Stepan Company (SCL)
NYSEMaterialsChemicals - SpecialtySnapshot 2026-11-04
$70.65+2.90%
Close 2026-11-04 · 1-day change
NYSEMaterialsChemicals - SpecialtySnapshot 2026-11-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · SCL
What must go right, what could break, what the price assumes, and what evidence comes next.
The current health of the standing investment case.
Recent financial performance sits below its industry cohort — worth keeping an eye on, though it has not freshly broken.
One-year growth currently built into the price, compared with our model's estimate.
| Measure | Marker shape | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Growth built into the price | circle | 36.8% |
| Our one-year growth estimate | diamond | 10.6% |
For each item: what to watch, what would become a concern, and what would make it less concerning.
A reporting-risk estimate, not a forecast of the stock-price response.
Historical relationships that met the evidence threshold. They do not prove cause or forecast a move.
Usually moved in the same direction.
Price observations: 365 days
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Based on historical daily prices through 2026-11-04.
Past price behavior in dollars on a $10,000 position. This does not measure permanent business risk.
How much price usually moves either way.
A larger daily loss that occurred about once in every 20 trading days.
Use the underlying financial and sector pages to investigate the cause.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Growth built into the price is above our model estimate.
The price assumes 26.2 percentage points more one-year growth.
The one-year revenue growth assumption on Valuation.
Model as of 2026-11-04 · Compared with 25 industry peers · Company calendar date is not available
SCL — dividend update
Dated 2026-10-28
Other Events On October 28, 2026, Stepan issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.405 per share. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2026, to common stockholders of record as of December 1, 2026. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Why it matters: Free cash flow was negative in the first half, then positive by $8.2 million in Q3. The full-year goal is not yet secured.
Supportive ifThe 2026 report shows full-year free cash flow above $0.
Worry ifThe 2026 report shows full-year free cash flow at or below $0.
Why it matters: Management tied its 2026 outlook to adjusted EBITDA growth. Nine-month adjusted EBITDA is up 15% from a year ago.
Supportive ifFull-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA is higher than the 2025 total of $219.6 million.
Worry ifFull-year adjusted EBITDA is $219.6 million or less, below the 2025 total.
Why it matters: Stepan closed the $28.5 million land sale and said all cash proceeds would pay down debt. Repayment is a clear test of that plan.
Supportive ifA company filing or results report confirms $28.5 million in sale proceeds went to repay debt.
Worry ifA company filing or results report shows the sale proceeds were not used to pay down debt.
Why it matters: The sector signal says Materials has been contracting, while recent data hints at a change. Positive growth would support that change.
Watch forThe Materials sector's three-year revenue growth turns above 0%.
Also watch forThe Materials sector's three-year revenue growth stays at or below 0%.
Deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last year.
| Measure | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Typical day | ±$75 on $10,000 · ±0.8% | How much price usually moves either way. |
| Bad day | $232 loss on $10,000 · 2.3% | A larger daily loss that occurred about once in every 20 trading days. |
| Largest peak-to-trough drop in the past year | $3,278 loss on $10,000 · 32.8% | Deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last year. |
Past year. 1.00 means similar movement; 1.20 means about 20% more.
Past year. 1.00 means similar movement to the sector. This is secondary context.
Latest 30 trading days, shown as an annual percentage.
Latest 252 trading days, shown as an annual percentage.
20-trading-day average in US dollars.
Trading days used by the source risk snapshot.
Past results, not a forecast. Not investment advice.