LYB
Basic MaterialsLyondellBasell Industries N.V. · Chemicals · $21B
What is LyondellBasell Industries N.V.?
LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest chemical companies, producing plastics, chemicals, and fuels used across manufacturing, packaging, and construction industries globally. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, it operates across North America, Europe, and Asia.
LyondellBasell generates revenue by producing and selling olefins, polyolefins, and a broad range of intermediate chemicals and derivatives. Its operations span refining crude oil into gasoline and distillates, developing and licensing chemical process technologies, and manufacturing advanced polymer solutions for industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods. The company also produces propylene oxide, oxyfuels, and polyolefin catalysts, serving customers across more than a dozen countries.
LyondellBasell was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
- Polyethylene and polypropylene resins for packaging and industrial use
- Propylene oxide and chemical derivatives
- Advanced polymer compounds and engineered plastics
- Chemical and polyolefin process technology licensing
- Crude oil refining into gasoline and distillates
Is LYB a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates LYB as Poor overall, reflecting broad weakness across the five quality pillars.
Among the five pillars, Valuation comes in at a Neutral rating — meaning the stock is not obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals, which may be of interest to value-oriented investors willing to accept the trade-offs elsewhere.
Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk all register as Weak, indicating that LyondellBasell faces meaningful headwinds in competitive positioning, earnings durability, and balance sheet resilience — challenges common in commodity chemicals but notable in their combined severity here.
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 LYB pay dividends?
Yes — LyondellBasell Industries N.V. pays a dividend.
LyondellBasell pays a regular dividend, which has historically been a draw for income-focused investors in the Basic Materials sector. Commodity chemical companies often return cash to shareholders during periods of strong pricing, though dividend sustainability can be sensitive to cycle downturns. Investors should weigh the income appeal against the Weak Risk pillar profile before relying on the payout.
When does LYB report earnings?
LyondellBasell reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed large-cap equities.
Results in the chemical sector tend to track closely with feedstock costs, global demand for plastics, and refining margins — all of which can shift meaningfully quarter to quarter. LYB's Weak Growth pillar suggests recent performance has not demonstrated a clear upward trajectory.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit LyondellBasell's investor relations page directly.
LYB Price History
-12.7% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in LyondellBasell Industries N.V.?
Based on LyondellBasell Industries N.V.'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.
LYB Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for LyondellBasell is cautious, shaped by Weak ratings across Growth and Risk pillars. Commodity chemical cycles are inherently difficult to time, and the company's broad geographic exposure provides some diversification but does not insulate it from global demand softness. The Neutral Valuation pillar suggests the market has already priced in a degree of difficulty, leaving limited upside unless underlying chemical markets recover meaningfully.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in global polyolefin demand as manufacturing activity stabilizes
- Technology licensing revenues offering a higher-margin, less cyclical income stream
- Potential cost discipline benefits if feedstock prices decline
Key risks
- Persistent weakness in chemical pricing and oversupply in key markets
- Elevated sensitivity to energy and feedstock cost swings given the Weak Risk profile
- Limited competitive differentiation in commodity product lines given the Weak Moat rating
LYB vs Peers
LyondellBasell competes broadly within the Basic Materials and specialty chemicals space alongside companies with varying business models and quality profiles.
Albemarle focuses on lithium and specialty chemicals, giving it exposure to battery materials demand that differs sharply from LYB's commodity polyolefin orientation.
DuPont operates in higher-value specialty materials and electronics-adjacent segments, generally commanding more pricing power than commodity chemical producers like LyondellBasell.
IFF serves food, beverage, and consumer goods markets with proprietary ingredient solutions — a differentiated niche far removed from LYB's bulk plastics and refining operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does LyondellBasell do?
LyondellBasell is a large-scale chemical company that produces polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene oxide, and a range of intermediate chemicals. It also refines crude oil and licenses proprietary chemical process technologies. Its products are used in packaging, automotive parts, construction materials, and consumer goods worldwide.
Does LYB pay dividends?
Yes, LyondellBasell pays a regular dividend. The company has historically prioritized returning cash to shareholders, which is common among large commodity chemical producers. However, given the Weak Risk pillar rating, investors should consider how a chemical cycle downturn could affect the dividend's sustainability over time.
When does LYB report earnings?
LyondellBasell reports earnings on a quarterly basis, in line with standard practice for US-listed large-cap companies. For exact dates and the most recent results, check LyondellBasell's official investor relations page, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming earnings dates.
Is LYB a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates LYB as Poor overall, with Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars. The Neutral Valuation rating suggests the stock is not obviously overpriced, but the broad fundamental weakness warrants careful consideration. Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown to form a more informed view.
Is LYB overvalued?
LYB's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral, meaning the stock does not appear significantly overpriced relative to its fundamentals at current levels. In a sector where commodity cycles drive earnings volatility, Neutral valuation can reflect market caution rather than a clear margin of safety. The full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
How does LYB compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like DuPont and International Flavors & Fragrances, LyondellBasell operates in more commoditized product categories with less pricing power. Albemarle, by contrast, benefits from lithium demand tailwinds. LYB's scale is a relative advantage, but its Weak Moat rating suggests limited structural differentiation versus the broader sector.
What is LYB's market cap bracket?
LyondellBasell is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among the more substantial players in the Basic Materials sector, with the operational scale to serve global customers across multiple chemical and refining segments.
Who founded LyondellBasell?
LyondellBasell was formed through the merger of Lyondell Chemical Company and Basell Polyolefins, with the combined entity incorporated in 2009. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2010 and has since grown into one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies.
Is LYB a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, LYB's Poor UQS Score — driven by Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk — raises questions about durable competitive advantage and earnings resilience over a full market cycle. Commodity chemical businesses can generate strong returns at cycle peaks but tend to struggle during downturns. Pro members can access the full analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of LyondellBasell?
LyondellBasell's primary advantages are its global manufacturing scale and its technology licensing business, which provides royalty income from proprietary polyolefin processes. However, the Weak Moat rating in the UQS framework reflects that much of its core product portfolio competes in commoditized markets where pricing power is limited.
What sector does LYB belong to?
LYB belongs to the Basic Materials sector, specifically within the chemicals industry. This sector is characterized by cyclical earnings, sensitivity to feedstock and energy costs, and global demand dynamics tied to industrial production, construction, and consumer spending.
Is LYB a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, LYB leans toward neither — its Growth pillar is rated Weak, indicating limited near-term earnings expansion, while its Valuation pillar is Neutral rather than clearly Attractive. It may appeal to income-oriented investors given its dividend, but it does not fit a conventional growth or deep-value profile cleanly.
Unlock Full LYB Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View exact scores for all five UQS pillars
- ✓Access complete financial metrics and trend data
- ✓Compare LYB against sector peers side by side
- ✓Screen for stronger-rated Basic Materials alternatives
- ✓Get the full analyst-style quality breakdown in one view
Pro Analysis
LYB — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2026 | 28.3 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 34.4 | 17.8 | 58.0 | -0.1 |
| Jun 6, 2026 | 28.4 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.1 | 17.8 | 57.6 | +0.1 |
| Jun 5, 2026 | 28.3 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.1 | 17.8 | 56.9 | +0.1 |
| Jun 3, 2026 | 28.2 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.1 | 17.8 | 56.4 | 0.0 |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 28.2 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.1 | 17.8 | 56.5 | 0.0 |
| May 31, 2026 | 28.2 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.1 | 17.8 | 56.7 | -0.1 |
| May 30, 2026 | 28.3 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.3 | 17.8 | 56.7 | +0.1 |
| May 29, 2026 | 28.2 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.3 | 17.8 | 56.0 | 0.0 |
| May 28, 2026 | 28.2 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.3 | 17.8 | 56.3 | +0.1 |
| May 27, 2026 | 28.1 | 21.1 | 19.0 | 35.3 | 17.8 | 55.7 | 0.0 |
LYB — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 21.1/100 (25%)LyondellBasell Industries N.V. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
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
— 34.4/100 (20%)LyondellBasell Industries N.V. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
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
— 17.8/100 (15%)LyondellBasell Industries N.V. 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
— 58.0/100 (15%)LyondellBasell Industries N.V. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
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
— 19/100 (25%)LyondellBasell Industries N.V. 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 LYB.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the LYB UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for LyondellBasell Industries N.V. 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 LyondellBasell Industries N.V.'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 LyondellBasell Industries N.V. 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.