EMN
Basic MaterialsEastman Chemical Company · Chemicals · $8B
What is Eastman Chemical Company?
Eastman Chemical Company is a specialty materials and chemicals business headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, serving industrial, consumer, and agricultural markets across the globe. Its products touch everything from car windshields to food packaging.
Eastman generates revenue across four segments: Additives & Functional Products, Advanced Materials, Chemical Intermediates, and Fibers. The company formulates specialty resins, solvents, films, plasticizers, and cellulose-based materials sold to manufacturers in transportation, construction, agriculture, electronics, and healthcare. Rather than selling commodity chemicals alone, Eastman focuses on value-added specialty formulations that command higher margins than basic petrochemicals — though competitive pressure in several segments limits pricing power.
Eastman Chemical was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Kingsport, US.
- Specialty resins and hydrocarbon additives for coatings and adhesives
- Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheets and window films for automotive and architectural glass
- Cellulosic biopolymers and copolyesters for medical and consumer packaging
- Methylamines, plasticizers, and solvents for industrial processing
- Soil fumigants, fungicides, and plant growth regulators for agriculture
Is EMN a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates EMN as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key dimensions.
Among the five pillars, Valuation stands out as Attractive — suggesting the market may already be pricing in the company's challenges, which could interest value-oriented investors. The Quality pillar registers as Neutral, indicating the business maintains baseline financial stability without standing out among specialty chemical peers.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation, subdued expansion prospects, and above-average financial or operational risk relative to sector peers.
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 EMN pay dividends?
Yes — Eastman Chemical Company pays a dividend.
Eastman Chemical pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among specialty chemical companies still investing heavily in capacity. The dividend signals management's confidence in generating consistent cash flow. Income-focused investors may find this appealing, though the Weak Risk pillar rating warrants attention when assessing dividend sustainability over a full business cycle.
When does EMN report earnings?
Eastman Chemical reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities.
Results have reflected the mixed dynamics of specialty chemicals — volume recovery in some end markets offset by pricing pressure in others. Segment performance has varied, with Advanced Materials generally more resilient than Chemical Intermediates during demand downturns.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Eastman Chemical's investor relations page directly.
EMN Price History
-30.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Eastman Chemical Company?
Based on Eastman Chemical Company'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.
EMN Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar rates Weak, suggesting Eastman's near-term expansion trajectory lags sector peers. The Risk pillar also rates Weak, meaning the fundamental outlook carries meaningful uncertainty — cyclical demand swings, raw material cost volatility, and competitive pricing pressure are all live concerns. The Attractive Valuation pillar indicates the stock may already reflect these risks, but a re-rating would likely require demonstrated improvement in growth or margin stability.
Growth drivers
- Specialty materials demand recovery in automotive and construction end markets
- Circular economy and recycling initiatives expanding addressable markets for cellulosic and copolyester products
- Agricultural chemicals segment benefiting from global food security investment trends
Key risks
- Weak moat leaves pricing power vulnerable to lower-cost competitors
- Raw material and energy cost volatility compressing margins in Chemical Intermediates
- Elevated financial risk profile limiting flexibility during demand downturns
EMN vs Peers
Eastman Chemical operates in a fragmented specialty chemicals landscape alongside peers with distinct business models and geographic footprints.
Sasol is a South Africa-based integrated energy and chemicals company with significant upstream exposure, giving it a different cost structure and commodity risk profile than Eastman.
Element Solutions focuses on specialty chemicals for electronics and industrial applications, competing with Eastman in high-value formulations but with a narrower, more technology-intensive product portfolio.
Axalta specializes in performance coatings for transportation and industrial markets, overlapping with Eastman's additives business while maintaining a more concentrated end-market focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Eastman Chemical do?
Eastman Chemical formulates and sells specialty materials, chemicals, and fibers across four business segments. Its products include resins, films, plasticizers, solvents, and cellulose-based materials used in industries ranging from automotive and construction to agriculture and healthcare.
Does EMN pay dividends?
Yes, Eastman Chemical pays a regular dividend. This makes it one of the income-generating options within the specialty chemicals sector. Investors should weigh the dividend against the company's Weak Risk pillar rating when assessing long-term payout reliability.
When does EMN report earnings?
Eastman Chemical follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check the investor relations section of Eastman's official website.
Is EMN a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates EMN as Below Average, driven by Weak scores in Moat, Growth, and Risk. The Valuation pillar is Attractive, which may interest contrarian or value-oriented investors. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is EMN overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, EMN is rated Attractive — meaning the current price appears to reflect, or potentially discount, the company's fundamental challenges. This does not guarantee upside but suggests the stock is not priced for perfection.
How does EMN compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Sasol, Element Solutions, and Axalta Coating Systems, Eastman competes across a broader range of specialty chemical categories. Its diversification is a structural difference, though the Weak Moat pillar suggests it lacks a dominant competitive position in most of those categories.
What is EMN's market cap bracket?
Eastman Chemical is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range that typically offers more liquidity than small-caps while remaining more nimble than mega-cap chemical conglomerates.
Who founded Eastman Chemical?
Eastman Chemical was spun off from Eastman Kodak in 1993, tracing its roots to the chemical operations Kodak had built over decades. The company's origins in Tennessee reflect the region's long history in industrial manufacturing.
Is EMN a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates EMN Below Average. The Weak Growth and Moat pillars suggest limited structural advantages for compounding over time. Investors seeking long-term quality exposure may find stronger candidates in the [specialty materials sector](/sector/basic-materials).
What is the main competitive advantage of Eastman Chemical?
Eastman's breadth across specialty formulations — from automotive films to agricultural chemicals — provides some diversification benefit. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates Weak, indicating this breadth has not translated into durable pricing power or switching-cost advantages relative to sector peers.
What sector does EMN belong to?
Eastman Chemical belongs to the Basic Materials sector, specifically within specialty chemicals. This sector is sensitive to raw material costs, global industrial demand cycles, and currency fluctuations given Eastman's significant international operations.
Is EMN a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, EMN leans toward value territory — the Valuation pillar is Attractive while the Growth pillar is Weak. This profile is more consistent with a value or turnaround framing than a growth investment thesis.
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Pro Analysis
EMN — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2026 | 41.7 | 40.9 | 26.0 | 35.4 | 34.1 | 85.6 | +3.6 |
| May 10, 2026 | 38.1 | 14.2 | 26.0 | 35.4 | 42.7 | 97.2 | +0.4 |
| May 8, 2026 | 37.7 | 14.2 | 26.0 | 33.9 | 42.7 | 96.6 | -4.7 |
| May 7, 2026 | 42.4 | 42.3 | 26.0 | 33.9 | 36.8 | 86.7 | +0.1 |
| May 4, 2026 | 42.3 | 42.3 | 26.0 | 33.9 | 36.8 | 85.8 | +0.3 |
| May 3, 2026 | 42.0 | 42.3 | 26.0 | 32.9 | 36.8 | 85.5 | -0.4 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 42.4 | 42.3 | 26.0 | 32.9 | 36.8 | 88.2 | +0.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 42.3 | 42.3 | 26.0 | 32.5 | 36.8 | 87.8 | -0.1 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 42.4 | 42.2 | 26.0 | 32.5 | 36.8 | 88.5 | +0.1 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 42.3 | 42.1 | 26.0 | 32.5 | 36.8 | 88.1 | +0.2 |
EMN — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 40.4/100 (25%)Eastman Chemical Company has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 35.4/100 (20%)Eastman Chemical Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 34.1/100 (15%)Eastman Chemical Company presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 84.7/100 (15%)Eastman Chemical Company appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 26/100 (25%)Eastman Chemical Company 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 EMN.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the EMN UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Eastman Chemical Company 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 Eastman Chemical Company'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 Eastman Chemical Company 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.