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NewMarket (NYSE: NEU) posts Q1 2026 earnings with lower sales but strong cash returns

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

NewMarket Corporation reported first quarter 2026 net income of $118.1 million, or $12.62 per share, slightly below the $125.9 million, or $13.26 per share, earned in the first quarter of 2025. Net sales were $669.7 million versus $700.9 million a year earlier.

Petroleum additives net sales were $609.8 million with operating profit of $135.0 million, down from $645.6 million and $142.1 million, mainly due to a 7% shipment decline from softer markets and reduced low‑margin business. Specialty materials sales rose to $58.1 million from $53.7 million, helped by the Calca acquisition, but operating profit declined to $12.4 million from $23.2 million on less favorable mix.

Operating cash flow supported $28.0 million in dividends, $125.6 million of share repurchases (over 200,000 shares), and $24.4 million of capital spending. Net debt was $866.5 million, and rolling four‑quarter EBITDA was $709.7 million, resulting in net debt to EBITDA of 1.2.

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Insights

Q1 2026 shows modest earnings softness but continued strong cash returns.

NewMarket delivered Q1 2026 net income of $118.1M and EPS of $12.62, down from $125.9M and $13.26 a year earlier as net sales eased to $669.7M. Profitability remains solid, with gross profit of $220.9M and operating profit of $143.2M.

The core petroleum additives segment saw sales of $609.8M and operating profit of $135.0M, both slightly lower year over year due to a 7% shipment decline tied to softer markets and pruning low‑margin business. Specialty materials benefited from the Calca acquisition in sales but reported lower operating profit from mix at AMPAC, underscoring inherent quarterly volatility.

Cash generation supported dividends of $28.0M, share repurchases of $125.6M, and capex of $24.4M. Net debt of $866.5M against rolling four‑quarter EBITDA of $709.7M yields a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.2, indicating moderate leverage. Future company disclosures may further detail shipment trends and specialty materials margin evolution.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Net income Q1 2026 $118.1M Three months ended March 31, 2026
Earnings per share Q1 2026 $12.62/share Basic and diluted EPS, Q1 2026
Net sales Q1 2026 $669.7M Consolidated net sales, Q1 2026
Petroleum additives operating profit $135.0M Segment operating profit, Q1 2026
Specialty materials operating profit $12.4M Segment operating profit, Q1 2026
Share repurchases $125.6M Repurchases of common stock, Q1 2026
Dividends paid $28.0M Dividends paid to shareholders, Q1 2026
Net Debt to EBITDA 1.2 Net Debt / EBITDA, rolling four quarters to March 31, 2026
segment operating profit financial
"Segment operating profit was $147.4 million for the first quarter of 2026."
Segment operating profit is the profit generated by a specific business unit or division from its normal activities, measured before interest, taxes and often before corporate-level allocations or one-time items. It shows how well a particular part of a company turns sales into operating earnings, helping investors compare which divisions are healthy or efficient — like checking how one store in a chain performs independently of the whole company.
EBITDA financial
"The Company has disclosed the non-GAAP financial measures EBITDA, Net Debt, and Net Debt to EBITDA."
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.
Net Debt to EBITDA financial
"Net Debt to EBITDA is defined as Net Debt divided by EBITDA for the rolling four quarters ended as of the specified date."
Net debt to EBITDA is a financial ratio that compares a company's total debt, minus any cash it has on hand, to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). It indicates how many years it would take for a company to pay off its debt if all its earnings were used for that purpose. Investors use this ratio to assess the company's financial health and its ability to manage and repay its debts over time.
non-GAAP financial measures financial
"The Company has disclosed the non-GAAP financial measures EBITDA, Net Debt, and Net Debt to EBITDA."
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
operating profit margin financial
"Despite the lower shipments, our operating profit margin for the first quarter of 2026 remained strong."
Operating profit margin measures the percentage of a company's revenue that remains after paying the regular costs of running the business (like wages, rent, and materials) but before interest and taxes. It shows how efficiently sales are converted into core profit, so investors can compare operational performance across companies or track trends over time; a higher margin generally means more cushion for downturns and more room to reinvest.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995."
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Offering Type earnings_snapshot
false000128263700012826372026-04-222026-04-22

 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): April 22, 2026
  
NEWMARKET CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Virginia1-3219020-0812170
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
330 South Fourth Street 
Richmond,Virginia 23219
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (804788-5000  
Not applicable
(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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, with no par valueNEUNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (Section 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 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 Condition
On April 22, 2026, NewMarket Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01.     Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1
Press release regarding earnings issued by the Company on April 22, 2026.
Exhibit 104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)




SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 22, 2026
 
NEWMARKET CORPORATION
By:/s/ Timothy K. Fitzgerald
Timothy K. Fitzgerald
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



EXHIBIT 99.1

NewMarket Corporation Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Net Income of $118 million and Earnings per Share of $12.62
Segment Operating Profit of $147 million
Stock repurchases of $126 million

Richmond, VA, April 22, 2026 – NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas E. Gottwald, released the following earnings report of the Company’s operations for the first quarter of 2026.

Net income for the first quarter of 2026 was $118.1 million, or $12.62 per share, compared to net income of $125.9 million, or $13.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2025.

Petroleum additives sales for the first quarter of 2026 were $609.8 million, compared to $645.6 million for the same period in 2025. Petroleum additives operating profit for the first quarter of 2026 was $135.0 million, compared to $142.1 million for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in petroleum additives operating profit was primarily driven by a 7% decline in shipments between quarterly periods due to softness in the market and our strategic decision to examine and reduce low-margin business. The decline in shipments was mainly driven by lower lubricant additives shipments partially offset by an increase in fuel additives shipments. Despite the lower shipments, our operating profit margin for the first quarter of 2026 remained strong as a result of our continued focus on operational efficiency.

Specialty materials sales were $58.1 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $53.7 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase in specialty materials sales is driven by the inclusion of the Calca Solutions, LLC (Calca) business that was acquired on October 1, 2025, partially offset by a shift in product shipment mix at American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC). Specialty materials operating profit was $12.4 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to operating profit of $23.2 million for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in specialty materials operating profit was primarily driven by a shift in quarterly product shipment mix at AMPAC. As previously stated, we expect variation in quarterly results for the specialty materials segment on an ongoing basis due to the nature of its business.

Our operations generated solid cash flows during the first quarter of 2026. We paid dividends of $28.0 million, repurchased over 200 thousand shares of common stock for $125.6 million, and funded capital expenditures of $24.4 million. The cash flows generated by operations enable us to continue to provide value to our shareholders through reinvestment in our businesses for growth and efficiency, acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividends.

We continue to monitor the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, the uncertain macroeconomic environment, and the changes in international trade relations and tariffs. Within petroleum additives, our team has acted rapidly to adjust prices to compensate for the expected escalation of costs for raw materials, utilities and logistics. We have also rebalanced our global production to assist in mitigating regional disruption for our customers, as the environment is dynamically evolving. We believe that these actions, together with positive shipment trends observed at the end of the first quarter of 2026, position us well to continue delivering solid results.

We are pleased with the performance of both our petroleum additives and specialty materials segments during the first quarter of 2026 and we anticipate continued solid results. We will continue to invest in technology to serve our customers, focus on cost control and margin management, and advance our initiatives to build a global manufacturing network that will enable more efficient product delivery to our customers in the years ahead. We are also excited about expanding production in the specialty materials segment to provide more capacity and a stronger supply chain for our customers, and we expect to see that capacity come online towards the end of 2026.




Our dedicated team makes decisions to promote long-term value for our shareholders and customers, and remains focused on our long-term objectives. We believe the fundamentals of how we run our business - a long-term view, safety-first culture, customer-focused solutions, technology-driven product offerings, and world-class supply chain capability - will continue to be beneficial for all our stakeholders.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Gottwald

The petroleum additives segment consists of the North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America (Mexico, Central America, and South America), Asia Pacific, and Europe/Middle East/Africa/India (Europe or EMEAI) regions. The specialty materials segment operates primarily in North America.

The Company has disclosed the non-GAAP financial measures EBITDA, Net Debt, and Net Debt to EBITDA, as well as the related calculations in the schedules included with this earnings release. EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations before the deduction of interest and financing expenses, net, income taxes, depreciation (on property, plant, and equipment) and amortization (on intangible assets and lease right-of-use assets). Net Debt is defined as long-term debt, including current maturities, less cash and cash equivalents. Net Debt to EBITDA is defined as Net Debt divided by EBITDA for the rolling four quarters ended as of the specified date. The Company believes that even though these items are not required by or presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), these additional measures enhance understanding of the Company’s performance and period to period comparability. The Company believes that these items should not be considered an alternative to our results determined under GAAP.

As a reminder, a conference call and webcast is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to review first quarter 2026 financial results. You can access the conference call live by dialing 1-888-506-0062 (domestic) or 1-973-528-0011 (international) and requesting the NewMarket conference call or using the participant access code 293886. To avoid delays, callers should dial in five minutes early. A teleconference replay of the call will be available until Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET by dialing 1-877-481-4010 (domestic) or 1-919-882-2331 (international). The replay passcode is 53812. The call will also be broadcast via the internet and can be accessed through the Company's website at www.NewMarket.com or https://www.webcaster5.com/Webcast/Page/2001/53812. A webcast replay will be available for 30 days.

NewMarket Corporation is a holding company operating through its subsidiaries, Afton Chemical Corporation (Afton), Ethyl Corporation (Ethyl), American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC), and Calca Solutions, LLC (Calca). The Afton and Ethyl companies develop, manufacture, blend, and deliver chemical additives that enhance the performance of petroleum products. AMPAC is a manufacturer of specialty materials primarily used in solid rocket motors for the aerospace and defense industries. Calca is the nation’s leading producer of Ultra Pure and high-purity hydrazine – essential, mission-critical propellants that enable advanced aerospace and defense applications. The NewMarket family of companies has a long-term commitment to its people, to safety, to providing innovative solutions for its customers, and to making the world a better place.

Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the availability of raw materials and distribution systems; disruptions at production facilities, including single-sourced facilities; hazards common to chemical businesses; the ability to respond effectively to technological changes in our industries; failure to protect our intellectual property rights; sudden, sharp, or prolonged raw material price increases; competition from other manufacturers; current and future governmental regulations; the loss of significant customers; termination or changes to contracts with contractors and subcontractors of the U.S. government or directly with the U.S. government; failure to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce; an information technology system failure or



security breach; the occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and health-related epidemics; risks related to operating outside of the United States, including tariffs and trade policy; political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning our products; the impact of substantial indebtedness on our operational and financial flexibility; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; resolution of environmental liabilities or legal proceedings; limitation of our insurance coverage; our inability to realize expected benefits from investment in our infrastructure or from acquisitions, or our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business; the underperformance of our pension assets resulting in additional cash contributions to our pension plans; and other factors detailed from time to time in the reports that NewMarket files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which is available to shareholders at www.newmarket.com.

Any forward-looking statement made by NewMarket in the foregoing discussion speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur.


FOR INVESTOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy K. Fitzgerald
Investor Relations
Phone: 804.788.5555
Email:investorrelations@newmarket.com



NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT RESULTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands, except per-share amounts, unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Net sales:
Petroleum additives$609,818 $645,554 
Specialty materials58,141 53,721 
All other 1,758 1,671 
Total$669,717 $700,946 
Segment operating profit:
Petroleum additives$134,999 $142,107 
Specialty materials12,422 23,187 
Segment operating profit147,421 165,294 
All other(1,110)(481)
Corporate unallocated expense(3,053)(4,886)
Interest and financing expenses(8,771)(10,700)
Other income (expense), net17,167 14,886 
Income before income tax expense$151,654 $164,113 
Net income$118,067 $125,949 
Earnings per share - basic and diluted$12.62 $13.26 









NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per-share amounts, unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Net sales$669,717 $700,946 
Cost of goods sold448,838 464,923 
Gross profit220,879 236,023 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses46,014 42,978 
Research, development, and testing expenses31,636 33,176 
Operating profit143,229 159,869 
Interest and financing expenses, net8,771 10,700 
Other income (expense), net17,196 14,944 
Income before income tax expense151,654 164,113 
Income tax expense33,587 38,164 
Net income$118,067 $125,949 
Earnings per share - basic and diluted$12.62 $13.26 
Cash dividends declared per share$3.00 $2.75 






NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts, unaudited)
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$73,158 $77,598 
Trade and other accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses438,438 422,084 
Inventories494,957 502,257 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets58,217 57,773 
Total current assets1,064,770 1,059,712 
Property, plant, and equipment, net780,618 775,480 
Intangibles (net of amortization) and goodwill932,415 941,156 
Prepaid pension cost594,107 586,053 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net80,480 78,267 
Deferred charges and other assets51,918 51,797 
Total assets$3,504,308 $3,492,465 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$258,710 $238,384 
Accrued expenses94,821 109,774 
Dividends payable24,679 23,805 
Income taxes payable18,426 17,190 
  Operating lease liabilities 16,141 16,205 
Other current liabilities4,478 13,921 
Total current liabilities417,255 419,279 
Long-term debt939,612 883,391 
Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent64,054 62,045 
Other noncurrent liabilities350,837 349,507 
Total liabilities1,771,758 1,714,222 
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock and paid-in capital (with no par value; issued and outstanding shares - 9,198,019 at March 31, 2026 and 9,397,364 at December 31, 2025)
2,386 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 98,491 106,823 
Retained earnings1,634,059 1,669,034 
Total shareholders' equity1,732,550 1,778,243 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$3,504,308 $3,492,465 




NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA
(In thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Net income$118,067 $125,949 
Depreciation and amortization31,662 28,778 
Cash pension and postretirement contributions(2,489)(2,374)
Working capital changes(19,610)(26,590)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)4,917 505 
Capital expenditures(24,357)(13,016)
Proceeds from previous acquisition1,131 
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility106,000 69,000 
Principal payment on 3.78% senior note(50,000)(50,000)
Dividends paid(27,962)(26,057)
Repurchases of common stock(125,566)(57,064)
All other(16,233)(8,354)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(4,440)$40,777 



NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In thousands, unaudited)
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Net Income$118,067 $125,949 
Add:
Interest and financing expenses, net8,771 10,700 
Income tax expense33,587 38,164 
Depreciation and amortization31,330 28,394 
EBITDA$191,755 $203,207 
Net Debt and Net Debt to EBITDA
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Long-term debt$939,612 $883,391 
Less: Cash and cash equivalents73,158 77,598 
Net Debt$866,454 $805,793 
Rolling Four Quarters Ended
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Net Income410,865 $418,747 
Add:
Interest and financing expenses, net37,76439,693
Income tax expense137,238141,815
Depreciation and amortization123,806120,870
EBITDA-Rolling Four Quarters$709,673 $721,125 
Net Debt to EBITDA1.21.1



FAQ

How did NewMarket (NEU) perform financially in Q1 2026?

NewMarket reported net income of $118.1 million in Q1 2026, down from $125.9 million a year earlier. Net sales were $669.7 million versus $700.9 million, with earnings per share of $12.62 compared to $13.26 in Q1 2025.

How did NewMarket’s petroleum additives segment perform in Q1 2026?

Petroleum additives net sales were $609.8 million in Q1 2026, compared with $645.6 million in Q1 2025. Operating profit was $135.0 million versus $142.1 million, reflecting a 7% shipment decline from softer market conditions and reduced low‑margin business.

What were NewMarket’s specialty materials results for Q1 2026?

Specialty materials sales reached $58.1 million in Q1 2026, up from $53.7 million a year earlier, aided by the Calca acquisition. Operating profit declined to $12.4 million from $23.2 million, mainly due to an unfavorable quarterly product mix at AMPAC.

How much cash did NewMarket (NEU) return to shareholders in Q1 2026?

In Q1 2026, NewMarket paid $28.0 million in dividends and repurchased over 200,000 shares of common stock for $125.6 million. These returns were funded by cash flows from operations alongside $24.4 million of capital expenditures.

What is NewMarket’s leverage and EBITDA as of March 31, 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, NewMarket reported Net Debt of $866.5 million and rolling four‑quarter EBITDA of $709.7 million. This results in a Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.2, indicating moderate leverage relative to earnings capacity.

How did NewMarket’s gross and operating profit change in Q1 2026?

Gross profit was $220.9 million in Q1 2026, down from $236.0 million in Q1 2025. Operating profit declined to $143.2 million from $159.9 million as sales softened and specialty materials margins compressed, though overall profitability remained solid.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents