acetyls assets impacted first quarter profitability. In oxyfuels, margins compressed due to lower gasoline cracks and octane premiums while volumes were impacted by an outage at the Bayport PO/TBA site that began in March.
LyondellBasell used $269 million in cash from operating activities during the first quarter. After achieving a very low working capital balance at the end of 2025, the increased use of cash in the first quarter reflects a relatively modest, but typical, first quarter working capital build and the effects of serving increased global demand at higher prices and volumes. Capital allocation was balanced between capital expenditures of $269 million and $224 million of shareholder returns through dividends. At the end of the quarter, LYB held $2.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents and maintained $7.3 billion in available liquidity.
STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS
LYB reached an important milestone in its portfolio transformation with the completion of the sale of four European assets. The company is now better positioned with increased resilience and greater flexibility to capture market upside by leveraging a greater proportion of its portfolio's low-cost production.
2
Against this backdrop, the company's three-pillar strategy remains unchanged with continued focus on the Cash Improvement Plan and active portfolio management to reduce fixed costs, maintain discipline in capital investments and drive the optimization of working capital to benefit cash generation. With this strong foundation, LYB is proactively managing its response to rapidly shifting global markets by aligning production with feedstock optimization and commercial execution to maximize value through the lowest delivered cost.
OUTLOOK
In the second quarter, market conditions are expected to support significant sequential improvement across almost all businesses, reflecting tighter supply dynamics and favorable pricing trends resulting from the disruption in the Middle East. In North America, further margin expansion is anticipated, driven by increased export demand and crude-linked pricing dynamics. In Europe, the completion of the European asset sale is expected to improve average margins while reducing cost. Reduced exports from the Middle East and Asia to Europe are leading to increased polymer spreads, which are expected to more than offset lower volumes associated with the divestiture. Reductions in operating rates and shutdowns associated with the war could accelerate capacity rationalizations to support a more constructive supply and demand balance for the global industry. In oxyfuels, higher margins from widening spreads should partially offset lower volumes associated with unplanned downtime at the Bayport PO/TBA site. Intermediate chemicals results are expected to improve with stronger methanol and acetyls margins.
The company is aligning second quarter operations to capture value and match demand by maximizing rates for North American olefins and polyolefins (O&P) assets and raising rates for European O&P assets to 80% while the Intermediates & Derivatives segment is expected to keep rates at 75%. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty is likely to continue to drive supply dislocations and price volatility. With cost-advantaged assets and operating leverage, LYB is well-positioned to profit from the steeper global cost curve for petrochemicals.
3
CONFERENCE CALL
LYB will host a conference call May 1 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 1:00 p.m. ET May 1 until May 31, 2026. The replay toll-free dial-in numbers are 1-877-407-8029 and 201-689-8029. The access ID for each is 13746217.
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.
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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; the impacts and scope of the global supply disruption resulting from the war in the Middle East; 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; 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, 2025, 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.
5
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 ("GAAP"), 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 $10 million in aggregate for the period, Cash Improvement Plan costs, site closure costs, European transaction costs and discontinued operations. Asset write-downs include impairments of goodwill and impairments of long-lived assets. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory valuation methodology, which means that the most recently incurred costs are charged to cost of sales and inventories are valued at the earliest acquisition costs. Fluctuation in the prices of crude oil, natural gas and correlated products from period to period may result in the recognition of charges to adjust the value of inventory to the lower of cost or market in periods of falling prices and the reversal of those charges in subsequent interim periods, within the same fiscal year as the charge, as market prices recover. A gain or loss on sale of a business is calculated as the consideration received from the sale less its carrying value. We evaluate property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets whenever impairment indicators are present. If it is determined that an asset or asset group’s undiscounted future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover the carrying amount, an impairment charge is recognized to write the asset down to its estimated fair value. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit with goodwill is below its carrying amount. If it is determined that the carrying value of the reporting unit including goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized. We assess our equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. If the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary the investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In June 2025, we announced plans to sell select olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe, resulting in selling expenses, separation costs and employee-related charges (collectively referred to as "European transaction costs"). In April 2025, the company announced the Cash Improvement Plan, focused on strengthening financial performance, which resulted in employee-related charges across all segments. In March 2025, we announced the permanent closure of our Dutch PO joint venture asset, resulting in the recognition of shutdown-related charges in our Intermediates & Derivatives ("I&D") segment. Additionally, we recognized shutdown and employee-related charges related to sites in our Advanced Polymer Solutions ("APS") and Olefins & Polyolefins – Europe, Asia, International ("O&P-EAI") segments. 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.
6
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
7
| Table 2 - Reconciliations of Net Income (Loss) to Net Income (Loss) Excluding Identified Items and to EBITDA Including and Excluding Identified Items | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 125 | $ | (140) | $ | 177 | ||||||||||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||||
add: Asset write-downs, pre-tax(a) | 15 | 17 | — | |||||||||||||||||
add: Cash Improvement Plan costs, pre-tax(b) | — | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||||
add: Site closure costs, pre-tax(c) | 4 | 36 | 117 | |||||||||||||||||
add: European transaction costs, pre-tax(d) | 10 | 9 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| less: (Income) loss from discontinued operations, pre-tax | 18 | 5 | (196) | |||||||||||||||||
| add: Provision for (benefit from) income taxes related to identified items | (9) | (11) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) excluding identified items | $ | 163 | $ | (79) | $ | 110 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 125 | $ | (140) | $ | 177 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | (6) | (7) | 78 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 342 | 385 | 323 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 107 | 107 | 77 | |||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | 568 | 345 | 655 | |||||||||||||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||||
add: Asset write-downs(a) | 15 | 17 | — | |||||||||||||||||
add: Cash Improvement Plan costs(b) | — | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||||
add: Site closure costs(c) | 4 | 36 | 117 | |||||||||||||||||
add: European transaction costs(d) | 10 | 9 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| less: EBITDA from discontinued operations | 18 | 5 | (196) | |||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | $ | 615 | $ | 417 | $ | 576 | ||||||||||||||
(a) Includes asset write-downs in excess of $10 million in aggregate for the period. Asset write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, primarily relate to property, plant and equipment within our O&P-EAI segment.
(b) In April 2025, the company announced the Cash Improvement Plan, focused on strengthening financial performance, which resulted in employee-related charges across all segments.
(c) In March 2025, we announced the permanent closure of our Dutch PO joint venture asset, resulting in shutdown-related charges of $117 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, within our I&D segment. Additionally, for the three months ended December 31, 2025, we recognized closure costs of $20 million related to sites within our APS segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we recognized closure costs of $4 million and $7 million, respectively, related to a site in our O&P-EAI segment.
(d) In June 2025, we announced plans to sell select European olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business, resulting in selling expenses, separation costs and employee-related charges in our O&P-EAI segment.
8
| Table 3 - Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Diluted EPS Excluding Identified Items | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.38 | $ | (0.45) | $ | 0.54 | ||||||||||||||
| Identified items | ||||||||||||||||||||
add: Asset write-downs(a) | 0.03 | 0.04 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| add: Cash Improvement Plan costs | — | 0.02 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| add: Site closure costs | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.27 | |||||||||||||||||
| add: European transaction costs | 0.03 | 0.03 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| less: (Income) loss from discontinued operations | 0.04 | 0.02 | (0.48) | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding identified items | $ | 0.49 | $ | (0.26) | $ | 0.33 | ||||||||||||||
| Table 4 - Calculation of Cash and Liquid Investments and Total Liquidity | ||||||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | March 31, 2026 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 2,639 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | — | |||||||
| Cash and liquid investments | 2,639 | |||||||
| add: | ||||||||
| Availability under Senior Revolving Credit Facility | 3,750 | |||||||
| Availability under U.S. Receivables Facility | 900 | |||||||
| Total liquidity | $ | 7,289 | ||||||
9
LYONDELLBASELL BUSINESS RESULTS DISCUSSION BY REPORTING SEGMENT
LyondellBasell (LYB) manages operations through five operating segments: 1) Olefins and Polyolefins-Americas; 2) Olefins and Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International; 3) Intermediates and Derivatives; 4) Advanced Polymer Solutions; and 5) Technology.
This information should be read in conjunction with our Earnings Release for the period ended March 31, 2026, including the forward-looking statements and information related to financial measures.
Olefins & Polyolefins-Americas (O&P-Americas) - Our O&P-Americas segment produces and markets olefins & co-products, polyethylene and polypropylene.
Table 1 - O&P-Americas Financial Overview
| Millions of U.S. dollars | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $142 | $(32) | $85 | ||||||||
| EBITDA | 327 | 162 | 251 | ||||||||
| Identified items: Cash Improvement Plan costs | — | 2 | — | ||||||||
EBITDA excluding identified items(a) | 327 | 164 | 251 | ||||||||
(a) See "Information Related to Financial Measures" for a discussion of the company's use of non-GAAP financial measures and Table 6 for reconciliations 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 $10 million in aggregate for the period, Cash Improvement Plan costs, site closure costs, European transaction costs and discontinued operations.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended December 31, 2025 - EBITDA increased $165 million, or $163 million excluding identified items versus the fourth quarter 2025, driven by higher integrated margin from pricing actions following year‑end destocking and global supply disruptions with favorable olefins feedstock dynamics. Results also benefitted from operating flexibility, including higher rates and optimized production, enabled by Value Enhancement Program projects executed over the last three years. Compared to the prior period, olefins results increased approximately $75 million driven by stronger product pricing and favorable feedstock costs. The company's ethylene crackers operated at maximum rates, with the raw materials being approximately 75% ethane and 25% other natural gas liquids. Combined polyolefins results increased approximately $60 million driven by a recovery in polyethylene pricing across domestic and export markets driven by supply constraints. Results increased approximately $30 million from the combined impact of last-in, first-out ("LIFO") inventory valuation and annual compensation accrual changes compared to the fourth quarter 2025.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended March 31, 2025 - EBITDA increased $76 million versus the first quarter 2025. Olefins results increased approximately $40 million from the absence of planned and unplanned downtime. Combined polyolefin results increased approximately $35 million driven by lower feedstock costs partially offset by weaker polypropylene margins from high monomer cost.
Olefins & Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI) - Our O&P-EAI segment produces and markets olefins & co-products, polyethylene and polypropylene.
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Table 2 - O&P-EAI Financial Overview
| Millions of U.S. dollars | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| Operating loss | $(68) | $(211) | $(23) | ||||||||
| EBITDA | (35) | (95) | 17 | ||||||||
| Identified items: Asset write-downs | 15 | 17 | — | ||||||||
| Identified items: Cash Improvement Plan costs | — | 1 | — | ||||||||
| Identified items: Site closure costs | 4 | 7 | — | ||||||||
| Identified items: European transaction costs | 10 | 9 | — | ||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | (6) | (61) | 17 | ||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended December 31, 2025 - EBITDA increased $60 million, or $55 million excluding identified items, compared to the fourth quarter 2025. Compared to the prior period, olefins results increased approximately $10 million due to improved volumes with less planned downtime, partially offset by declining margins from an increase in feedstock price. The company's ethylene crackers operated at approximately 80% of capacity with about 15% of the raw materials derived from non-naphtha feedstocks. Combined polyolefins results increased approximately $85 million compared to the prior period driven by higher margins on pricing power from feedstock and supply chain disruptions. A decrease in losses from joint venture equity income increased EBITDA by approximately $20 million. Results decreased $67 million as we recognized a gain from sale of European emissions credit in the fourth quarter 2025.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended March 31, 2025 - EBITDA decreased $52 million, or $23 million excluding identified items compared to the first quarter 2025. Compared to the prior period, olefins results were relatively flat. Combined polyolefins results decreased approximately $15 million due to lower polymers volumes on lower demand. Joint venture equity income decreased approximately $10 million due to lower volumes from planned downtime.
Intermediates & Derivatives (I&D) - Our I&D segment produces and markets propylene oxide & derivatives, oxyfuels & related products and intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer and acetyls.
Table 3 - I&D Financial Overview
| Millions of U.S. dollars | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $118 | $92 | $(9) | ||||||||
| EBITDA | 224 | 195 | 94 | ||||||||
| Identified items: Cash Improvement Plan costs | — | 1 | — | ||||||||
| Identified items: Site closure costs | — | 9 | 117 | ||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | 224 | 205 | 211 | ||||||||
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Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended December 31, 2025 - EBITDA increased $29 million compared to the fourth quarter 2025 or $19 million excluding identified items recognized in the fourth quarter 2025. Compared to the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results increased approximately $35 million due to improved pricing and increased demand. Intermediate Chemicals results increased approximately $20 million primarily due to improved styrene margins and higher methanol volumes. Oxyfuels & Related Products results decreased approximately $85 million due to lower octane premiums coupled with lower volumes from lower demand. Results increased approximately $40 million from the combined impact of LIFO inventory valuation and annual compensation accrual changes compared to the fourth quarter 2025.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended March 31, 2025 - EBITDA increased $130 million compared to the first quarter 2025 or $13 million excluding shutdown costs of $117 million associated with the Dutch PO joint venture in the first quarter 2025. Compared to the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results increased approximately $50 million due to improved margins on lower feedstock costs. Intermediate Chemicals results decreased approximately $40 million due to lower volumes on unplanned downtime and decreased methanol margins. Oxyfuels & Related Products were relatively flat.
Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) - Our APS segment produces and markets compounding & solutions, such as polypropylene compounds, engineered plastics, masterbatches, engineered composites and colors.
Table 4 - APS Financial Overview
| Millions of U.S. dollars | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $38 | $(5) | $17 | ||||||||
| EBITDA | 58 | 17 | 46 | ||||||||
| Identified items: Cash Improvement Plan costs | — | 1 | — | ||||||||
| Identified items: Site closure costs | — | 20 | — | ||||||||
| EBITDA excluding identified items | 58 | 38 | 46 | ||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended December 31, 2025 - Compared to the fourth quarter 2025, EBITDA increased $41 million or $20 million excluding identified items, due to higher volumes on seasonal demand. Results decreased approximately $15 million from the combined impact of LIFO inventory valuation and annual compensation accrual changes compared to the fourth quarter 2025.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended March 31, 2025 - Compared to the first quarter 2025, EBITDA increased $12 million due to improved margins partially offset by lower volumes.
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Technology - Our Technology segment develops and licenses chemical and polyolefin process technologies and manufactures and sells polyolefin catalysts.
Table 5 - Technology Financial Overview
| Millions of U.S. dollars | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| Operating income | $7 | $69 | $42 | ||||||||
| EBITDA | 18 | 80 | 52 | ||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended December 31, 2025 - EBITDA decreased $62 million relative to the fourth quarter 2025. Compared to the prior period, licensing revenue decreased significantly as a lower number of contracts with lower average value reached revenue milestones.
Three months ended March 31, 2026 versus three months ended March 31, 2025 - EBITDA decreased $34 million relative to the first quarter 2025. Licensing revenue decreased compared to the prior period as contracts with lower average values reached significant milestones. Catalyst margins decreased as a result of higher variable costs, from lower operating rates in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Capital Spending and Cash Balances
Capital expenditures, including sustaining maintenance and profit-generating growth projects, were $269 million during the first quarter 2026. At the end of the quarter, cash and liquid investment balances were $2.6 billion, which includes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments. There were 323 million common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2026. The company paid dividends of $224 million and did not repurchase shares during the first quarter 2026.
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INFORMATION RELATED TO FINANCIAL MEASURES
We make 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 ("GAAP"), but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA exclusive of identified items provides 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. Identified items include adjustments for lower of cost or market (“LCM”), gain or loss on sale of business, asset write-downs in excess of $10 million in aggregate for the period, Cash Improvement Plan costs, site closure costs, European transaction costs and discontinued operations. Asset write-downs include impairments of goodwill and impairments of long-lived assets. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory valuation methodology, which means that the most recently incurred costs are charged to cost of sales and inventories are valued at the earliest acquisition costs. Fluctuation in the prices of crude oil, natural gas and correlated products from period to period may result in the recognition of charges to adjust the value of inventory to the lower of cost or market in periods of falling prices and the reversal of those charges in subsequent interim periods, within the same fiscal year as the charge, as market prices recover. A gain or loss on sale of a business is calculated as the consideration received from the sale less its carrying value. We evaluate property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets whenever impairment indicators are present. If it is determined that an asset or asset group’s undiscounted future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover the carrying amount, an impairment charge is recognized to write the asset down to its estimated fair value. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit with goodwill is below its carrying amount. If it is determined that the carrying value of the reporting unit including goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized. We assess our equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. If the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary the investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In June 2025, we announced plans to sell select olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe, resulting in selling expenses, separation costs and employee-related charges (collectively referred to as "European transaction costs"). In April 2025, the company announced the Cash Improvement Plan, focused on strengthening financial performance, which resulted in employee-related charges across all segments. In March 2025, we announced the permanent closure of our Dutch PO joint venture asset, resulting in the recognition of shutdown-related charges in our Intermediates & Derivatives ("I&D") segment. Additionally, we recognized shutdown and employee-related charges related to sites in our Advanced Polymer Solutions ("APS") and Olefins & Polyolefins – Europe, Asia, International ("O&P-EAI") segments. 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.
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| Table 6 - Reconciliation of EBITDA to EBITDA Excluding Identified Items by Segment | |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Millions of U.S. dollars | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA: | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas | $ | 327 | $ | 162 | $ | 251 | |||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | (35) | (95) | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Intermediates & Derivatives | 224 | 195 | 94 | ||||||||||||||
| Advanced Polymer Solutions | 58 | 17 | 46 | ||||||||||||||
| Technology | 18 | 80 | 52 | ||||||||||||||
| Other, including intersegment eliminations | (6) | (9) | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations | (18) | (5) | 196 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 568 | $ | 345 | $ | 655 | |||||||||||
| Identified items: | |||||||||||||||||
add: Asset write-downs(a): | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | $ | 15 | $ | 17 | $ | — | |||||||||||
| add: Cash Improvement Plan costs: | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Intermediates & Derivatives | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Advanced Polymer Solutions | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||
| add: Site closure costs: | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | 4 | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Intermediates & Derivatives | — | 9 | 117 | ||||||||||||||
| Advanced Polymer Solutions | — | 20 | — | ||||||||||||||
| add: European transaction costs: | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | 10 | 9 | — | ||||||||||||||
| less: Discontinued operations | 18 | 5 | (196) | ||||||||||||||
| Total Identified items: | $ | 47 | $ | 72 | $ | (79) | |||||||||||
| EBITDA excluding Identified items: | |||||||||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas | $ | 327 | $ | 164 | $ | 251 | |||||||||||
| Olefins & Polyolefins - EAI | (6) | (61) | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Intermediates & Derivatives | 224 | 205 | 211 | ||||||||||||||
| Advanced Polymer Solutions | 58 | 38 | 46 | ||||||||||||||
| Technology | 18 | 80 | 52 | ||||||||||||||
| Other, including intersegment eliminations | (6) | (9) | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA excluding Identified items | $ | 615 | $ | 417 | $ | 576 | |||||||||||
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FAQ
How did LyondellBasell (LYB) perform financially in Q1 2026?
LyondellBasell reported Q1 2026 net income of $125 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on $7.197 billion of revenue. EBITDA was $568 million, or $615 million excluding identified items, indicating stronger underlying operating performance versus recent quarters.
What are LyondellBasell’s Q1 2026 results excluding identified items?
Excluding identified items, LyondellBasell’s Q1 2026 net income was $163 million and diluted EPS was $0.49 per share. EBITDA excluding identified items reached $615 million, adjusting for asset write-downs, site closure costs, European transaction costs and discontinued operations detailed by the company.
What major portfolio action did LyondellBasell take in Europe in 2026?
On May 1, 2026, LyondellBasell completed the sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets, including four sites and associated business functions, to AEQUITA. This transaction, governed by a sale and purchase agreement, supports the company’s portfolio transformation and footprint optimization strategy.
How strong is LyondellBasell’s liquidity position after Q1 2026?
As of March 31, 2026, LyondellBasell held $2.639 billion in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and reported $7.289 billion in total liquidity. Liquidity includes availability under the senior revolving credit facility and U.S. receivables facility, supporting ongoing operations and capital allocation plans.
How did LyondellBasell’s key segments perform in Q1 2026?
In Q1 2026, O&P-Americas delivered $327 million of EBITDA, O&P-EAI posted $(35) million, Intermediates & Derivatives generated $224 million, Advanced Polymer Solutions earned $58 million, and Technology contributed $18 million. Several segments showed notable sequential EBITDA improvement versus Q4 2025.