LYB
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$23.04B
5Y Perf.+12.1%
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Stock Comparison
LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WLK
Westlake Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$12.47B
5Y Perf.+104.2%
DOW
Dow Inc.
Chemicals
Market Cap$26.86B
5Y Perf.-3.3%
OLN
Olin Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.05B
5Y Perf.+122.4%
CE
Celanese Corporation
Chemicals
Market Cap$6.54B
5Y Perf.-35.1%
LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LYB | WLK | DOW | OLN | CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals |
| Market Cap | $23.04B | $12.47B | $26.86B | $3.05B | $6.54B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $22.48B | $10.98B | $39.33B | $6.72B | $9.49B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-774M | $-1.64B | $-2.76B | $-127M | $-1.02B |
| Gross Margin | -19.3% | 1.5% | 6.2% | 5.3% | 20.1% |
| Operating Margin | -0.9% | -15.5% | -2.3% | -1.6% | -7.4% |
| Forward P/E | 9.9x | 26.1x | 12.6x | — | 10.4x |
| Total Debt | $15.96B | $6.44B | $19.60B | $3.39B | $12.93B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3.45B | $2.72B | $3.82B | $168M | $1.26B |
LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LYB
WLK
DOW
OLN
CE
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LyondellBasell Indu… (LYB) | 100 | 112.1 | +12.1% |
| Westlake Corporation (WLK) | 100 | 204.2 | +104.2% |
| Dow Inc. (DOW) | 100 | 96.7 | -3.3% |
| Olin Corporation (OLN) | 100 | 222.4 | +122.4% |
| Celanese Corporation (CE) | 100 | 64.9 | -35.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LYB and OLN are tied at the top with 3 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Olin Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. DOW also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LYB
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
The Income Pick
LYB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.38, yield 7.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.38, current ratio 1.77x
- Beta 0.38, yield 7.7%, current ratio 1.77x
- Better valuation composite
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
WLK
Westlake Corporation
The Long-Run Compounder
WLK is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 142.4% 10Y total return vs LYB's 48.6%
Best for: long-term compounding
DOW
Dow Inc.
The Momentum Pick
DOW ranks third and is worth considering specifically for momentum.
- +37.3% vs CE's +20.8%
Best for: momentum
OLN
Olin Corporation
The Growth Play
OLN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 3.7%, EPS growth -140.7%, 3Y rev CAGR -10.2%
- 3.7% revenue growth vs LYB's -25.2%
- -1.9% margin vs WLK's -14.9%
- -1.7% ROA vs WLK's -8.2%, ROIC 1.7% vs -9.0%
Best for: growth exposure
CE
Celanese Corporation
The Value Angle
Among these 5 stocks, CE doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: basic materials exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | OLN | 3.7% revenue growth vs LYB's -25.2% |
| Value | LYB | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | OLN | -1.9% margin vs WLK's -14.9% |
| Stability / Safety | LYB | Beta 0.38 vs OLN's 1.47, lower leverage |
| Dividends | LYB | 7.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs WLK's 2.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | DOW | +37.3% vs CE's +20.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | OLN | -1.7% ROA vs WLK's -8.2%, ROIC 1.7% vs -9.0% |
LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLOLNLAGGINGDOW
Who Leads Where
OLN leads in 2 of 6 categories
CE leads 1 • LYB leads 1 • WLK leads 0 • DOW leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓DOWDow Inc.
0leads
WLKWestlake Corporation
0leads
CECelanese Corporation
1leads
LYBLyondellBasell Indust…
1leads
OLNOlin Corporation
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LYBvs CEMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CE3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
OLN3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
OLN6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LYB3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CE leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DOW is the larger business by revenue, generating $39.3B annually — 5.9x OLN's $6.7B. OLN is the more profitable business, keeping -1.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WLK's -14.9%. On growth, CE holds the edge at -2.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $22.5B | $11.0B | $39.3B | $6.7B | $9.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $865M | -$462M | $1.3B | $284M | $58M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$774M | -$1.6B | -$2.8B | -$127M | -$1.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.1B | -$508M | -$2.0B | $352M | $944M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -19.3% | +1.5% | +6.2% | +5.3% | +20.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.9% | -15.5% | -2.3% | -1.6% | -7.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.4% | -14.9% | -7.0% | -1.9% | -10.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | -4.6% | -5.1% | +5.2% | +9.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | -6.8% | -6.1% | -3.7% | -2.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | -3.2% | -68.2% | -61.8% | +3.1% |
CE leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
OLN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, OLN's 9.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LYB's 33.4x.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $23.0B | $12.5B | $26.9B | $3.0B | $6.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $35.5B | $16.2B | $42.6B | $6.3B | $18.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -30.43x | -8.30x | -10.11x | -72.32x | -5.49x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.92x | 26.08x | 12.62x | — | 10.45x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 33.44x | — | 13.78x | 9.88x | 12.06x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.76x | 1.12x | 0.67x | 0.45x | 0.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.26x | 1.35x | 1.52x | 1.59x | 1.43x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 59.99x | — | — | 12.29x | 8.14x |
OLN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
OLN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
OLN delivers a -6.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-7 in annual profit, vs $-22 for CE. WLK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.69x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CE's 2.89x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), OLN scores 5/9 vs DOW's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -7.2% | -16.8% | -15.4% | -6.6% | -21.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -3.0% | -8.2% | -4.6% | -1.7% | -4.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.1% | -9.0% | +0.6% | +1.7% | +3.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.1% | -8.8% | +0.5% | +1.9% | +4.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.56x | 0.69x | 1.12x | 1.76x | 2.89x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $12.5B | $3.7B | $15.8B | $3.2B | $11.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3.4B | $2.7B | $3.8B | $168M | $1.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $16.0B | $6.4B | $19.6B | $3.4B | $12.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.42x | -24.17x | -1.51x | 0.66x | -0.57x |
OLN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LYB leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WLK five years ago would be worth $10,229 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,049 for CE. Over the past 12 months, DOW leads with a +37.3% total return vs CE's +20.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LYB at -1.9% vs OLN's -19.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +62.6% | +32.0% | +55.2% | +25.1% | +38.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +37.2% | +27.6% | +37.3% | +35.2% | +20.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.5% | -12.8% | -17.5% | -46.8% | -40.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -11.3% | +2.3% | -27.2% | -33.9% | -59.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +48.6% | +142.4% | +12.2% | +61.0% | +13.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -1.9% | -4.5% | -6.2% | -19.0% | -16.0% |
LYB leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LYB and OLN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LYB is the less volatile stock with a 0.38 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than OLN's 1.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. OLN currently trades 87.8% from its 52-week high vs WLK's 78.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.38x | 1.06x | 0.76x | 1.47x | 1.11x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $83.94 | $124.23 | $42.74 | $30.46 | $70.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $41.58 | $56.33 | $20.40 | $18.08 | $35.13 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.2% | +78.4% | +87.3% | +87.8% | +82.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.9 | 32.2 | 48.9 | 58.6 | 45.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 8.1M | 1.2M | 14.4M | 2.7M | 2.4M |
Evenly matched — LYB and OLN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — LYB and WLK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: LYB as "Hold", WLK as "Hold", DOW as "Hold", OLN as "Hold", CE as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 12.0% upside for CE (target: $65) vs -9.1% for OLN (target: $24). For income investors, LYB offers the higher dividend yield at 7.66% vs CE's 0.20%.
| Metric | LYBLyondellBasell In… | WLKWestlake Corporat… | DOWDow Inc. | OLNOlin Corporation | CECelanese Corporat… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $73.60 | $101.88 | $39.55 | $24.33 | $65.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 39 | 32 | 35 | 35 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +7.7% | +2.2% | +5.6% | +3.0% | +0.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $5.48 | $2.11 | $2.09 | $0.80 | $0.12 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.9% | +0.5% | 0.0% | +1.7% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — LYB and WLK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
OLN leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). CE leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
Best OverallOlin Corporation (OLN)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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LYB vs WLK vs DOW vs OLN vs CE: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Olin Corporation (OLN) is the stronger pick with 3.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). Analysts rate LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB) a "Hold" — based on 39 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE?
Over the past 5 years, Westlake Corporation (WLK) delivered a total return of +2.
3%, compared to -59. 5% for Celanese Corporation (CE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WLK returned +142. 4% versus DOW's +12. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LyondellBasell Industries N.
V. (LYB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 38β versus Olin Corporation's 1. 47β — meaning OLN is approximately 287% more volatile than LYB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Westlake Corporation (WLK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 69% versus 3% for Celanese Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Olin Corporation (OLN) is pulling ahead at 3.
7% versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Celanese Corporation grew EPS 23. 6% year-over-year, compared to -352. 8% for Westlake Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CE leads at -0. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE?
Olin Corporation (OLN) is the more profitable company, earning -0.
6% net margin versus -13. 5% for Westlake Corporation — meaning it keeps -0. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CE leads at 8. 0% versus -14. 1% for WLK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CE leads at 18. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, LyondellBasell Industries N.
V. (LYB) trades at 9. 9x forward P/E versus 26. 1x for Westlake Corporation — 16. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CE: 12. 0% to $65. 40.
07Which pays a better dividend — LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB) offers the highest yield at 7. 7%, versus 0. 2% for Celanese Corporation (CE).
08Is LYB or WLK or DOW or OLN or CE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, LyondellBasell Industries N.
V. (LYB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 38), 7. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LYB: +48. 6%, CE: +13. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between LYB and WLK and DOW and OLN and CE?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: LYB is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; WLK is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; DOW is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; OLN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CE is a small-cap quality compounder stock. LYB, WLK, DOW, OLN pay a dividend while CE does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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