LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB) received a new Equal-Weight rating from Michael Sison at Wells Fargo on December 19, 2025. This adjusted recommendation reflects a potential upside for investors despite recent volatility, with an average price target of $55—a noteworthy premium above its current trading price of $43.76.
Recent Price Action
In the weeks leading up to this rating change, LYB has seen some fluctuations typical of a stock navigating a turbulent market. As of the last trading session, LYB closed at $43.76, up by 0.29 or 0.67% for the day. The company’s market capitalization stands at approximately $13.95 billion, and its stock has experienced a 52-week range between $5.24 at its lowest and $44.88 at its peak. The stock has been less volatile than its peers, reflected in its beta of 0.744, suggesting that while LYB is not impervious to shifts in broader market trends, it has offered a degree of stability. Nevertheless, its trading volume has shown signs of increased interest, with 1,643,938 shares changing hands compared to an average volume of about 5,302,996 shares.
Historical Performance
Over the past month, LYB’s performance remains lackluster, posting a modest gain of 0.46%. However, the 90-day and 12-month reviews paint a starkly different picture; with a quarterly decrease of 16.95% and an annual decline of 42.56%, the stock’s trajectory clearly signifies a challenging environment. The stock’s weekly volatility factor currently sits at 3.9%, while monthly volatility shows a similar trend at 3.97%. Average volumes have spiked, with a 10-day average of 5,796,366 shares, suggesting that investors are increasingly engaging with the stock, albeit with caution given the overall bearish market narrative.
Earnings Analysis
On October 31, 2025, LyondellBasell reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.76, significantly surpassing analysts’ expectations of $0.80, resulting in an impressive surprise factor of 120%. This positive earnings surprise follows a previous report on August 1, 2025, where the actual EPS was lower than expectations at $0.62, falling short by nearly 23%. These trends suggest improved operational efficiency or market conditions that may benefit LyondellBasell’s revenue streams, although the broader context of substantive year-over-year losses invites further scrutiny.
Analyst / Consensus View
The recent ratings update from Wells Fargo positions LYB with a consensus of 14 analysts that include just one Buy rating, ten Hold ratings, and three Sell ratings. The average price target across the recommendations stands at approximately $51.07, with an upper threshold of $65 and a lower limit of $43. This consensus suggests a level of careful optimism within the investment community, recognizing the stock’s potential yet wary of the recent unfavorable performance metrics and market conditions.
Stock Grading or Fundamental View
The Stocks Telegraph grading score for LyondellBasell currently sits at 31, indicating that while there is potential for recovery, the company’s overall health and investment profile are currently weighed down by adverse market dynamics and performance issues. Such a low score often highlights weak fundamentals, which investors would need to carefully consider against any forthcoming strategic shifts or operational improvements within the company.
Conclusion
For investors contemplating an interest in LYB, the stock presents a mixed bag of opportunity and caution. The recent rating change to Equal-Weight suggests a degree of acknowledgment of potential upside amid existing challenges. Investors with a high-risk tolerance focused on long-term growth might find this an intriguing opportunity, especially amid signs of operational improvement indicated by the recent earnings surprise. Conversely, those seeking stability may opt to watch from the sidelines for clearer market signals indicating sustained recovery before making an entry point. With many analysts predicting LYB’s potential upside, this stock remains one to monitor closely in the evolving chemical manufacturing landscape.