UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2026
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission File Number 1-4462
STEPAN COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
36-1823834
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
1101 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 500, Northbrook, Illinois 60062
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number (847) 446-7500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value
SCL
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding at August 3, 2026
22,732,540 Shares
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 - Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months EndedJune 30,
Six Months EndedJune 30,
2026
2025
Net Sales
$
684,109
594,689
1,288,618
1,187,944
Cost of Sales
584,127
522,804
1,123,785
1,040,596
Gross Profit
99,982
71,885
164,833
147,348
Operating Expenses:
Selling
14,866
14,657
27,032
26,765
Administrative
24,203
22,801
45,516
44,215
Research, development and technical services
17,195
14,701
32,188
29,350
Deferred compensation expense
1,402
1,761
1,964
765
57,666
53,920
106,700
101,095
Business restructuring (Note 16)
5,106
—
70,545
Operating Income (Loss)
37,210
17,965
(12,412
)
46,253
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net
(5,682
(5,485
(10,693
(9,611
Other, net (Note 15)
1,021
1,306
1,165
1,808
(4,661
(4,179
(9,528
(7,803
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes
32,549
13,786
(21,940
38,450
Provision for Income Taxes
9,638
2,445
(3,445
7,398
Net Income (Loss)
22,911
11,341
(18,495
31,052
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Note 10):
Basic
1.00
0.50
(0.81
1.36
Diluted
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share (Note 10):
22,897
22,865
22,893
22,866
22,924
22,879
22,885
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11)
2,185
37,084
2,447
58,693
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11)
145
59
290
114
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11)
(334
(774
(439
(1,888
Total Other Comprehensive Income
1,996
36,369
2,298
56,919
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
24,907
47,710
(16,197
87,971
3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2026
December 31, 2025
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
113,705
132,688
Receivables, net
492,342
387,959
Inventories (Note 6)
324,463
298,827
Other current assets
44,254
39,485
Total current assets
974,764
858,959
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Cost
2,764,435
2,787,036
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(1,621,823
(1,567,409
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,142,612
1,219,627
Goodwill, net
91,741
92,570
Other intangible assets, net
36,130
39,526
Long-term investments (Note 3)
14,507
21,270
Operating lease assets (Note 7)
58,071
62,494
Other non-current assets
74,841
63,256
Total assets
2,392,666
2,357,702
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of debt (Note 14)
403,285
285,735
Accounts payable
321,664
261,723
Accrued liabilities
122,049
119,036
Total current liabilities
846,998
666,494
Deferred income taxes
10,998
11,450
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 14)
244,069
340,975
Non-current operating lease liabilities (Note 7)
45,028
49,340
Other non-current liabilities
33,527
45,433
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares; 27,467,526 issued shares in 2026 and 27,301,177 issued shares in 2025
27,468
27,301
Additional paid-in capital
265,273
259,820
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11)
(136,676
(138,974
Retained earnings
1,249,315
1,285,752
Less: Common treasury stock, at cost, 4,735,033 shares in 2026 and 4,676,739 shares in 2025
(193,334
(189,889
Total equity
1,212,046
1,244,010
Total liabilities and equity
4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30,
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
63,867
60,559
Deferred compensation (income) expense
Realized and unrealized loss on long-term investments
(1,085
(1,074
Stock-based compensation
3,620
3,064
(10,855
496
Business restructuring
63,537
Other non-cash items
662
412
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(104,289
(31,753
Inventories
(24,229
(30,652
(5,116
(10,765
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
56,407
(1,570
Pension liabilities
(116
(472
Environmental and legal liabilities
348
(436
Deferred revenues
(922
(1,491
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
25,298
18,135
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
(54,294
(58,346
Other, net
7,978
6,878
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
(46,316
(51,468
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Revolving debt and bank overdrafts, net (Note 14)
41,300
(18,200
Other debt borrowings
75,000
Other debt repayments
(20,714
(24,286
Dividends paid
(17,942
(17,386
Stock option exercises
294
104
(1,738
(1,974
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
1,200
13,258
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
835
9,314
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(18,983
(10,761
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
99,665
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
88,904
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds
9,629
4,590
Cash payments of interest
14,208
13,628
5
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Stepan Company (the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate and make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2026, its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, have been included. These financial statements and related footnotes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Below are reconciliations of total equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Total
CommonStock
AdditionalPaid-inCapital
CommonTreasuryStock
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome (Loss)
RetainedEarnings
Balance, March 31, 2026
1,193,024
27,447
262,200
(138,672
1,235,383
Issuance of 0 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan
Stock-based and deferred compensation
3,094
21
3,073
Net income
Other comprehensive income
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock ($0.395 per share)
(8,979
Balance, June 30, 2026
Balance, December 31, 2025
Issuance of 6,694 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan
7
287
1,881
160
5,166
Common stock ($0.790 per share)
6
Balance, March 31, 2025
1,200,538
27,253
254,366
(189,706
(176,288
1,284,913
Issuance of 530 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan
22
2,145
38
2,187
(80
Common stock ($0.385 per share)
(8,702
Balance, June 30, 2025
1,241,713
27,291
256,575
(189,786
(139,919
1,287,552
Balance, December 31, 2024
1,169,934
27,156
253,779
(188,049
(196,838
1,273,886
Issuance of 2,473 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan
102
1,090
133
2,694
(1,737
Common stock ($0.770 per share)
Carrying value approximated fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. Fair value of cash and cash equivalents is a Level 1 measurement. The Company's cash and cash equivalents included money market funds totaling $10,516,000 and $13,807,000 at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.
Derivative assets and liabilities
Derivative assets and liabilities include the foreign currency exchange and interest rate swap contracts discussed in Note 4, Derivative Instruments, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Fair value and carrying value were the same because the contracts were recorded at fair value. The fair values of the foreign currency contracts were calculated as the difference between the applicable forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date and the contracted foreign exchange rates multiplied by the contracted notional amounts. The fair value of the interest rate swap was calculated as the difference between the contracted swap rate and the floating interest rate multiplied by the present value of the notional amount of the contract.
The Company's fair value measurements for debt fall in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. At June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the fair values and related carrying values of debt, including current maturities, were as follows (the fair
value and carrying value amounts are presented without regard to unamortized debt issuance costs of $217,000 and $275,000 as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively):
June 30,2026
December 31,2025
Fair value
636,220
619,027
Carrying value
647,571
626,985
The following tables present financial assets and liabilities, excluding cash and cash equivalents, measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Mutual fund assets
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts
1,540
Foreign currency contracts
451
Total assets at fair value
16,498
1,991
Derivative liabilities:
575
1,974
423
23,667
2,397
340
At June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the Company had open forward foreign currency exchange contracts to buy or sell foreign currencies with U.S. dollar equivalent amounts of $46,234,000 and $57,755,000, respectively. All forward foreign exchange contracts at June 30, 2026 had durations of one month to three months.
The Company is currently exposed to volatility in short-term interest rates and has mitigated certain portions of that risk by using an interest rate swap. The interest rate swap is recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. At June 30, 2026, the Company held an interest rate swap contract with a notional value of $100,000,000 that was designated as a cash flow hedge. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are initially recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income. As the interest rate swap contract is settled, the corresponding gain or loss is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) into earnings. The maturity date of the current interest rate swap contract is March 10, 2027, which is closely aligned with the June 24, 2027 maturity of the Company's revolving credit facility.
The fair values of the derivative instruments held by the Company on June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are disclosed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Derivative instrument gains and losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, were immaterial. For amounts reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, see Note 11, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).
8
Compensation expense recorded for all stock options, performance shares, time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs) was as follows:
2,117
1,682
Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs were as follows:
Stock options
134
109
Performance shares and RSUs
12,830
6,838
SARs
3,734
2,602
The change in unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs is due to new grants issued in 2026.
The Company granted the following awards in the first six months of 2026:
Shares
3,936
Performance shares (at target) and RSUs
210,393
146,539
The unrecognized compensation costs at June 30, 2026, are expected to be recognized over weighted-average periods of 2.0 years for stock options, 2.2 years for performance shares and RSUs and 2.1 years for SARs.
The composition of inventories at June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, was as follows:
Finished goods
221,319
220,094
Raw materials
103,144
78,733
Total inventories
9
Lease cost is recognized in both the Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses sections of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Lease Cost
Operating lease cost
4,771
4,801
9,393
9,563
Short-term lease cost
2,270
2,796
4,972
5,314
Variable lease cost
274
393
615
768
Total lease cost
7,315
7,990
14,980
15,645
Other Information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flow from operating leases
4,729
9,305
9,577
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
886
1,202
260
The following table outlines the maturities of lease liabilities as of June 30, 2026.
Undiscounted Cash Flows:
2026 (excluding the six months ended June 30, 2026)
9,197
2027
14,181
2028
9,820
2029
8,617
2030
7,193
Subsequent to 2030
17,619
Total Undiscounted Cash Flows
66,627
Less: Imputed interest
(6,632
Present value
59,995
Current operating lease liabilities (1)
14,967
Non-current operating lease liabilities
Total lease liabilities
Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases
6 Years
Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases
3.9
%
As of June 30, 2026, the Company had no leases that had not commenced.
There are a variety of legal proceedings pending or threatened against the Company that occur in the normal course of the Company’s business, the majority of which relate to environmental assessment, protection and remediation matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties, judgments or costs being assessed against the Company at some future time. The Company’s operations are subject to extensive local, state and federal regulations, including the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Superfund amendments of 1986 (Superfund) as well as comparable regulations applicable to the Company’s foreign locations. Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by government authorities as a potentially responsible party at a number of sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred by the Company under CERCLA and similar state statutes. In addition, the Company is from time to time involved in routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including personal injury, property damage, tax, trade and labor matters. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely to incur with respect to these claims.
10
In determining the appropriate level of environmental reserves, the Company considers several factors such as information obtained from investigatory studies; changes in the scope of remediation; the interpretation, application and enforcement of laws and regulations; changes in the costs of remediation programs; the development of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; and the relative level of the Company’s involvement at various sites for which the Company is allegedly associated. The level of annual expenditures for remedial, monitoring and investigatory activities will change in the future as major components of planned remediation activities are completed and the scope, timing and costs of existing activities are changed. As of June 30, 2026, the Company estimated a range of possible environmental losses and legal losses of $19,619,000 to $46,483,000. Within the range of possible environmental losses and legal losses, management has currently concluded that no single amount is more likely to occur than any other amounts in the range and, thus, has accrued at the lower end of the range. These accruals totaled $19,619,000 at June 30, 2026 and $19,272,000 at December 31, 2025. Although the Company believes that its estimated range of possible environmental losses and legal losses and its reserves are adequate for contingencies, it is possible, due to uncertainties including those noted above, that additional reserves could be required in the future. Cash expenditures related to environmental remediation and certain other legal matters approximated $749,000 and $3,402,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Based on the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, management believes that the Company has no material liability at these sites and that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. However, in the event of one or more adverse determinations with respect to such sites in any annual or interim period, the effect on the Company’s cash flows and results of operations for those periods could be material.
Following are summaries of the Company’s major contingencies at June 30, 2026:
Maywood, New Jersey Site
The Company’s property in Maywood, New Jersey, property formerly owned by the Company adjacent to its current site and other nearby properties (collectively, the Maywood site) were listed on the National Priorities List in September 1993 pursuant to the provisions of CERCLA because of alleged chemical and radiological contamination. Pursuant to (i) a September 21, 1987 Administrative Order on Consent entered into between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Company for property formerly owned by the Company at the Maywood site and (ii) the issuance of an order on May 2, 1991 by the USEPA to the Company for property currently owned by the Company at the Maywood site, the Company has completed various Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies of soil and groundwater at the Maywood site. On September 24, 2014, the USEPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for chemically-contaminated soil at the Maywood site. The ROD was amended pursuant to an Explanation of Significant Differences in January 2021. On February 29, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a consent decree among the Company, the United States, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund Administrator that requires the Company to take certain actions and to pay certain past costs of the United States and NJDEP. The USEPA has not yet issued a ROD for chemically-contaminated groundwater at the Maywood site.
Based on the most current information available, the Company believes its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated costs of remediation for the Maywood site. The estimate of the cost of remediation for the Maywood site could change again as the Company continues to hold discussions with the USEPA, as the design of the remedial action is finalized, if a groundwater ROD is issued or if other potentially responsible parties are identified. The ultimate amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability.
D’Imperio Property Site
During the mid-1970’s, Jerome Lightman and the Lightman Drum Company disposed of hazardous substances generated by the Company at several sites in New Jersey, including the D’Imperio site. The Company was named as a potentially responsible party in an October 2, 1998 lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that involved the D’Imperio Site. The Company is cooperating with other potentially responsible parties to implement the selected remedy. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated cost of remediation for the D’Imperio site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability.
11
Wilmington Site
Property formerly owned and operated by the Company in Wilmington, Massachusetts was listed on the National Priorities List in 2006. The Company, together with the current site owner and another potentially responsible party, entered into an Administrative Order on Consent in July 2007 to undertake a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. A ROD was issued by the USEPA on March 30, 2021. The Company and three other potentially responsible parties entered into a consent decree, dated September 28, 2023, with USEPA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that requires the remedial design and remedial action of the remedy selected in the ROD for two operable units and an interim remedy for another operable unit. Remediation at this site is being managed by its current owner, to whom the Company sold the property in 1980. The Company is contractually obligated to contribute up to five percent of the environmental response costs incurred by the current owner, with no limitation on the ultimate amount of contributions. The Company had paid the current owner $4,443,000 for the Company’s portion of environmental response costs at the Wilmington site through June 30, 2026. The Company has recorded a liability for its portion of the estimated remediation costs for the site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.
On July 29, 2022, the Company and other potentially responsible parties were notified of a possible joint claim by federal and state trustees for alleged natural resource damages related to the Wilmington site. The alleged damages may result in a range of possible penalties and the Company recorded a liability for this matter during the first quarter of 2024. Depending on the ultimate resolution of this matter, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.
Millsdale Site
On March 26, 2024, the Company received a Notice and Finding of Violation from the USEPA alleging violations of air regulations at the Company’s Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) facility. The notice alleges violations related to operating parameters and air emission requirements. The alleged violations may result in a range of possible penalties, including financial penalties or operational remedies. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability for this matter is reasonable; however, depending on the ultimate resolution of this matter, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.
Other U.S. Sites
Through the regular environmental monitoring of its plant production sites, the Company discovered levels of chemical contamination that were above thresholds allowed by law at its Millsdale and Fieldsboro, New Jersey plants. The Company voluntarily reported its results to the applicable state environmental agencies. As a result, the Company is required to perform self-remediation of the affected areas. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability for the remediation of the affected areas is appropriate based on an estimate of expected costs. However, actual costs could differ materially from the current recorded liability.
Brazil Tax Rescission Action
In March 2017, the Brazil Supreme Court ruled that ICMS (State VAT) does not represent a Company’s revenue and should not be included in the calculation basis of certain indirect taxes (PIS/COFINS). Based on the Supreme Court’s decision, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary filed a lawsuit on March 23, 2017 to recover PIS/COFINS overpayments. The Company’s recovery case was successful and became final in November 2018. In May 2021, the Brazil Supreme Court modulated its original decision so that only taxpayers that had filed lawsuits before March 15, 2017, should recover prior PIS/COFINS overpayments. On June 12, 2023, the Brazil National Treasury filed a rescission action against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary to rescind its use of the PIS/COFINS tax credits for the period from March 23, 2012, to March 15, 2017. In September and October 2024, the Brazil Superior Court and Supreme Court, respectively, ruled that the generally held two-year “res judicata” principle would start from the May 2021 ruling and not the final ruling in prior taxpayer cases (e.g., November 30, 2018, for the Company’s case). Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability is reasonable; however, depending on the ultimate resolution of this matter, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.
Other Matters
On March 19, 2025, the Company received a pre-filing notice from USEPA for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) associated with certain of the Company’s biocide products sold by a licensed distributor. USEPA assessed a civil penalty of $1,126,000, which the Company paid on July 2, 2025. As of June 30, 2026, the Company recovered the entire amount of the USEPA penalty from third parties.
12
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Company sponsors various funded qualified and unfunded non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, the most significant of which cover employees in the U.S. and U.K. locations. The U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans are frozen and service benefits are no longer being accrued.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Interest cost
1,646
1,700
3,292
3,400
Expected return on plan assets
(1,847
(2,003
(3,695
(4,005
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)
(19
217
(38
Net periodic benefit cost
(92
(322
(186
(643
UNITED KINGDOM
178
357
346
(201
(206
(403
(400
Amortization of net actuarial loss
85
97
170
189
62
69
124
135
Employer Contributions
U.S. Plans
In 2026, the Company expects to contribute $880,000 to the U.S. qualified defined benefit plans and $147,000 to the U.S. unfunded non-qualified pension plans. Of such amount, $89,000 had been paid to the non-qualified plans as of June 30, 2026.
U.K. Plan
The Company’s U.K. subsidiary does not expect to contribute to its defined benefit pension plan in 2026.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors retirement defined contribution plans that cover eligible U.S. and U.K. employees. The Company’s U.S. retirement plans include two qualified plans, one of which is a 401(k) plan and one of which is an employee stock ownership plan (profit sharing plan), and one non-qualified supplemental executive plan. In the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the Company made contributions into the qualified retirement plans for U.S. employees and for certain non-U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions were determined using a formula applied to Company earnings. Approximately 85 percent of union and non-union employees are eligible for either the Company's sponsored or statutory profit sharing contributions and 100 percent of U.S. based union and non-union employees are eligible for the Company's sponsored profit sharing contributions. In 2025 and 2026, profit sharing contributions for U.S. employees were made to the employee stock ownership plan. Profit sharing contributions are allocated to participant accounts based on participant base earnings.
Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s qualified contribution plans were as follows:
Retirement savings contributions
2,410
2,344
4,654
4,559
Profit sharing contributions
1,107
495
1,668
1,605
Total defined contribution plan expenses
3,517
2,839
6,322
6,164
The Company has a rabbi trust to fund the obligations of its non-qualified supplemental executive defined contribution plans (supplemental plans). The trust is comprised of various mutual fund investments selected by the participants of the
13
supplemental plans. In accordance with the accounting guidance for rabbi trust arrangements, the assets of the trust and the obligations of the supplemental plans are reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for the mutual fund investment assets so that offsetting changes in the mutual fund values and defined contribution plan obligations would be recorded in earnings in the same period. Therefore, the mutual funds are reported at fair value with any subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the statements of income. The supplemental plan liabilities increase (i.e., supplemental plan expense is recognized) when the value of the trust assets appreciate and decrease when the value of the trust assets decline (i.e., supplemental plan income is recognized). At June 30, 2026, the balance of the trust assets was $354,000 which equaled the balance of the supplemental plan liabilities. See the long-term investments section in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for further information regarding the Company’s mutual fund assets.
Below are the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
Computation of Basic Earnings per Share
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Basic earnings per share
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)(1)(2)
Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)(2)
19
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of SARs (under treasury stock method)(1)(2)
Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method)(2)
Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings
Diluted earnings per share
14
Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments
DefinedBenefitPension PlanAdjustments
Cash FlowHedgeAdjustments
Balance at March 31, 2025
(154,193
(25,941
3,846
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(771
36,313
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(3
56
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at June 30, 2025
(117,109
(25,882
3,072
Balance at March 31, 2026
(113,720
(26,837
1,885
(331
1,854
142
Balance at June 30, 2026
(111,535
(26,692
1,551
Balance at December 31, 2024
(175,802
(25,996
4,960
(1,883
56,810
(5
Balance at December 31, 2025
(113,982
(26,982
1,990
(434
2,013
285
15
Information regarding the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, is displayed below:
Amount Reclassified from AOCI (1)
AOCI Components
Affected Line Item in Condensed ConsolidatedStatements of Income
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial losses
(194
(78
(387
(151
(2)
49
37
Tax benefit
(145
(59
(290
(114
Net of tax
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts
Cost of sales
Total before tax
Total reclassifications for the period
(142
(56
(285
(109
The Company has three reportable segments: Surfactants, Polymers and Specialty Products. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) is the President and Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. The following is segment data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, and reconciliations of segment data to the condensed consolidated financial statements:
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2026
Surfactants
Polymers
SpecialtyProducts
483,902
178,007
22,200
Cost of Sales (1)
420,295
147,228
16,193
583,716
Operating Expenses (2)
29,245
8,310
1,000
38,555
Operating Income
34,362
22,469
5,007
61,838
Unallocated Corporate Expenses (3)
(24,628
Consolidated Operating Income
Segment Capital Expenditures
16,057
6,517
992
23,566
Unallocated Capital Expenditures (4)
(160
Consolidated Capital Expenditures
23,406
Segment Depreciation and Amortization
20,520
8,698
1,467
30,685
Unallocated Depreciation and Amortization (5)
235
Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization
30,920
16
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2026
937,589
308,036
42,993
830,312
261,273
31,366
1,122,951
54,367
15,472
1,905
71,744
52,910
31,291
9,722
93,923
(106,335
38,440
13,795
2,454
54,689
(395
54,294
43,088
17,274
2,920
63,282
585
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025
411,456
162,751
20,482
370,660
138,124
14,293
523,077
27,429
7,468
931
35,828
13,367
17,159
5,258
35,784
(17,819
19,675
4,581
866
25,122
476
25,598
21,137
8,352
1,472
30,961
328
31,289
17
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025
841,793
308,867
37,284
747,326
269,020
24,690
1,041,036
52,170
14,670
1,828
68,668
42,297
25,177
10,766
78,240
(31,987
43,679
11,652
1,946
57,277
1,069
58,346
40,567
16,413
2,961
59,941
618
The following is segment assets at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, and reconciliations of segment assets to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
As of June 30, 2026
Segment Assets
1,650,031
545,676
85,116
2,280,823
Unallocated Assets (6)
111,843
Consolidated Assets
As of December 31, 2025
1,630,551
536,748
82,300
2,249,599
108,103
The Company has accounts receivable financing programs under which the Company has the ability to sell eligible receivables for select customers to select banking institutions. For the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the Company’s cash
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proceeds from the sale of receivables were $24,496,000 and $20,606,000, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the Company’s cash proceeds from the sale of receivables were $40,114,000 and $55,075,000, respectively. Financing charges incurred from the sale of accounts receivable qualifying as sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 were immaterial.
As of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company had $405,000 and $218,000 of contract liabilities and no contract assets, respectively. A contract liability would typically arise when an advance or deposit is received from a customer before the Company recognizes revenue. In practice, this is rare as it would require a customer to make a payment prior to a performance obligation being satisfied. When such situations do arise, the Company maintains a deferred revenue liability until the time a performance obligation has been satisfied. The Company recognized $218,000 of revenue in the first six months of 2026 from pre-existing contract liabilities at December 31, 2025.
In addition, during 2020, the Company recorded $10,709,000 of long-term deferred revenue associated with a payment received to defray the cost of capital expenditures necessary to service a customer’s future product needs. At June 30, 2026, $1,108,000 was classified as long-term and $2,216,000 was classified as short-term. This deferred revenue is being recognized over the period of the contract and $7,385,000 of revenue has been recognized from the beginning of the contract term through June 30, 2026.
The tables below provide a geographic disaggregation of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025. The Company’s business segmentation by geographic region most effectively captures the nature and economic characteristics of the Company’s revenue streams impacted by economic factors.
Geographic Market
Specialty
North America
273,715
99,245
19,799
392,759
Europe
81,965
67,307
2,326
151,598
Latin America
123,508
75
123,652
Asia
4,714
11,386
16,100
532,810
171,047
37,910
741,767
176,126
114,841
4,961
295,928
220,118
275
122
220,515
8,535
21,873
30,408
234,364
88,251
16,833
339,448
74,605
63,296
3,514
141,415
90,527
204
90,866
11,960
11,000
22,960
486,099
161,044
30,297
677,440
156,203
124,438
6,781
287,422
173,291
500
206
173,997
26,200
49,085
At June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, debt was comprised of the following:
Maturity Dates
Senior unsecured notes
3.95% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $34 and $56 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
2026-2027
28,538
28,515
2.30% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $44 and $55 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
2026-2028
19,956
29,945
2.37% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $49 and $60 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
29,951
29,940
2.73% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $43 and $52 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
2026-2031
85,670
85,662
2.83% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $47 and $52 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
2026-2032
64,239
74,948
6.17% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $0 and $0 for 2026 and 2025, respectively)
2029-2033
Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing
344,000
302,700
Total debt
647,354
626,710
Less current maturities
Long-term debt
The Company's long-term debt financing is comprised of certain senior unsecured notes issued to insurance companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements (the “Note Purchase Agreements”), totaling $303,354,000 as of June 30, 2026. These notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and have fixed interest rates ranging from 2.30 percent to 6.17 percent. The notes had original maturities of seven to 12 years with mandatory principal payments beginning four, five and six years after issuance. The Company will be required to make principal payments on the currently outstanding notes from 2026 to 2033.
The Company’s credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks provides for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000, consisting of (a) a $350,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $100,000,000 delayed draw term loan credit facility, each of which matures on June 24, 2027. The Company's credit agreement with Credit Industriel et Commercial NY (the CIC Credit Agreement) provides for a credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $8,700,000. The facility is for the sole purpose of the issuance of standby letters of credit. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had an outstanding letter of credit of $8,694,000 under the CIC Credit Agreement. The Company maintains import and export letters of credit, and standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the Credit Agreement and under the CIC Credit Agreement. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $4,585,000 and $344,000,000 of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement, inclusive of an $80,000,000 delayed-draw term loan ($20,000,000 of the term loan principal has been permanently repaid as scheduled). There was $81,415,000 available under the Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2026.
The Company's foreign subsidiaries had no debt outstanding at June 30, 2026.
The Company’s material debt agreements contain provisions which, among other covenants, require maintenance of certain financial ratios and place limitations on additional debt, investments and payment of dividends. Based on the loan agreement provisions that place limitations on dividend payments, unrestricted retained earnings (i.e., retained earnings available for dividend distribution) were $227,780,000 and $263,923,000 at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.
20
Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income included the following:
Foreign exchange (loss)
(379
(639
(197
(20
Investment income
125
215
246
Realized and unrealized gain on investments
1,199
1,567
1,085
1,074
31
253
508
In February 2026, as part of the Company's Project Catalyst, a comprehensive operational and efficiency plan, the Company’s Board of Directors approved plans to shut down the Company’s Fieldsboro, New Jersey site and decommission select assets at its Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) and Stalybridge, U.K. facilities during the first half of 2026. The Company is mostly consolidating the impacted operations into its existing network, improving its asset utilization and reducing its fixed cost basis, while maintaining ongoing supply for its customers. Total pre-tax business restructuring expenses related to the asset shutdowns for the second quarter of 2026 and the first six months of 2026 were $5,106,000 and $70,545,000, respectively. Restructuring costs in the first half of 2026 included $61,309,000 of asset impairment charges. The Fieldsboro, New Jersey site, Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) site and Stalybridge, U.K site recognized $42,109,000, $14,332,000 and $4,868,000, respectively, in asset impairment charges. During the first six months of 2026, the Company also recognized $7,509,000 and $1,727,000 of decommissioning/other and termination expenses, respectively.
Although all restructuring charges related to the Surfactants segment, they were excluded from the Surfactants segment results and are shown on a separate Business restructuring line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025. Below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the restructuring liability:
Decommissioning and Other Charges
TerminationBenefits
Restructuring liability at January 1, 2026
Expenses accrued during the period
1,405
815
2,220
Amounts paid
Foreign currency translation
Restructuring liability at March 31, 2026
3,299
77
3,376
(2,888
(775
(3,663
Restructuring liability at June 30, 2026
1,813
1,937
The Company anticipates recognizing total restructuring expenses in the range of $75,000,000 to $80,000,000 for full year 2026.
Noncash investing activities included liabilities (accounts payable) incurred for property, plant and equipment expenditures of approximately $7,875,000 and $10,593,000 that were unpaid at June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Noncash financing activities included the issuance of 159,655 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $8,602,000) and 132,057 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $7,811,000) under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan during the period ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
On April 24, 2026, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell a parcel of the Company’s land near its Elwood, IL (Millsdale) site. The agreed upon purchase price for the property is $30,000,000 and is subject to customary adjustments and closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2026.
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). This update requires that public entities on an interim and annual basis disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses. ASU No. 2024-03 requires a footnote disclosure in tabular form of each expense caption on the face of the income statement that includes any of the following natural expenses: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, and (4) intangible asset amortization. The disclosure would also include a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively and disclosure of the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. This ASU does not change or remove existing expense disclosure requirements; however, it may affect where that information appears in the footnotes to the financial statements. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-01, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), Clarifying the effective date. The amendments in ASU No. 2024-03 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The amendments in this update should be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The implementation of ASU No. 2024-03 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow but will impact the Company’s interim and annual disclosures related to the relevant subtopics in this update.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) An Amendment of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification - Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. This update removes all references to software development stages, allowing entities to start capitalizing software costs when 1) management has authorized and is committed to funding the software projects and 2) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the functions intended. Under the current rule, entities are required to capitalize development costs incurred depending on the nature of the costs and the project stage during which they occur. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the annual reporting period. The Company is in the process of evaluating ASU 2025-06 to determine its impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In May 2026, the FASB issued ASU No. 2026-02, Environmental Credits and Environmental Credit Obligations (Topic 818). This update provides recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements for all entities that generate, purchase, receive environmental credits or have regulatory compliance obligations that may be settled with environmental credits. Environmental credits include carbon offsets, emission allowances, renewable energy certificates, and renewable identification numbers. Environmental obligations are regulatory obligations arising from laws to prevent, control, reduce, or remove emissions or pollution, which may be settled with environmental credits. Entities will need to disclose intended use of credits, financial statement impact of environmental assets and liabilities and changes in intent to use credits to settle existing obligations. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company is in the process of evaluating ASU 2026-02 to determine its impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
On July 28, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved a plan to reduce the Company’s global salaried workforce by around 100 roles during the third quarter of 2026 as part of Project Catalyst, the Company’s previously announced comprehensive operational and efficiency initiative.
As previously disclosed, the Company anticipates recognizing full-year restructuring charges in the range of $75,000,000 to $80,000,000 in connection with Project Catalyst. Of that amount, the Company currently estimates that it will incur approximately $4,000,000 to $6,000,000 of charges in connection with the workforce reduction, consisting primarily of employee severance, benefits and related costs. The Company expects substantially all of these workforce reduction charges
to result in cash expenditures. The Company expects to recognize the majority of these charges during the second half of 2026.
The estimated charges that the Company expects to incur are subject to several assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The Company may incur additional costs due to events associated with or resulting from Project Catalyst and the workforce reduction described above.
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Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) of certain significant factors that have affected the Company’s financial condition and results of operations during the interim periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than purely historical information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These statements include statements about Stepan Company’s and its subsidiaries’ (the Company) plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “illustrative” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors, include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under “Part II-Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and under “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including the risks and uncertainties related to the following:
24
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also impact the Company’s results. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
The “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” means Stepan Company and one or more of its subsidiaries only.
Overview
The Company produces and sells intermediate chemicals that are used in a wide variety of applications worldwide. The overall business is comprised of three reportable segments:
Surfactants – Surfactants, which accounted for 73 percent of consolidated net sales for the first six months of 2026, are principal ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products such as detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes. Other applications include fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients, emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products and industrial applications such as latex systems, plastics and composites. Surfactants are manufactured at five sites in the United States, two European sites (United Kingdom and France), five Latin American sites (one site in Colombia and two sites in each of Mexico and Brazil) and one Asian site (Singapore).
Polymers – Polymers, which accounted for 24 percent of consolidated net sales for the first six months of 2026, include polyurethane polyols, polyester resins and phthalic anhydride. Polyurethane polyols are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry and are also a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (collectively, CASE products). Powdered polyester resins are used in coating applications. CASE and powdered polyester resins are collectively referred to as specialty polyols. Phthalic anhydride is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins and plasticizers for applications in construction materials and components of automotive, boating and other consumer products. In addition, the Company uses phthalic anhydride internally in the production of polyols. In the United States, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) and Wilmington, North Carolina sites. Phthalic anhydride is manufactured at the Company’s Millsdale site and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Columbus, Georgia, site. In Europe, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the Company’s plants in Germany and the Netherlands and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Poland site. In Asia, polyurethane polyols and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s China plant.
Specialty Products – Specialty products, which accounted for three percent of consolidated net sales for the first six months of 2026, include flavors, emulsifiers and solubilizers used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical applications. Specialty products are primarily manufactured at the Company’s Maywood, New Jersey, site.
25
Deferred Compensation Plans
The accounting for the Company’s deferred compensation plans can cause period-to-period fluctuations in Company income and expenses. Compensation expense is recognized when the value of the Company's common stock and mutual fund investment assets held for the plans increase, and compensation income is recognized when the value of the Company's common stock and mutual fund investment assets decline. The pretax effect of all deferred compensation-related activities (including realized and unrealized gains and losses on the mutual fund assets held to fund the deferred compensation obligations) and the income statement line items in which the effects of the activities were recorded are displayed in the following table:
Income (Expense)
For the Three MonthsEnded June 30,
(In millions)
Change
Deferred Compensation (Operating expenses)
(1.4
(1.8
0.4
(1)
Realized/Unrealized Gains on Investments (Other, net)
1.2
1.6
(0.4
Investment Income (Other, net)
0.1
Pretax Income Effect
(0.1
For the Six MonthsEnded June 30,
(2.0
(0.8
(1.2
1.1
0.2
(0.7
0.5
Effects of Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary income statements are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period. Because foreign exchange rates fluctuate against the U.S. dollar over time, foreign currency translation affects period-to-period comparisons of financial statement items (i.e., because foreign exchange rates fluctuate, similar period-to-period local currency results for a foreign subsidiary may translate into different U.S. dollar results). The following table presents the effects that foreign currency translation had on the period-over-period changes in consolidated net sales and various income statement line items for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
Increase
IncreaseDue to Foreign Translation
684.1
594.7
89.4
17.1
100.0
71.9
28.1
2.9
37.2
18.0
19.2
2.1
Pretax Income
32.5
13.8
18.7
26
Increase(Decrease)
1,288.6
1,187.9
100.7
42.4
164.8
147.3
17.5
5.4
(12.4
46.3
(58.7
3.4
Pretax Income (Loss)
(21.9
38.5
(60.4
3.5
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 and 2025
Summary
Net income in the second quarter of 2026 was $22.9 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, versus $11.3 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted net income was $27.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, versus $12.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2025 (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share” section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income (loss) and reported earnings (loss) per diluted share and non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $69.1 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 37 percent, versus $50.6 million in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $74.4 million, up 45 percent, versus $51.4 million in the second quarter of 2025 (see the "Reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported operating income and non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA). Below is a summary discussion of the major factors leading to the changes in net sales, expenses and income in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter of 2025. A detailed discussion of segment operating performance for the second quarter of 2026, compared to the second quarter of 2025, follows the summary.
Consolidated net sales increased $89.4 million, or 15 percent, year-over-year. Higher average selling prices favorably impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $54.4 million. The increase in average selling prices was mostly attributable to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix, and pricing actions. Consolidated sales volume increased three percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $17.9 million. Surfactant, Polymer and Specialty Products sales volume increased two, five and four percent, respectively, year-over-year. Organic sales volume (excluding the divestiture of assets in the Philippines and the exit of a product line in the UK) increased six percent year-over-year. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $17.1 million, primarily due to a weaker U.S. dollar against most of the currencies in locations where the Company conducts its business.
Operating income in the second quarter of 2026 increased $19.2 million, or 107 percent, versus operating income in the second quarter of 2025. Surfactant and Polymer operating income increased $21.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively, year-over-year. Specialty Products operating income decreased $0.3 million versus the second quarter of 2025. Corporate expenses, including business restructuring, environmental remediation and deferred compensation expenses increased $6.8 million, year-over-year. Business restructuring expenses were $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2026 versus no restructuring expenses recognized during the second quarter of 2025. Foreign currency translation had a $2.1 million positive impact on operating income year-over-year.
Operating expenses (including deferred compensation) increased $3.7 million, or seven percent, year-over-year. Changes in the individual income statement line items that comprise the Company’s operating expenses were as follows:
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Net interest expense for the second quarter of 2026 increased $0.2 million, or four percent, versus the second quarter of 2025.
Other, net was $1.0 million of income in the second quarter of 2026 versus $1.3 million of income in the second quarter of 2025. The Company recognized $1.4 million of investment gains (including realized and unrealized gains and losses) for the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental defined contribution mutual fund assets in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $1.7 million of investment gains in the second quarter of 2025. In addition, the Company reported $0.4 million of foreign exchange losses in the second quarter of 2026 versus $0.6 million of foreign exchange losses in the second quarter of 2025. The Company's net periodic pension income was less than $0.1 million of income in the second quarter of 2026 versus $0.3 million of income in the second quarter of 2025.
The Company’s effective tax rate was 29.6 percent in the second quarter of 2026 versus 17.7 percent in the second quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily driven by a decrease in tax credit due to lower qualifying expenses associated with certain start-up costs which did not recur in 2026, and the non-recurrence of interest income recorded in Q2 2025 related to an audit settlement.
Segment Results
PercentChange
72,446
15,256
Specialty Products
1,718
Total Net Sales
89,420
20,995
157
5,310
(251
-5
Segment Operating Income
26,054
73
Corporate Expenses, Excluding Deferred Compensation Expense
23,226
16,058
7,168
45
Deferred Compensation Expense
(359
-20
Total Operating Income
19,245
107
Surfactant net sales for the second quarter of 2026 increased $72.4 million, or 18 percent, versus net sales for the second quarter of 2025. Higher average selling prices had a $47.3 million favorable impact on the change in net sales. The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to the pass through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions. Sales volume increased two percent and had a $9.9 million favorable impact on the change in net sales. Organic sales volume increased seven percent year-over-year. The Company believes a portion of the volume growth reflects customer pre-buying in response to geopolitical and product supply uncertainty. Foreign currency translation had a $15.2 million favorable impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. A comparison of net sales by region follows:
39,351
7,360
32,981
36
(7,246
-61
Total Surfactants Segment
28
Net sales for North American operations increased $39.4 million, or 17 percent, year-over-year. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales by $30.9 million and were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions. Sales volume increased four percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $8.5 million. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the industrial cleaning and oilfield end markets.
Net sales for European operations increased $7.4 million, or 10 percent, due to higher average selling prices, the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, and a one percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $5.2 million, $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs and pricing actions. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the European euro and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the consumer products end markets, partially offset by lower demand for products sold into the crop productivity end markets.
Net sales for Latin American operations increased $33.0 million, or 36 percent, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, a 13 percent increase in sales volume, and higher average selling prices. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $13.7 million, $11.8 million, and $7.5 million, respectively. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to all currencies within the region led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect. The increase in sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the commodity laundry and cleaning, industrial cleaning, and crop productivity end markets and to our distribution partners. The higher average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions.
Net sales for Asian operations decreased $7.2 million, or 61 percent, versus the prior year quarter. A 76 percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $9.1 million. The lower sales volume was mainly due to the divestiture of assets in the Philippines during the fourth quarter of 2025. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales by $1.8 million. Foreign currency translation had a $0.1 million favorable impact on the change in net sales year-over-year.
Surfactant operating income for the second quarter of 2026 increased $21.0 million, or 157 percent, versus operating income for the second quarter of 2025. Gross profit increased $22.8 million, or 56 percent, and operating expenses increased $1.8 million, or seven percent. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:
Gross Profit and Operating Income
30,305
19,311
10,994
57
9,967
8,138
1,829
21,134
10,986
10,148
92
2,201
2,361
-7
Surfactants Segment Gross Profit
63,607
40,796
22,811
Operating Expenses
1,816
Surfactants Segment Operating Income
Gross profit for North American operations increased $11.0 million, or 57 percent, versus the prior year primarily due to higher average unit margins. The higher average unit margins favorably impacted the change in gross profit by $10.3 million and were attributable to more favorable product mix, pricing actions, the initial benefits from Project Catalyst actions and the non-recurrence of an environmental remediation reserve adjustment recognized in the second quarter of 2025. The four percent increase in sales volume positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.7 million.
Gross profit for European operations increased $1.8 million, or 22 percent, primarily due to higher average unit margins and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The one percent increase in sales volume positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.1 million.
Gross profit for Latin American operations increased $10.1 million, or 92 percent. Higher average unit margins, the favorable impact of foreign currency translation and the 13 percent increase in sales volume favorably impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $6.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins largely reflect more favorable product mix.
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Gross profit for Asia operations decreased $0.2 million year-over-year primarily due to the double-digit decrease in sales volume resulting from the asset divestiture in the Philippines during the fourth quarter of 2025. The decline in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.8 million but was largely offset by higher average unit margins. The higher average unit margins positively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.6 million and largely reflect lower overhead expenses resulting from production timing differences.
Operating expenses for the Surfactants segment increased $1.8 million, or seven percent, in the second quarter of 2026 versus the second quarter of 2025. This increase was largely due to higher incentive-based compensation expenses that were partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $1.1 million USEPA penalty recognized in the second quarter of 2025. In addition, foreign currency translation had a $0.7 million unfavorable impact on the year-over-year change in operating expenses.
Polymer net sales for the second quarter of 2026 increased $15.3 million, or nine percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2025. A five percent increase in sales volume, higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $7.4 million, $6.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively. A comparison of net sales by region follows:
4,011
Asia and Other
11,455
11,204
251
Total Polymers Segment
Net sales for North American operations increased $11.0 million, or 12 percent, year-over-year. Sales volume increased 15 percent and positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $13.0 million. Sales volume of polyols used in rigid foam applications and within the commodity phthalic anhydride business increased 19 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Within rigid applications, spray foam sales increased triple digits. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the change in net sales by $2.0 million.
Net sales for European operations increased $4.0 million, or six percent, year-over-year. Higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $5.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to the pass through of higher raw material costs. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect. A three percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $2.2 million. The lower sales volume reflects lower construction demand related to the macroeconomic environment and economic uncertainties.
Net sales for Asia and Other operations increased $0.3 million, or two percent, primarily due to higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. A 16 percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $1.8 million.
Polymer operating income in the second quarter of 2026 increased $5.3 million, or 31 percent, versus operating income in the second quarter of 2025. Gross profit increased $6.2 million, or 25 percent, and operating expenses increased $0.8 million, or 11 percent, year-over-year. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:
19,280
13,799
5,481
40
9,658
8,773
885
1,841
2,055
(214
-10
Polymers Segment Gross Profit
30,779
24,627
6,152
842
Polymers Segment Operating Income
Gross profit for North American operations increased $5.5 million year-over-year. Higher average unit margins and the 15 percent increase in sales volume positively impacted the change in gross profit by $3.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
30
Gross profit for European operations increased $0.9 million, or 10 percent, versus the second quarter of 2025. This increase was primarily due to higher average unit margins and the favorable impact of the foreign currency translation. These two factors positively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The three percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $0.3 million.
Gross profit for Asia and Other operations decreased $0.2 million, or 10 percent, primarily due to the 16 percent decrease in sales volume. The decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.3 million. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.1 million.
Operating expenses for the Polymer segment increased $0.8 million, or 11 percent, in the second quarter of 2026 versus the second quarter of 2025 primarily due to higher incentive-based compensation expenses.
Specialty Products net sales for the second quarter of 2026 increased $1.7 million, or eight percent, versus net sales for the second quarter of 2025. Gross profit and operating income decreased $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, year-over-year. The year-over-year decreases in gross profit and operating income were primarily due to less favorable product mix within the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line that was mostly offset by higher earnings in the food and flavor business.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses, which include business restructuring, deferred compensation and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, increased $6.8 million year-over-year. Corporate expenses were $24.6 million in the second quarter of 2026 versus $17.8 million in the second quarter of 2025. This increase was primarily due to a $5.1 million restructuring charge recognized in the second quarter of 2026 and higher year-over-year incentive-based compensation expenses. See Note 16, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements for more details regarding the restructuring charge. These items were partially offset by a $0.4 million year-over-year decrease in deferred compensation expenses and a $0.6 million decrease in legacy environmental reserve expenses.
The $0.4 million decrease in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to a smaller increase in the market value of mutual fund investment assets during the second quarter of 2026 versus the second quarter of 2025. Partially offsetting the above, the market price of the Company's common stock increased $5.74 per share in the second quarter of 2026 versus a $0.46 per share decrease in the second quarter of 2025.
The following table presents the quarter-end Company common stock market prices used in the computation of deferred compensation income/expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
June 30
March 31
Company Common Stock Price
55.72
49.98
54.58
55.04
Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 and 2025
The Company incurred an $18.5 million net loss in the first half of 2026, or a loss of $0.81 per diluted share, versus net income of $31.1 million, or $1.36 income per diluted share, in the first half of 2025. The current year loss resulted from $55.2 million of after-tax restructuring charges recognized in 2026. Adjusted net income was $37.4 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, versus $31.3 million, or $1.37 per diluted share in the first half of 2025 (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share” section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income (loss) and reported earnings (loss) per diluted share and non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $52.7 million in the first half of 2026, down 51 percent from $108.6 million in the first half of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $124.1 million, up 14 percent, from $108.9 million in the first half of 2025 (see the "Reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported operating income and non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA). Below is a summary discussion of the major factors leading to the changes in net sales, expenses and income in the first half of 2026 compared to the first half of 2025. A detailed discussion of segment operating performance for the first half of 2026, compared to the first half of 2025, follows the summary.
Consolidated net sales increased $100.7 million, or eight percent, year-over-year. Higher average selling prices favorably impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $56.1 million. The increase in average selling prices was mainly attributable to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $42.4 million, due to a weaker U.S. dollar against all currencies in the
locations that the Company conducts its business. Consolidated sales volume increased less than one percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $2.2 million. Organic sales volume was up three percent year-over-year.
The Company incurred a $12.4 million operating loss in the first half of 2026 versus $46.3 million of operating income in the first half of 2025. Surfactant and Polymer operating income increased $10.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively, year-over-year. Specialty Products operating income decreased $1.0 million between years. Corporate expenses, including business restructuring, environmental remediation and deferred compensation expenses increased $74.3 million, year-over-year. Business restructuring expenses were $70.5 million in the first six months of 2026 versus no restructuring expenses recognized in the first six months of 2025. Foreign currency translation had a $3.4 million favorable impact on operating income year-over-year.
Operating expenses (including deferred compensation) increased $5.6 million or six percent year-over-year. Changes in the individual income statement line items that comprise the Company’s operating expenses were as follows:
Net interest expense for the first half of 2026 increased $1.1 million, or 11 percent, versus the first half of 2025. This increase was primarily attributable to lower U.S. capitalized interest income recognized in 2026 as the Company's new specialty alkoxylation facility in Pasadena, Texas started up in April 2025.
Other, net was $1.2 million of income in the first half of 2026 versus $1.8 million of income in the first half of 2025. The Company recognized $1.3 million of investment gains (including realized and unrealized gains and losses) for the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental defined contribution mutual fund assets in both the first half of 2026 and 2025. In addition, the Company reported $0.2 million of foreign exchange losses in the first half of 2026 versus less than $0.1 million of foreign exchange losses in the first half of 2025. The Company's net periodic pension income was less than $0.1 million in the first half of 2026 versus $0.5 million in the first half of 2025.
The Company’s effective tax rate was 15.7 percent in the first half of 2026 versus 19.2 percent in the first half of 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to the geographical mix of income partially offset by select uncertain tax positions that did not recur in the first half of 2026. These amounts had a more pronounced impact on the effective tax rate due to the pre-tax loss in the first half of 2026 versus pre-tax income in the first half of 2025.
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
95,796
(831
0
5,709
100,674
32
10,613
6,114
(1,044
15,683
104,371
31,222
73,149
234
(58,665
NM
Surfactant net sales for the first half of 2026 increased $95.8 million, or 11 percent, versus net sales for the first half of 2025. Higher average selling prices favorably impacted the change in net sales by $56.8 million. The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to the pass through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions. Sales volume increased less than one percent and positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $3.2 million. Organic sales volume increased four percent year-over-year. The Company believes a portion of the volume growth reflects customer pre-buying in response to geopolitical and product supply uncertainty. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $35.8 million. A comparison of net sales by region follows:
46,711
19,923
46,827
(17,665
-67
Net sales for North American operations increased $46.7 million, or 10 percent, year-over-year. Higher average selling prices had a $36.3 million favorable impact on the change in net sales and were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions. Sales volume increased two percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $10.0 million. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the industrial cleaning, crop productivity, and oilfield end markets, partially offset by lower demand for products sold into the commodity laundry and cleaning end markets. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted the change in net sales by $0.4 million.
Net sales for European operations increased $19.9 million, or 13 percent, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, higher average selling prices and a three percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $10.1 million, $5.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the European euro and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect. The higher average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs and pricing actions. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the commodity laundry and cleaning end markets.
Net sales for Latin American operations increased $46.8 million, or 27 percent, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, a nine percent increase in sales volume and higher average selling prices. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $25.2 million, $15.6 million and $6.0 million, respectively. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to all currencies within the region led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect. The increase in sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the commodity laundry and cleaning, industrial cleaning and crop productivity end markets and to our distribution partners. The higher average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs, more favorable product mix and pricing actions.
Net sales for Asian operations decreased $17.7 million, or 67 percent, year-over-year. An 81 percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $21.1 million. The lower sales volume was mainly due to the divestiture of assets in the Philippines during the fourth quarter of 2025. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales by $3.4 million. Foreign currency translation had a negligible impact year-over-year.
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Surfactant operating income for the first half of 2026 increased $10.6 million, or 25 percent, versus operating income for the first half of 2025. Gross profit increased $12.8 million, or 14 percent, and operating expenses increased $2.2 million, or four percent. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:
54,187
45,662
8,525
21,408
18,844
2,564
29,966
22,634
7,332
1,716
7,327
(5,611
-77
107,277
94,467
12,810
2,197
Gross profit for North American operations increased $8.5 million, or 19 percent, versus the prior year primarily due to higher average unit margins. The higher average unit margins positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $7.6 million and were primarily attributable to more favorable product mix, pricing actions, the initial benefits from Project Catalyst actions and the non-recurrence of an environmental reserve adjustment recognized in the second quarter of 2025. A two percent increase in sales volume positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.9 million.
Gross profit for European operations increased $2.6 million, or 14 percent, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, higher average unit margins and the three percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.4 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Gross profit for Latin American operations increased $7.3 million, or 32 percent, due to the favorable impact of the foreign currency translation, higher average unit margins and the nine percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $3.3 million, $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins were primarily due to a more favorable product mix.
Gross profit for Asia operations decreased $5.6 million year-over-year primarily due to the double-digit decrease in sales volume resulting from the asset divestiture in the Philippines during the fourth quarter of 2025. The decline in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $5.9 million. Higher average unit margins positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.3 million.
Operating expenses for the Surfactants segment increased $2.2 million, or four percent, in the first half of 2026 versus the first half of 2025. This increase reflects higher incentive-based compensation expenses that were partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $1.1 million USEPA penalty recognized in the second quarter of 2025. In addition, foreign currency translation had a $1.6 million unfavorable impact on the change in operating expenses year-over-year.
Polymers net sales for the first half of 2026 decreased $0.8 million, or less than one percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2025. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $4.7 million. A one percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the change in net sales by $2.4 million. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $6.3 million. A comparison of net sales by region follows:
10,003
(9,597
-8
22,148
23,385
(1,237
Net sales for North American operations increased $10.0 million, or six percent, year-over-year. Sales volume increased 10 percent and positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $16.5 million. Sales volume of polyols used in rigid foam applications and commodity phthalic anhydride increased 13 percent and 11 percent, respectively, year-over-year. Within rigid
34
applications, spray foam sales volume increased triple digits. Sales volume of specialty polyols decreased four percent. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $6.5 million.
Net sales for European operations decreased $9.6 million, or eight percent, year-over-year. An 11 percent decrease in sales volume and lower average selling prices negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $13.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The lower sales volume is due to lower construction demand related to the macroeconomic environment and economic uncertainties. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $5.1 million. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect.
Net sales for Asia and Other operations decreased $1.2 million, or five percent, primarily due to a nine percent decrease in sales volume and lower average selling prices. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $2.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted the change in net sales by $1.2 million.
Polymer operating income in the first half of 2026 increased $6.1 million, or 24 percent, versus operating income in the first half of 2025. Gross profit increased $6.9 million, or 17 percent and operating expenses increased $0.8 million or five percent year-over-year. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:
28,931
18,435
10,496
13,700
16,755
(3,055
-18
4,132
4,657
(525
-11
46,763
39,847
6,916
802
Gross profit for North American operations increased $10.5 million, or 57 percent, year-over-year. This increase was primarily due to higher average unit margins and the 10 percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $8.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins largely reflect the non-recurrence of high cost of inventory carryover incurred in the prior year.
Gross profit for European operations decreased $3.1 million, or 18 percent, versus the first half of 2025. This decrease was primarily due to the 11 percent decrease in sales volume and lower average unit margins. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.5 million.
Gross profit for Asia and Other operations decreased $0.5 million, or 11 percent, year-over year. This decrease was primarily due to the nine percent decrease in sales volume and lower average unit margins. These items negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.2 million.
Operating expenses for the Polymer segment increased $0.8 million, or five percent, year-over-year.
Specialty Products net sales for the first half of 2026 increased $5.7 million, or 15 percent, versus net sales for the first half of 2025. The increase was primarily due to a 15 percent increase in sales volume. Gross profit and operating income both decreased by $1.0 million. The year-over year decrease in both gross profit and operating income was primarily due to less favorable product mix within the MCT product line that was partially offset by higher earnings in the food and flavor business.
35
Corporate expenses, which include business restructuring, deferred compensation, and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, increased $74.3 million, year-over-year. Corporate expenses were $106.3 million in the first half of 2026 versus $32.0 million in the first half of 2025. The increase was primarily due to a $70.5 million restructuring charge recognized in the first half of 2026. See Note 16, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements for more details regarding the restructuring charge.
Deferred compensation expense increased $1.2 million year-over-year and was primarily due to an $8.36 per share increase in the market price of the Company's common stock during the first six months of 2026 versus a $10.12 per share decrease in the market price during the first six months of 2025.
The following table presents the period-end Company common stock market prices used in the computation of deferred compensation income/expense for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
2024
December 31
47.36
64.70
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the six months ended June 30, 2026, operating activities were a cash source of $25.3 million versus a cash source of $18.1 million for the comparable period in 2025. For the first six months of 2026, investing cash outflows totaled $46.3 million versus cash outflows of $51.5 million in the prior year period. Financing activities were a cash source of $1.2 million versus a cash source of $13.3 million in the prior year period.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $19.0 million compared to December 31, 2025, inclusive of an $0.8 million favorable foreign exchange rate impact. On June 30, 2026, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $113.7 million. Cash in non-U.S. money market funds, which were rated AAAm by Standard and Poor’s, Aaa-mf by Moody’s and AAAmmf by Fitch, totaled $10.5 million and cash in U.S. demand deposit accounts totaled $1.4 million. The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries held $101.8 million of cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026.
Operating Activities
Net income during the first six months of 2026 decreased $49.5 million versus the comparable period in 2025. Working capital was a cash use of $77.2 million during the first six months of 2026 versus a cash use of $74.7 million in the comparable period in 2025.
Accounts receivable were a cash use of $104.3 million during the first six months of 2026 compared to a cash use of $31.8 million for the comparable period in 2025. Inventories were a cash use of $24.2 million in 2026 versus a cash use of $30.7 million in 2025. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were a cash source of $56.4 million in 2026 compared to a cash use of $1.6 million for the same period in 2025.
Working capital requirements were higher in the first six months of 2026 compared to 2025 primarily due to the changes noted above. The change in accounts receivable working capital primarily reflects higher sales volume and higher selling prices due to the pass through of higher raw material costs. The change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily reflects higher trade payables due to escalating raw material costs. It is management’s opinion that the Company’s liquidity is sufficient to provide for potential increases in working capital requirements during 2026.
Investing Activities
Cash used for investing activities decreased $5.2 million year-over-year primarily due to lower capital expenditures in the first six months of 2026 versus the same period of 2025.
For 2026, the Company estimates that total capital expenditures will be in the range of $100.0 million to $110.0 million.
Financing Activities
Cash flow from financing activities was a source of $1.2 million in 2026 versus a source of $13.3 million in 2025. The year-over-year change reflects higher borrowings from the Company's revolving credit agreement during the first six months of 2026 versus the prior year period. These higher credit facility borrowings were more than offset by the non-recurrence of $75.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in the second quarter of 2025.
The Company purchases shares of its common stock in the open market or from its benefit plans from time to time to fund its own benefit plans and to mitigate the dilutive effect of new shares issued under its compensation plans. The Company may, from time to time, seek to purchase additional amounts of its outstanding equity and/or retire debt securities through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock on the open market during the six months ended June 30, 2026. At June 30, 2026, the Company had $125.1 million remaining under the share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors.
Debt and Credit Facilities
Consolidated balance sheet debt increased $20.7 million, from $626.7 million on December 31, 2025 to $647.4 million on June 30, 2026, primarily due to higher domestic borrowings from the Company's revolving credit facility. Net debt (which is defined as total debt minus cash – see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt” section of this MD&A) was $533.7 million on June 30, 2026 versus $494.0 million at December 31, 2025.
As of June 30, 2026, the ratio of net debt to net debt plus shareholders’ equity was 31.0 percent versus 28.0 percent at December 31, 2025 (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt” section in this MD&A for further details). On June 30, 2026, the Company’s debt included $303.4 million of unsecured notes, with maturities ranging from 2026 through 2033, that were issued to insurance companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements (the “Note Purchase Agreements”), an $80.0 million delayed-draw term loan borrowed pursuant to the Company’s credit agreement, $264.0 million of short-term loans borrowed under the Company’s revolving credit facility and no foreign credit line borrowings. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $13.3 million, inclusive of $4.6 million issued under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The proceeds from the note issuances have been the Company’s primary source of long-term debt financing and are supplemented by borrowings under bank credit facilities to meet short and medium-term liquidity needs.
The Company’s credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks provides for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million, consisting of (a) a $350.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $100.0 million delayed draw term loan credit facility ($20.0 million of the term loan principal has been permanently repaid as scheduled), each of which matures on June 24, 2027. The Company's credit agreement with Credit Industriel et Commercial NY (the CIC Credit Agreement) provides for a credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $8.7 million. The facility is for the sole purpose of the issuance of standby letters of credit. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $8.7 million under the CIC Credit Agreement. The Company also maintains import and export letters of credit and standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the Credit Agreement. These outstanding letters of credit totaled $4.6 million at June 30, 2026.
The Company anticipates that cash from operations, committed credit facilities and cash on hand will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures, working capital, dividends and other planned financial commitments for the foreseeable future.
Certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company maintain short-term bank lines of credit in their respective local currencies to meet working capital requirements as well as to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. At June 30, 2026, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries had no outstanding debt.
The Company is subject to covenants under its material debt agreements that require the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and minimum net worth. These debt covenants also limit the incurrence of additional debt as well as the payment of dividends and repurchase of shares. Under the most restrictive of these debt covenants:
1.
The Company is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, as defined within the agreements, of 3.50 to 1.00, for the preceding four calendar quarters.
2.
The Company is required to maintain an existing maximum net leverage ratio, as defined within the agreements, not to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.
3.
The Company is required to maintain net worth of at least $750.0 million.
4.
The Company is permitted to pay dividends and purchase treasury shares after June 24, 2022, in amounts of up to $100.0 million plus 100 percent of net income and cash proceeds of stock option exercises, measured cumulatively beginning January 1, 2022. The maximum amount of dividends that could have been paid within this limitation is disclosed as unrestricted retained earnings in Note 14, Debt, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).
The Company believes it was in compliance with the covenants under its material debt agreements as of June 30, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL MATTERS
The Company’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and similar laws in the other countries in which the Company does business. Although the Company's environmental policies and practices are designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, future developments and increasingly stringent environmental regulation may require the Company to make additional unforeseen environmental expenditures. The Company will continue to invest in the equipment and facilities necessary to comply with existing and future regulations. During the first six months of 2026 and 2025, the Company’s expenditures for capital projects related to environmental matters were $1.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. These projects are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which are typically 10 years. Recurring costs associated with the operation and maintenance of facilities for waste treatment and disposal and managing environmental compliance in ongoing operations at the Company’s manufacturing locations were $22.1 million and $21.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by the government as a potentially responsible party at a number of waste disposal sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred under CERCLA and similar state or foreign statutes. In addition, the Company is from time to time involved in routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including personal injury, property damage, tax, trade and labor matters. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely to incur with respect to these claims. It is the Company’s accounting policy to record liabilities when environmental assessments, remediation expenses or legal proceeding losses are probable, and the cost or range of possible costs can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum is accrued. Estimating the possible costs of environmental remediation requires making assumptions related to the nature and extent of contamination and the methods and resulting costs of remediation. Some of the factors on which the Company bases its estimates include information provided by decisions rendered by State and Federal environmental regulatory agencies, information provided by feasibility studies, and remedial action plans developed. After partial remediation payments at certain sites, the Company has estimated a range of possible environmental and legal losses of $19.6 million to $46.5 million at June 30, 2026 and $19.3 million to $46.0 million at December 31, 2025. Within the range of possible environmental and legal losses, management has currently concluded that no single amount is more likely to occur than any other amounts in the range and, thus, has accrued at the lower end of the range. The Company's environmental and legal accruals totaled $19.6 million at June 30, 2026 and $19.3 million at December 31, 2025. Because the liabilities accrued are estimates, actual amounts could differ materially from the amounts reported. Cash expenditures related to environmental remediation and certain other legal matters approximated $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2025.
For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Based on the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, management believes that the Company has no material liability at these sites and that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. Certain of these matters are discussed in Item 1, Part 2, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Legal Proceedings, in this report and in other filings of the Company with the SEC, which are available upon request from the Company. See also Note 8, Contingencies, in the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for a summary of the significant environmental proceedings related to certain sites.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company’s performance and financial condition. Internally, the Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in analyzing what management views as the Company’s core operating performance for purposes of business decision making. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP
financial measures provides investors with useful supplemental information because they (i) provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding items affecting comparability between periods, (ii) permit investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions and evaluate the Company’s core operating performance across periods, and (iii) otherwise provide supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial results. In addition, the Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those GAAP financial measures, provides investors with additional tools to understand the factors and trends affecting the Company’s underlying business than could be obtained absent these disclosures. These measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. For example, the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this Form 10-Q may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures the same way as the Company does.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share
Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted net income metric to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items. The cumulative tax effect is typically calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the transactions occurred.
Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2025
Net Income
Diluted EPS
Net Income Attributable to the Company as Reported
22.9
11.3
Deferred Compensation (Income)/Expense (including related investment activity)
Environmental Remediation Expense
0.7
0.02
Business Restructuring
5.1
0.22
Total Pre-tax Adjustments
5.3
0.8
Cumulative Tax Effect on Above Adjustment Items
(1.1
(0.04
Adjusted Net Income
27.1
1.18
12.0
0.52
Six Months Ended
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company as Reported
(18.5
31.1
0.03
(0.5
(0.02
70.6
3.08
71.5
3.11
0.3
0.01
(15.6
(0.67
37.4
1.63
31.3
1.37
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Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Management uses the non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA metric to evaluate the Company's operating performance. Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items. Refer to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for a bridge between Operating Income and Net Income.
($ in millions)
Depreciation and Amortization
30.9
Other, Net Income
1.0
1.3
EBITDA
69.1
50.6
Deferred Compensation
Environmental Remediation
Adjusted EBITDA
74.4
51.4
63.9
60.5
1.8
52.7
108.6
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)
70.5
124.1
108.9
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Net Debt
Management uses the non-GAAP net debt metric to show a more complete picture of the Company’s overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage level.
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt as Reported
403.3
285.7
Long-Term Debt as Reported
244.1
341.0
Total Debt as Reported
647.4
626.7
Less Cash and Cash Equivalents as Reported
(113.7
(132.7
Net Debt
533.7
494.0
Equity
1,212.0
1,244.0
Net Debt plus Equity
1,745.7
1,738.0
Net Debt/Net Debt plus Equity
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no material changes to the market risks described in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
We have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of June 30, 2026. Based on this evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2026, such that the information required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Exchange Act and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2026 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
SEC regulations require the Company to disclose certain information about administrative or judicial proceedings involving certain environmental matters to which a governmental authority is a party if the Company reasonably believes that such proceedings may result in monetary sanctions above a specified threshold. Pursuant to SEC regulations, the Company has adopted a threshold of $1.0 million for purposes of determining whether disclosure of any such proceedings is required. The Company believes that this threshold is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of any such proceedings that are material to its business or financial condition.
Developments in the Company's legal proceedings are described below:
On March 19, 2025, the Company received a pre-filing notice from USEPA for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) associated with certain of the Company’s biocide products sold by a licensed distributor. USEPA assessed a civil penalty of $1.1 million, which the Company paid on July 2, 2025. As of June 30, 2026, the Company recovered the entire amount of the USEPA penalty from third parties.
There have been no other material changes to the legal proceedings disclosed in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A – Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Below is a summary by month of share purchases by the Company during the second quarter of 2026:
Month
Total Numberof Shares Purchased
Average PricePaid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
April 2026
51.76
125,050,905
May 2026
212
50.86
June 2026
(3)
52.72
719
51.88
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
Item 5 – Other Information
During the three months ended June 30, 2026, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 6 – Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
–
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.2
Certification of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a- 14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbases Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
42
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: August 5, 2026
/s/ Ruben D. Velasquez
Ruben D. Velasquez
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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