SQM
Basic MaterialsSociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. · Chemicals - Specialty · $23B
What is Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.?
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. is a large-cap Chilean producer of lithium, iodine, specialty fertilizers, and industrial chemicals. Headquartered in Santiago, the company supplies critical materials to global industries ranging from electric vehicle batteries to agriculture.
SQM extracts and processes mineral resources from Chile's Atacama Desert and other deposits, selling specialty products across multiple end markets. Revenue comes from lithium and its derivatives, iodine compounds, specialty plant nutrients, potassium salts, and industrial chemicals. Customers span battery manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural producers, and industrial processors worldwide. The company's vertically integrated operations — from extraction through distribution — allow it to serve diverse sectors under a single corporate structure.
SQM was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Santiago de Chile.
- Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for battery cathodes and industrial uses
- Iodine derivatives for medical imaging, pharmaceuticals, and electronics
- Specialty plant nutrients including potassium and sodium nitrates
- Potassium chloride and sulfate for crop nutrition
- Industrial chemicals and solar salts for manufacturing processes
Is SQM a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SQM as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed profile across its five quality pillars.
SQM's Growth and Risk pillars both carry Good ratings, suggesting the company has demonstrated meaningful expansion potential while maintaining a manageable risk profile relative to sector peers. These two pillars anchor the overall score and reflect the structural demand tailwinds behind lithium and specialty nutrients.
The Moat pillar registers as Weak, indicating limited durable competitive advantages compared to global peers — a meaningful consideration for long-term holders. Quality and Valuation both sit at Neutral, suggesting neither a standout balance sheet nor a clearly discounted entry point.
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 SQM pay dividends?
Yes — Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. pays a dividend.
SQM pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among commodity-linked producers that often prioritize reinvestment. The dividend reflects the company's ability to generate cash from its diversified mineral operations. Payout levels can fluctuate with commodity prices, so income-focused investors should monitor earnings cycles alongside the dividend history available on SQM's investor relations page.
When does SQM report earnings?
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities trading as ADRs.
SQM's results have been closely tied to lithium price cycles, which have seen significant volatility in recent years. The company's diversified product mix — spanning iodine, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals — provides some buffer when any single commodity faces pricing pressure.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Sociedad Química y Minera's official investor relations page.
SQM Price History
+147.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.?
Based on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.'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.
SQM Long-term Outlook
SQM's Good Growth pillar rating points to meaningful demand drivers ahead, particularly from the global energy transition and continued electrification of transportation. However, the Weak Moat rating introduces uncertainty about whether the company can sustain pricing power as lithium supply expands globally. The Good Risk rating suggests the balance sheet and operational structure are reasonably positioned to weather commodity cycles, though the Neutral Valuation label indicates the market has already priced in a fair portion of the growth narrative.
Growth drivers
- Structural demand growth for lithium from EV battery manufacturers worldwide
- Expanding iodine applications in medical imaging and LCD display technology
- Rising global food demand supporting specialty fertilizer volumes
Key risks
- Lithium oversupply risk as new global producers come online
- Commodity price volatility compressing margins across multiple product lines
- Regulatory and royalty changes in Chile affecting extraction economics
SQM vs Peers
SQM competes across specialty chemicals and lithium markets alongside several large-cap peers with distinct business focuses.
Albemarle is SQM's most direct lithium rival, with significant brine and hard-rock operations across multiple continents.
PPG focuses on coatings and specialty materials rather than mineral extraction, representing a different segment of the broader chemicals space.
LyondellBasell operates in petrochemical and polymer production, overlapping with SQM only in the broader basic materials sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile do?
SQM produces and sells lithium compounds, iodine derivatives, specialty plant nutrients, potassium salts, and industrial chemicals. Its products serve electric vehicle battery manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural producers, and industrial processors globally. The company extracts raw materials primarily from Chile's Atacama region.
Does SQM pay dividends?
Yes, SQM pays a regular dividend. The payout is linked to the company's earnings, which can vary with commodity prices — particularly lithium. Investors should review the current dividend schedule on SQM's investor relations page for the most up-to-date information.
When does SQM report earnings?
SQM reports on a quarterly cadence as a US-listed ADR. Exact dates vary each quarter. For the most current earnings schedule and recent results, check Sociedad Química y Minera's official investor relations page.
Is SQM a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SQM as Good overall. The Growth and Risk pillars are both rated Good, while the Moat pillar is rated Weak and Quality and Valuation are Neutral. Whether SQM fits a portfolio depends on an investor's view of lithium demand and commodity cycles. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is SQM overvalued?
SQM's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral by UQS Score, suggesting the market price reflects a broadly fair assessment of the company's fundamentals — neither deeply discounted nor significantly stretched relative to its quality profile. Pro members can view the complete valuation metrics behind this rating.
How does SQM compare to its competitors?
Among its closest peers, Albemarle is SQM's most direct lithium competitor. SQM's diversified product mix — spanning iodine, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals — differentiates it from pure-play lithium producers. However, its Weak Moat rating suggests limited structural advantages over global rivals in any single product category.
What is SQM's market cap bracket?
SQM is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among the larger publicly traded firms in the basic materials sector, with meaningful scale across multiple product lines and geographies.
Who founded Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile?
SQM was established in 1993, though its roots trace to earlier state-owned mining operations in Chile. Detailed founding history and corporate background are publicly available through the company's official communications and investor relations materials.
Is SQM a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, SQM's Good overall UQS Score reflects meaningful strengths in Growth and Risk, tempered by a Weak Moat and Neutral Quality rating. Long-term holders should weigh the structural demand for lithium against the competitive and regulatory risks inherent in commodity extraction. Full analysis is available to Pro members.
What is the main competitive advantage of Sociedad Química y Minera?
SQM's primary advantage lies in its access to the Atacama Desert's lithium brine deposits, among the richest and lowest-cost sources globally. Its diversified product portfolio across lithium, iodine, and fertilizers also reduces dependence on any single commodity. However, UQS rates the Moat pillar as Weak, reflecting growing competitive pressure.
What sector does SQM belong to?
SQM operates in the Basic Materials sector. Within that sector, it spans specialty chemicals, lithium production, and agricultural nutrients — making it one of the more diversified companies in the space. Explore other [top Basic Materials stocks](/sector/basic-materials) rated by UQS Score.
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Pro Analysis
SQM — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 51.7 | 53.2 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 50.0 | +2.7 |
| May 10, 2026 | 49.0 | 33.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 45.3 | 81.5 | 0.0 |
| May 8, 2026 | 49.0 | 33.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 45.3 | 82.0 | -2.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 51.1 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 46.2 | +0.1 |
| May 4, 2026 | 51.0 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 45.8 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 51.1 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 46.6 | -0.3 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 51.4 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 48.7 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 51.4 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 48.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 51.5 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 49.2 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 51.5 | 53.1 | 34.0 | 65.9 | 61.2 | 49.0 | -0.1 |
SQM — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 53.2/100 (25%)Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. 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
— 65.9/100 (20%)Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
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
— 61.2/100 (15%)Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
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
— 50.0/100 (15%)Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
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
— 34/100 (25%)Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. 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 SQM.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the SQM UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. 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 Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.'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 Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. 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.