Celanese (NYSE:CE) Trading Up 8.3% – Still a Buy?

Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE)’s share price was up 8.3% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $55.93 and last traded at $55.39. Approximately 1,085,450 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 55% from the average daily volume of 2,426,449 shares. The stock had previously closed at $51.15.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on CE shares. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Celanese in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho increased their target price on Celanese from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Celanese from $48.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Zacks Research cut Celanese from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Celanese from $63.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $59.35.

Celanese Stock Performance

The company’s 50-day moving average price is $49.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.40 billion, a PE ratio of -4.65, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.55.

Celanese (NYSE:CE) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The basic materials company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.89 by ($0.22). Celanese had a negative net margin of 12.15% and a positive return on equity of 8.75%. The company had revenue of $2.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.45 EPS. Celanese’s quarterly revenue was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Celanese has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.700-0.850 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Celanese Corporation will post 8.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Celanese Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. Celanese’s dividend payout ratio is -1.13%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Chuck Kyrish bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $41.03 per share, for a total transaction of $205,150.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer directly owned 10,914 shares in the company, valued at $447,801.42. This trade represents a 84.55% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Celanese

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Celanese by 111.1% in the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 513 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Celanese by 55.4% in the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 623 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 222 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of Celanese in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Celanese by 140.4% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 827 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 483 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in shares of Celanese in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. 98.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Celanese Company Profile

Celanese Corporation is a global chemical and specialty materials company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of products serving diverse industries. The company operates through two primary business segments—Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain—offering solutions that range from high-performance polymers and specialty additives to industrial chemicals and intermediates. Its engineered materials are used in applications such as automotive components, consumer electronics, medical devices and packaging, while its acetyl derivatives find uses in coatings, adhesives, solvents and personal care products.

In the Engineered Materials segment, Celanese produces a variety of high-performance thermoplastics, polyether-block-amide (PEBA) elastomers and functional additives designed to enhance product durability, thermal resistance and sustainability.