Companies /Basic Materials

Celanese Corp - Series A

NYSE: CE Chemicals
$45.20
▼ $1.46 (−3.13%) today
Markets closed · 11:11pm ET

Q2 2025 Earnings

Reported Aug 11, 2025, 4:16pm ET · SEC source
$1.44
Beat +2.82%
EPS · est. $1.40
$2.5B
Beat +1.89%
Revenue · est. $2.5B
+8.3%
Beating market
CE vs S&P since report
1 quarter
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−7%0+7%Aug 11Aug 12report 4:16pm ETearnings+1.2%−3.1%
−7%0+7%Aug 11Aug 12earnings+1.2%−3.1%
CE −3.1%S&P 500 +1.2%
−7%0+7%Aug 11Aug 12report 4:16pm ETearnings+1.5%−3.1%
−7%0+7%Aug 11Aug 12earnings+1.5%−3.1%
CE −3.1%NASDAQ +1.5%
−7%0+7%+14%Aug 11Aug 19report 4:16pm ETearnings+0.7%+9.8%
−7%0+7%+14%Aug 11Aug 19earnings+0.7%+9.8%
CE +9.8%S&P 500 +0.7%
−7%0+7%+14%Aug 11Aug 19report 4:16pm ETearnings−0.6%+9.8%
−7%0+7%+14%Aug 11Aug 19earnings−0.6%+9.8%
CE +9.8%NASDAQ −0.6%
−13.07%
Day of report
+1.41%
Next session
+9.75%
One week
+10.63%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +2.29%.

Did CE Beat Earnings? Q2 2025 Results

Celanese posted a modest but meaningful beat in Q2 2025, delivering adjusted EPS of $1.44 against the $1.40 consensus estimate, a 2.82% beat, while revenue of $2.53 billion edged past the $2.49 billion expected figure by 1.89%, even as sales fell 4.5% year over year amid persistently weak demand. The standout driver of the quarter was a dramatic swing in free cash flow to $311 million, up sharply from negative $73 million in Q1, fueled by sequential earnings recovery and inventory reduction in the Engineered Materials segment. Management deployed that cash decisively, fully repaying a $200 million term loan and retiring an additional $150 million in debt, while also securing a new $1.75 billion revolving credit facility extending liquidity through 2030. Despite the sequential improvement, shares fell sharply following results as investors focused on a weakening order book, particularly in Europe and China. Looking ahead, Celanese guided Q3 adjusted EPS to a range of $1.10 to $1.40, with full-year free cash flow guidance reiterated at $700 million to $800 million.

Key Takeaways
  • Sequential volume increase of 4% and currency benefit of 3% drove 6% revenue growth quarter-over-quarter
  • Engineered Materials volume up 9% sequentially due to easing of European automotive destocking
  • Favorable product mix from High Impact Programs (HIPs) emphasizing specialty product offerings
  • Free cash flow of $311 million driven by sequential earnings improvement and inventory reduction
  • Cost reduction and operational optimization actions at low-cost U.S. assets

“Since the start of 2025, we have been clear that cash generation is our number one priority, and I want to thank our teams for their focus and dedication in helping us achieve over $300 million of free cash flow in the quarter.”

Celanese CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Celanese expects a softening demand environment across most key end-markets in the second half of 2025. The company anticipates slowing demand will partially offset cost reduction benefits expected in Q3. An approximate $25 million negative sequential impact to earnings is expected from ongoing inventory reduction efforts. Q3 2025 adjusted EPS is guided at $1.10 to $1.40. Full-year 2025 free cash flow guidance is reiterated at $700 to $800 million. Order books are developing at a slower pace compared to Q2, particularly in Europe and China, and have continued to weaken into early Q3.

CE YoY Financials

Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024 · SEC filings Q2 2024 Q2 2025
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4B$2.7B$2.5BRevenue$641.0M$535.0MGross Profit$250.0M$233.0MOperating Income$155.0M$199.0MNet Income
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4BRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

CE Revenue by Segment

Engineered Materials$1.4B
Acetyl Chain$1.1B

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.