Celanese (CE) Q3 2026 Earnings
Adjusted EPS excludes $109 million of Certain Items, including $87 million of exit and shutdown costs, $12 million of mergers, acquisitions and dispositions costs, and $10 million of legal settlements and commercial disputes. GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.68.
How Did CE Stock React to Q3 2026 Earnings?
Did CE Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results
Yes. Celanese reported Q3 2026 earnings of $1.65 a share on Nov 2, 2026, beating the $1.56 consensus estimate by 5.6%. Revenue was $2.6B against a $2.6B estimate.
Celanese Corp delivered a mixed third-quarter 2026 report, beating profit expectations while falling short on revenue, as pricing power in its Acetyl Chain business drove the headline earnings beat. The specialty chemicals maker posted adjusted EPS of $1.65, ahead of the $1.56 consensus by 5.57%, though revenue of $2.56 billion trailed the $2.62 billion estimate by 2.61% despite growing 5.7% year over year. The Acetyl Chain was the key profit engine, with a 14% year-over-year sales gain fueled entirely by pricing favorability and spot market opportunities, helping offset softer volumes and sequential moderation across the portfolio. On a GAAP basis, net earnings attributable to Celanese were $74.00 million, a sharp recovery from the prior-year quarter, which was burdened by a $1.49 billion goodwill impairment. Management raised its free cash flow outlook to $750 to $800 million for the full year and reaffirmed adjusted EPS guidance of $6.00 to $6.25, even as it flagged expected seasonal softness heading into the fourth quarter.
- Total company price up 10% and volume down 4% year over year
- Acetyl Chain sales up 14% year over year on pricing favorability and incremental spot opportunities
- Engineered Materials growth in medical and electronics drove favorable mix enrichment
- Engineered Materials sales impacted 6 points by the divested Micromax business
- Sequential automotive declines in Engineered Materials
- Productivity and cost-reduction actions
- Working capital timing benefits supported free cash flow of $461 million
“Our third quarter results demonstrate continued progress across Celanese, with strong earnings performance and net sales growth.”
Celanese CEO, on the earnings call
What Is Celanese's Outlook?
Management expects year-end seasonal moderation across both businesses in Q4 2026. It will continue to pursue strategic initiatives, targeted growth areas and cost reduction and productivity programs. Full-year 2026 guidance: - Adjusted EPS of approximately $6.00 to $6.25. - Free cash flow raised to $750–$800 million. - Year-end net debt-to-operating EBITDA of approximately 4.7x. - Adjusted effective tax rate of 8 percent. - More than $1.5 billion of free cash flow generated over 2025–2026. On divestitures, the company expects about $650 million in proceeds by year-end 2026 and about $1 billion by end of 2027. The Nutrinova stake sale is expected to close in Q4 2026. An Investor Event on December 9, 2026 will detail strategy, growth pathways and long-term value creation priorities.
CE YoY Financials
| Metric | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Year over year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $2.6B | $2.4B | +5.7% |
| Gross Profit | $539.0M | $521.0M | +3.5% |
| Operating Income | $198.0M | $91.9M | +115.5% |
| Net Income | $74.0M | $36.0M | +105.5% |
CE Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.