BASFY

Basic Materials

BASF Se · Chemicals · $52B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
44.2
Below Average

BASF Se scores 44.2/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Basic Materials Sector
BASFY
44.2
Sector avg
38.2
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Good

What is BASF Se?

BASF SE is one of the world's largest chemical companies, serving industries from agriculture to automotive. Headquartered in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany, it operates across six distinct business segments with a global customer base.

BASF generates revenue by producing and selling chemicals, advanced materials, and specialty solutions across a broad range of end markets. Its six segments — Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions — each serve distinct industries. The company earns income through both commodity-oriented chemical production and higher-value specialty products, including crop protection, coatings, and battery materials, giving it diversified but cyclically sensitive revenue streams.

BASF SE was established in its current form in 1996 and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.

  • Petrochemicals and chemical intermediates for industrial use
  • Advanced materials including isocyanates and polyamides
  • Coatings, catalysts, and surface treatment solutions for automotive
  • Crop protection products including fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides
  • Nutrition and care ingredients for food, pharma, and cosmetics

Is BASFY a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates BASFY as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges across several key pillars.

The Valuation pillar stands out as a relative bright spot, suggesting the market may already be pricing in much of the company's difficulties. The Growth and Risk pillars both register as Neutral, indicating neither a sharp deterioration nor a compelling recovery signal at this stage.

Both the Quality and Moat pillars score as Weak, pointing to concerns around returns on capital and the durability of BASF's competitive position relative to peers in the basic materials sector.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does BASFY pay dividends?

Yes — BASF Se pays a dividend.

BASF SE pays a regular dividend, which has historically been a meaningful part of its investment case for income-oriented shareholders. As a large European industrial company, BASF has maintained a consistent dividend cadence. Investors should note that dividends from foreign-listed ADRs like BASFY may be subject to withholding taxes and currency effects. Always verify current dividend details on BASF's investor relations page.

When does BASFY report earnings?

BASF SE reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with its obligations as a major internationally listed company.

BASF's recent results have reflected the challenging environment facing the broader basic materials sector, including cost pressures and softer demand in key end markets. The company's diversified segment structure provides some buffer, though cyclical headwinds have weighed on overall performance.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit BASF SE's official investor relations page.

BASFY Price History

-8.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in BASF Se?

$
Today it would be worth
$9,054
That's a -9.5% total return, or -2.0% annualized.

Based on BASF Se's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

BASFY Long-term Outlook

The fundamental outlook for BASFY is cautious. With Growth rated Neutral, there is no strong signal of near-term acceleration, while the Weak Quality and Moat ratings suggest structural headwinds that may limit upside even if sector conditions improve. The Neutral Risk rating indicates the company is not in acute financial distress, but the path to meaningful improvement in underlying business quality remains uncertain. The relatively Good Valuation label may offer some downside cushion for patient investors.

Growth drivers

  • Recovery in global industrial and automotive demand supporting chemicals volumes
  • Expansion in battery materials through strategic partnerships in the energy transition
  • Agricultural Solutions segment benefiting from global food security investment trends

Key risks

  • Weak competitive moat leaving BASF exposed to pricing pressure from global rivals
  • Energy cost sensitivity in Europe weighing on chemical production economics
  • Cyclical demand swings across multiple end markets amplifying earnings volatility

BASFY vs Peers

BASF SE competes with a range of global and specialty chemical producers, each with a distinct business mix and geographic focus.

DOWBASFY scores higher
Dow Inc.

Dow is a US-based materials science company with a strong focus on packaging and infrastructure chemicals, offering a more concentrated portfolio than BASF's diversified six-segment structure.

CEBASFY scores higher
Celanese Corporation

Celanese specializes in engineered materials and acetyl chain chemistry, competing with BASF primarily in high-performance polymers and specialty chemical applications.

MX.TOSimilar UQS
Methanex Corporation

Methanex is the world's largest methanol producer, overlapping with BASF in petrochemical feedstocks but operating a far more concentrated, commodity-driven business model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BASF SE do?

BASF SE is a global chemical company operating across six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. It serves industries ranging from automotive and agriculture to food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, producing both commodity chemicals and specialty solutions.

Does BASFY pay dividends?

Yes, BASF SE pays a regular dividend and has historically maintained a consistent payout as part of its shareholder return policy. Investors holding BASFY as an ADR should be aware of potential foreign withholding taxes and currency conversion effects. Check BASF's investor relations page for the latest dividend details.

When does BASFY report earnings?

BASF SE reports earnings on a quarterly cadence. For precise dates of upcoming earnings releases, refer to BASF's official investor relations page, where the financial calendar is kept current.

Is BASFY a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates BASFY as Below Average, driven by Weak Quality and Moat pillar ratings. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, which may appeal to value-oriented investors, but structural concerns around competitive positioning and returns on capital are worth weighing carefully before investing.

Is BASFY overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, BASFY is currently rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear overvalued relative to its fundamentals. However, a favorable valuation alone does not offset the Weak Quality and Moat signals. The full valuation breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

How does BASFY compare to its competitors?

BASF competes with companies like Dow Inc., Celanese, and Methanex across various chemical sub-sectors. BASF's breadth across six segments differentiates it from more focused peers, but that diversification has not translated into a strong competitive moat rating under the UQS framework. See the competitor comparison section for more context.

What is BASFY's market cap bracket?

BASFY is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting BASF SE's scale as one of the world's largest chemical companies by revenue and global footprint.

Who founded BASF SE?

BASF was originally founded in 1865 as Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik in Mannheim, Germany. The company has undergone significant restructuring over its long history. The current legal entity, BASF SE, was established in 1996. Full founding history is widely available through public sources.

Is BASFY a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, BASFY's UQS profile raises caution. The Weak Quality and Moat ratings suggest the business has not demonstrated the durable competitive advantages or strong capital returns typically associated with high-quality long-term holdings. The Neutral Growth and Risk ratings indicate stability without a clear improvement catalyst.

What is the main competitive advantage of BASF SE?

BASF's primary competitive strengths lie in its global scale, integrated production network, and diversification across chemical end markets. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates these advantages as Weak relative to sector peers, suggesting that scale alone has not produced a clearly defensible competitive position in the current environment.

What sector does BASFY belong to?

BASFY belongs to the Basic Materials sector, which encompasses companies involved in the extraction, processing, and distribution of raw materials and chemicals. This sector is inherently cyclical, with performance closely tied to global industrial activity, energy costs, and commodity pricing.

Is BASFY a growth stock or value stock?

Based on the UQS pillar profile, BASFY leans toward the value category. The Valuation pillar is rated Good while the Growth pillar is only Neutral, suggesting the stock is not priced for high growth expectations. Investors drawn to BASFY are more likely seeking income and valuation support than rapid earnings expansion.

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Pro Analysis

BASFY — Score History

3540455055Apr 5Apr 15Apr 25May 5May 15May 24v5
Score changes· 30/33 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202644.232.034.056.346.063.70.0
May 22, 202644.232.034.056.346.063.40.0
May 21, 202644.232.034.056.346.063.30.0
May 20, 202644.232.034.056.346.063.80.0
May 18, 202644.232.034.055.946.064.20.0
May 16, 202644.232.034.055.846.064.20.0
May 14, 202644.232.034.055.846.064.4-0.2
May 11, 202644.432.334.055.846.064.8+0.2
May 10, 202644.226.834.055.846.073.2-0.2
May 8, 202644.432.534.055.846.064.9+0.3

BASFY — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

32.0/100 (25%)

BASF Se currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsModerate

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationModerate

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

56.3/100 (20%)

BASF Se demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

46.0/100 (15%)

BASF Se has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

63.7/100 (15%)

BASF Se trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowWeak

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

34/100 (25%)

BASF Se operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for BASFY.

Score Composition

Quality
32.0×25%8.0
Growth
56.3×20%11.3
Risk
46.0×15%6.9
Valuation
63.7×15%9.6
Moat
34.0×25%8.5
Total
44.2Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the BASFY UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for BASF Se is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses BASF Se's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether BASF Se is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.