Zacks Investment Research·2d ago
Best Momentum Stock to Buy for September 30thSCL and ACIU made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) momentum stocks list on September 30, 2026.
Stepan Co is experiencing a volume-led recovery, with revenue growing 15.0% year-over-year in 2026Q2, the strongest quarter in the dataset. However, the gross margin of 14.6% remains below the 15% threshold and net margin of 3.3% is thin, suggesting the improv...
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Trailing total returns as of 10/3/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2026Latest Jul 29, 2026 | $1.18+93.4% vs $0.61 | $684M+7.6% vs $636M |
Q2 2026 Apr 28, 2026 | $0.45+16.9% vs $0.39 | $605M-1.3% vs $612M |
Q1 2026 Feb 23, 2026 | -$0.02-105.7% vs $0.35 | $554M-2.9% vs $571M |
Q4 2025 Oct 29, 2025 | $0.48+33.3% vs $0.36 | $590M+3.4% vs $571M |
SCL and ACIU made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) momentum stocks list on September 30, 2026.
MSGM, GTN, HLIO, EMBJ and SCL have been added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List on September 30, 2026.
Stepan Company is regaining momentum, with strong margin recovery and robust volume and pricing growth across core segments. SCL's pass-through mechanisms and Project Catalyst cost savings are driving significant EBIT and net income improvements despite volatile feedstock costs. North American sales, particularly in surfactants and polymers for data center construction, are outpacing global growth and expanding SCL's market share.
Dividend Kings are underperforming SPY in September, with a -4.22% average return versus SPY's marginal gain. Despite aggregate weakness, 29 Dividend Kings appear both undervalued and offer a long-term expected return of at least 10%. Recent dividend increases and higher projected earnings growth have modestly improved the Kings' average dividend growth rate to 4.49%.
Benchmark SCL against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for Stepan Co (SCL)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $61.53 | $1.4B | 30.01 | 6.96% | 2.01% | 3.89% | 2.49% | |
| $95.17 | $2.34B | 20.38 | -3.65% | 6.6% | 9.1% | — | |
| $163.69 | $5.26B | 34.46 | 8.75% | 15.14% | 12.79% | — | |
| $127.19 | $2.66B | 32.53 | 11.21% | 7.29% | 15.3% | — | |
| $15.98 | $430.81M | 8.88 | 0.31% | -1.14% | -2.2% | — | |
| $158.39 | $2.75B | -1131.36 | 2.66% | 4.94% | 7.1% | — |
Stepan Co (SCL) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
Stepan Co (SCL) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Jul 29, 2026·SEC
Apr 30, 2026·SEC
Apr 28, 2026·SEC
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Stepan Co (SCL) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Stepan Co (SCL) reported $2.43B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 353% increase from $536.6M in 1996.
Stepan Co (SCL) grew revenue by 7.0% over the past year. This is steady growth.
Stepan Co (SCL) reported a net loss of $2.7M for fiscal year 2025.
Yes, Stepan Co (SCL) pays a dividend with a yield of 2.49%. This makes it attractive for income-focused investors.
Stepan Co (SCL) has a return on equity (ROE) of 3.9%. This is below average, suggesting room for improvement.
Stepan Co (SCL) had negative free cash flow of $33.8M in fiscal year 2025, likely due to heavy capital investments.
