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Stepan Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

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Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) reported strong Q1 2025 results with net income up 42% to $19.7 million. The company achieved notable growth with global sales volume increasing 4% year-over-year and adjusted EBITDA rising 12% to $57.5 million.

Key highlights include:

  • Net sales increased 8% to $593.3 million
  • Surfactants segment saw 10% growth with sales of $430.3 million
  • Polymers segment remained flat at $146.1 million despite 7% volume growth
  • Specialty Products grew 11% to $16.8 million

The company's new Pasadena, Texas facility is now operational, supporting specialty alkoxylation business growth. CEO Luis E. Rojo expressed optimism about continued earnings improvement, citing double-digit volume growth in Agricultural and Oilfield markets. Despite negative free cash flow of $25.8 million due to higher working capital requirements, management remains confident about delivering full-year adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow in 2025.

Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) ha riportato risultati solidi nel primo trimestre 2025 con un utile netto in aumento del 42% a 19,7 milioni di dollari. L'azienda ha registrato una crescita significativa con un incremento del 4% del volume globale di vendite su base annua e un EBITDA rettificato in crescita del 12% a 57,5 milioni di dollari.

I punti salienti includono:

  • Le vendite nette sono aumentate dell'8% raggiungendo 593,3 milioni di dollari
  • Il segmento dei tensioattivi ha registrato una crescita del 10% con vendite pari a 430,3 milioni di dollari
  • Il segmento dei polimeri è rimasto stabile a 146,1 milioni di dollari nonostante una crescita del volume del 7%
  • I prodotti speciali sono cresciuti dell'11% raggiungendo 16,8 milioni di dollari

La nuova struttura di Pasadena, Texas, è ora operativa e supporta la crescita del business degli alcolossilati speciali. Il CEO Luis E. Rojo si è mostrato ottimista riguardo al continuo miglioramento degli utili, citando una crescita a doppia cifra dei volumi nei mercati agricoli e petroliferi. Nonostante un flusso di cassa libero negativo di 25,8 milioni di dollari dovuto a maggiori esigenze di capitale circolante, la direzione resta fiduciosa nel raggiungimento della crescita dell'EBITDA rettificato e di un flusso di cassa libero positivo per l'intero anno 2025.

Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) reportó resultados sólidos en el primer trimestre de 2025 con un ingreso neto que aumentó un 42% hasta 19,7 millones de dólares. La compañía logró un crecimiento notable con un incremento del 4% en el volumen global de ventas año tras año y un EBITDA ajustado que creció un 12% hasta 57,5 millones de dólares.

Los aspectos destacados incluyen:

  • Las ventas netas aumentaron un 8% hasta 593,3 millones de dólares
  • El segmento de tensioactivos creció un 10% con ventas de 430,3 millones de dólares
  • El segmento de polímeros se mantuvo estable en 146,1 millones de dólares a pesar de un crecimiento del volumen del 7%
  • Los productos especializados crecieron un 11% hasta 16,8 millones de dólares

La nueva planta en Pasadena, Texas, ya está operativa, apoyando el crecimiento del negocio de alcoxiación especializada. El CEO Luis E. Rojo expresó optimismo sobre la mejora continua de las ganancias, citando un crecimiento de volumen de dos dígitos en los mercados agrícola y petrolero. A pesar de un flujo de caja libre negativo de 25,8 millones de dólares debido a mayores requerimientos de capital de trabajo, la gerencia mantiene la confianza en lograr un crecimiento del EBITDA ajustado y un flujo de caja libre positivo para todo el año 2025.

스테판 컴퍼니 (NYSE: SCL)는 2025년 1분기 강력한 실적을 발표하며 순이익이 42% 증가한 1,970만 달러를 기록했습니다. 회사는 전년 대비 4% 증가한 글로벌 판매량과 12% 상승한 5,750만 달러의 조정 EBITDA를 달성하며 눈에 띄는 성장을 이루었습니다.

주요 내용은 다음과 같습니다:

  • 순매출은 8% 증가하여 5억 9,330만 달러를 기록
  • 계면활성제 부문은 10% 성장하여 4억 3,030만 달러 매출 달성
  • 폴리머 부문은 7% 판매량 증가에도 불구하고 1억 4,610만 달러로 유지
  • 특수 제품은 11% 성장하여 1,680만 달러 기록

텍사스 파사데나에 새로 개설된 시설이 가동 중이며, 특수 알콕실화 사업의 성장을 지원하고 있습니다. CEO 루이스 E. 로조는 농업 및 유전 시장에서 두 자릿수 판매량 증가를 언급하며 수익 개선에 대해 낙관적인 전망을 밝혔습니다. 높은 운전자본 요구로 인해 2,580만 달러의 마이너스 자유현금흐름이 발생했음에도 불구하고, 경영진은 2025년 연간 조정 EBITDA 성장과 긍정적인 자유현금흐름 달성을 자신하고 있습니다.

Stepan Company (NYSE : SCL) a annoncé de solides résultats pour le premier trimestre 2025, avec un bénéfice net en hausse de 42 % à 19,7 millions de dollars. L'entreprise a enregistré une croissance notable avec une augmentation de 4 % du volume des ventes mondiales d'une année sur l'autre et un EBITDA ajusté en hausse de 12 % à 57,5 millions de dollars.

Les points clés sont :

  • Les ventes nettes ont augmenté de 8 % pour atteindre 593,3 millions de dollars
  • Le segment des tensioactifs a connu une croissance de 10 % avec des ventes de 430,3 millions de dollars
  • Le segment des polymères est resté stable à 146,1 millions de dollars malgré une croissance de volume de 7 %
  • Les produits spécialisés ont progressé de 11 % pour atteindre 16,8 millions de dollars

La nouvelle installation de Pasadena, Texas, est désormais opérationnelle, soutenant la croissance du secteur des alkoxylations spécialisées. Le PDG Luis E. Rojo s'est montré optimiste quant à l'amélioration continue des bénéfices, citant une croissance à deux chiffres des volumes dans les marchés agricoles et pétroliers. Malgré un flux de trésorerie disponible négatif de 25,8 millions de dollars dû à des besoins plus élevés en fonds de roulement, la direction reste confiante quant à la réalisation d'une croissance de l'EBITDA ajusté et d'un flux de trésorerie disponible positif pour l'année 2025.

Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) meldete starke Ergebnisse für das erste Quartal 2025 mit einem Nettogewinnanstieg von 42 % auf 19,7 Millionen US-Dollar. Das Unternehmen erzielte ein bemerkenswertes Wachstum mit einem globalen Absatzvolumenanstieg von 4 % im Jahresvergleich und einem um 12 % gestiegenen bereinigten EBITDA von 57,5 Millionen US-Dollar.

Wichtige Highlights sind:

  • Der Nettoumsatz stieg um 8 % auf 593,3 Millionen US-Dollar
  • Das Tensidsegment verzeichnete ein Wachstum von 10 % mit einem Umsatz von 430,3 Millionen US-Dollar
  • Das Polymersegment blieb trotz eines Volumenwachstums von 7 % mit 146,1 Millionen US-Dollar stabil
  • Spezialprodukte wuchsen um 11 % auf 16,8 Millionen US-Dollar

Die neue Anlage des Unternehmens in Pasadena, Texas, ist nun in Betrieb und unterstützt das Wachstum des Spezialalkoxylationsgeschäfts. CEO Luis E. Rojo zeigte sich optimistisch hinsichtlich einer weiteren Ergebnisverbesserung und verwies auf zweistelliges Volumenwachstum in den Agrar- und Ölmarktsegmenten. Trotz eines negativen freien Cashflows von 25,8 Millionen US-Dollar aufgrund erhöhter Working-Capital-Anforderungen bleibt das Management zuversichtlich, das bereinigte EBITDA-Wachstum für das Gesamtjahr und einen positiven freien Cashflow im Jahr 2025 zu erreichen.

Positive
  • Net income increased 42% to $19.7M vs prior year
  • Global sales volume up 4% year-over-year
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew 12% to $57.5M
  • Double-digit volume growth in Agricultural and Oilfield end markets
  • New Pasadena, Texas facility now operational for specialty alkoxylation business
  • Surfactant sales increased 10% to $430.3M
  • Polymer volume grew 7% during the quarter
  • Effective tax rate decreased to 20.1% from 28.6%
Negative
  • Negative free cash flow of $25.8M due to higher working capital requirements
  • Polymer operating income decreased 4% vs prior year
  • Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 3-5%
  • Polymer selling prices decreased 7% due to lower raw material costs and competitive pressures
  • High cost inventory carryover affecting Polymer segment performance

Insights

Stepan delivered strong Q1 results with net income up 42%, driven by Surfactants and Specialty Products despite temporary negative free cash flow.

Stepan Company's Q1 2025 results demonstrate substantial financial improvement across key metrics. The reported net income of $19.7 million represents a 42% year-over-year increase, while adjusted net income reached $19.3 million, up 32%. This translated to diluted EPS of $0.86, a 41% improvement.

Revenue grew 8% to $593.3 million, driven by a 4% increase in global sales volume and higher selling prices, partially offset by negative foreign currency translation. The company's operational performance was impressive, with EBITDA of $58.0 million (up 16%) and adjusted EBITDA of $57.5 million (up 12%).

Segment performance reveals the growth drivers: Surfactants delivered strong results with 10% higher sales and 11% increased operating income, benefiting from double-digit growth in Agricultural and Oilfield end markets. Specialty Products excelled with 11% sales growth and 29% higher operating income. However, Polymers showed mixed results with flat sales and a 4% decline in operating income despite 7% volume growth, hampered by less favorable product mix and high-cost inventory.

The quarter's negative free cash flow of $25.8 million warrants attention. This resulted from higher working capital investments to support business growth and prepare for potential tariff impacts. This appears to be a strategic investment rather than an operational weakness, though the efficiency of this capital deployment will be important to monitor.

A significant tax rate reduction to 20.1% from 28.6% last year, driven by a tax audit settlement, provided additional earnings support. The newly operational Pasadena, Texas facility represents a strategic asset expected to drive volume growth and supply chain savings in the second half of 2025.

Management's outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with expectations for full-year adjusted EBITDA and net income growth despite market uncertainties including potential tariff impacts. The strong start to 2025 with broad-based volume growth positions Stepan well to execute its business strategies focused on improved execution and accelerated free cash flow generation.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

  • Reported net income was $19.7 million, up 42% versus the prior year. Adjusted net income(1) was $19.3 million, up 32% versus the prior year.
  • EBITDA(2) was $58.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA(2) was $57.5 million, up 16% and 12% respectively, year-over-year.
  • Global sales volume was up 4% year-over-year.
  • Cash from Operations was $6.9 million during the quarter. Free cash flow(3) for the quarter was a negative $25.8 million driven by higher working capital to support business growth and in anticipation of tariffs.

"I am encouraged by the earnings and volume growth we delivered in the first quarter.  Volume growth was broad-based as Surfactants, Polymers and the Specialty Products MCT business were all up," said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "First quarter adjusted EBITDA grew double digits driven by the Surfactant and Specialty Product businesses.  In Surfactants, we continued to experience double-digit volume growth within the Agricultural and Oilfield end markets and with our Distribution partners.  We are encouraged by this growth within several of our key strategic end markets.  Polymer volume was up 7% during the quarter. North American and European Rigid Polyol, Specialty Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride all delivered volume growth during the quarter.  Free cash flow was negative due to typically higher working capital requirements in the first quarter.  Our new Pasadena, Texas site, which will support the growth of our specialty alkoxylation business, is now operational.  We are pleased with the start of 2025 and remain focused on continued earnings improvement."

Financial Summary



Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands, except per share data)


2025



2024



%
Change


Net Sales


$

593,255



$

551,418




8

%

Operating Income


$

28,288



$

20,169




40

%

Net Income


$

19,711



$

13,893




42

%

Earnings per Diluted Share


$

0.86



$

0.61




41

%











Adjusted Net Income *


$

19,310



$

14,656




32

%

Adjusted Earnings per
   Diluted Share *


$

0.84



$

0.64




31

%



* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.




Percentage Change in Net Sales

Net sales in the first quarter of 2025 increased 8% year-over-year.  This increase reflects a 4% increase in sales volume and higher selling prices that were partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation. 



Three Months Ended
March 31, 2025


Volume



4

%

Selling Price & Mix



7

%

Foreign Translation



(3)

%

Total



8

%


Segment Results



Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands)


2025



2024



%
Change


Net Sales










Surfactants


$

430,337



$

390,820




10

%

Polymers


$

146,116



$

145,508




0

%

Specialty Products


$

16,802



$

15,090




11

%

Total Net Sales


$

593,255



$

551,418




8

%

 



Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax)


2025



2024



%
Change


Operating Income










Surfactants


$

28,930



$

26,079




11

%

Polymers


$

8,018



$

8,382




(4)

%

Specialty Products


$

5,508



$

4,268




29

%

Total Segment
   Operating Income


$

42,456



$

38,729




10

%

Corporate Expenses


$

(14,168)



$

(18,560)




(24)

%

Consolidated
   Operating Income


$

28,288



$

20,169




40

%

 



Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in millions)


2025



2024



%
Change


EBITDA


$

58.0



$

50.2




16

%











Adjusted EBITDA










   Surfactants


$

48.3



$

43.8




10

%

   Polymers


$

16.1



$

16.4




(2)

%

   Specialty Products


$

7.0



$

5.8




21

%

   Unallocated Corporate


$

(13.9)



$

(14.8)




(6)

%

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA


$

57.5



$

51.2




12

%


Consolidated operating income in the quarter increased $8.1 million, or 40%, year-over-year.  Consolidated adjusted EBITDA(2) increased $6.3 million, or 12%, year-over-year driven by improved Surfactant product/customer mix, sales volume growth and the non-recurrence of prior year operational interruptions at the Millsdale plant site. Despite 7% volume growth, Polymer EBITDA was down slightly due to less favorable product mix and high cost inventory carryover.     

  • Surfactant net sales were $430.3 million for the quarter, a 10% increase versus the prior year. Selling prices were up 12% primarily due to improved product and customer mix and the pass through of higher raw material costs. Sales volume was up 3% year-over-year primarily due to double digit growth within the Agricultural and Oilfield end markets along with our distribution partners. This growth was partially offset by lower demand within the commodity Consumer Products end markets. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales by 5%. Surfactant operating income for the quarter increased $2.9 million, or 11%, versus the prior year. Surfactant adjusted EBITDA(2) increased $4.5 million, or 10%, versus the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the 3% growth in sales volume, improved product/customer mix and the non-recurrence of prior year operational interruptions at the Millsdale plant site.

  • Polymer net sales were $146.1 million for the quarter, flat versus the prior year. Selling prices decreased 7%, primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and competitive pressures. Sales volume increased 7% in the quarter. North American and European Rigid Polyol, Specialty Polyols and commodity Phthalic Anhydride sales volume was up year-over-year. Foreign currency translation had a nominal impact on net sales during the quarter. Polymer operating income decreased $0.4 million, or 4%, versus the prior year. Polymer adjusted EBITDA(2) decreased $0.3 million, or 2%, versus the prior year primarily due to less favorable product mix and high cost inventory carryover.

  • Specialty Product net sales were $16.8 million for the quarter, an 11% increase versus the prior year, primarily due to higher selling prices. Specialty Product operating income increased $1.2 million, or 29%, versus the prior year. Specialty Product adjusted EBITDA(2) increased $1.2 million, or 21%. The increase in adjusted EBITDA(2) was primarily due to margin recovery within the medium chain triglycerides product line.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was 20.1% in the first quarter of 2025 versus 28.6% in the first quarter of 2024.  This decrease was primarily attributable to favorable discrete items associated with a tax audit settlement.   

Outlook

"Looking forward, we remain focused on accelerating our business strategies through improved execution to grow volume, improve product and customer mix and accelerate free cash flow generation.  We believe our Surfactant business will experience continued growth in our key strategic end markets and that Polymer demand will continue improving as we get more market certainty and we execute our innovation and growth plans.  Our Pasadena facility is now operational, and as we have previously communicated, this should enable us to deliver volume growth and Supply Chain savings during the second half of the year,"  said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Despite all the current market uncertainties, including the impact of tariffs, we remain cautiously optimistic that we will deliver full year Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income growth and positive free cash flow in 2025."

Notes

(1) Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures which exclude deferred compensation income/expense, certain environmental remediation-related costs as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

(2) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.  See Table VI for calculations and GAAP reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

(3) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and reflects cash generated from operations minus capital expenditures.  Cash generated from operations was $6.9 million during the first quarter of 2025 and capital expenditures were $32.7 million

Conference Call

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter results at 8:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. CT) on April 29, 2025. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. To access the call by phone, please click on this Registration Link, complete the form and you will be provided with dial in details and a PIN.  To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.  The webcast can be accessed through the Investors/Conference Calls page at www.stepan.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available at the same location shortly after the call.

Supporting Slides

Slides supporting this press release will be made available at www.stepan.com through the Investors/Presentations page at approximately the same time as this press release is issued.

Corporate Profile

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com

Certain information in this news release consists of 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. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's 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, Stepan 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, you can identify forward-looking statements 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 Stepan 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 Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to  accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in global trade policies, including tariffs; legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Tables follow

Table I


STEPAN COMPANY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

(Unaudited – in 000's, except per share data)




Three Months Ended
March 31,




2025



2024


Net Sales


$

593,255



$

551,418


Cost of Sales



517,792




481,137


Gross Profit



75,463




70,281


Operating Expenses:







Selling



12,108




11,388


Administrative



21,414




22,690


Research, Development and Technical Services



14,649




14,256


Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)



(996)




1,778





47,175




50,112









Operating Income



28,288




20,169









Other Income (Expense):







Interest, Net



(4,126)




(3,071)


Other, Net



502




2,362





(3,624)




(709)









Income Before Provision for Income Taxes



24,664




19,460


Provision for Income Taxes



4,953




5,567


Net Income



19,711




13,893


Net Income Per Common Share







Basic


$

0.86



$

0.61


Diluted


$

0.86



$

0.61


Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per
   Common Share







Basic



22,867




22,824


Diluted



22,890




22,948


 

Table II


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share*




Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands, except per share amounts)


2025



EPS



2024



EPS


Net Income Reported


$

19,711



$

0.86



$

13,893



$

0.61















Deferred Compensation
   (Income) Expense


$

(470)



$

(0.02)



$

(388)



$

(0.02)


Environmental Remediation
    Expense


$

69



$

0.00



$

1,151



$

0.05


Adjusted Net Income


$

19,310



$

0.84



$

14,656



$

0.64



* All amounts in this table are presented after-tax


The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company's operating performance and financial condition.  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 believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information because they exclude non-operational items that affect comparability between years.  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 may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 contains additional information regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures.

Summary of First Quarter 2025 Adjusted Net Income Items

Adjusted net income excludes non-operational deferred compensation income/expense, certain environmental remediation costs and other significant and infrequent or non-recurring items.

  • Deferred Compensation: The first quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $0.5 million of after-tax income versus $0.4 million of after-tax income in the prior year.

  • Environmental Remediation: The first quarter of 2025 reported net income includes $0.1 million of after-tax expense versus $1.2 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

 

Table III


Reconciliation of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments


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 was calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the transactions occurred.




Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands, except per share amounts)


2025



EPS



2024



EPS


Pre-Tax Adjustments













Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense


$

(626)






$

(517)





Environmental Remediation Expense


$

92






$

1,534





   Total Pre-Tax Adjustments


$

(534)






$

1,017


















Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments


$

133






$

(254)


















After-Tax Adjustments


$

(401)



$

(0.02)



$

763



$

0.03



















 

Table IV


Deferred Compensation Plans


The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was $0.6 million of income versus $0.5 million of income in the prior year.  The quarter-end market prices of Company stock and the impact of deferred compensation on specific income statement line items is summarized below:




2025



2024




3/31



12/31



9/30



6/30



3/31


Stepan Company


$

55.04



$

64.70



$

77.25



$

83.96



$

90.04























 



Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands)


2025



2024


Deferred Compensation







Operating Income (Expense)


$

996



$

(1,778)


Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)



(370)




2,295


Total Pre-Tax


$

626



$

517


Total After-Tax


$

470



$

388




 

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation


The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. These results are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period.  The table below presents the impact that foreign currency translation had on select income statement line items. 


($ in millions)


Three Months Ended
March 31,



Change



Change
Due to
Foreign
Currency
Translation




2025



2024








Net Sales


$

593.3



$

551.4



$

41.9



$

(18.5)


Gross Profit



75.5




70.3



$

5.2




(2.7)


Operating Income



28.3




20.2



$

8.1




(1.8)


Pretax Income



24.7




19.5



$

5.2




(1.9)


 

Corporate Expenses




Three Months Ended
March 31,


($ in thousands)


2025



2024



%
Change


Total Corporate Expenses


$

14,168



$

18,560




(24)

%

Less:










   Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense


$

(996)



$

1,778




(156)

%

   Environmental Remediation
      Expense


$

92



$

1,534




(94)

%

Adjusted Corporate Expenses


$

15,072



$

15,248




(1)

%



Adjusted Corporate expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 1% for the quarter.

Table V


Stepan Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024




March 31, 2025



December 31,
2024


ASSETS







Current Assets


$

897,156



$

810,429


Property, Plant & Equipment, Net



1,202,245




1,198,454


Other Assets



290,282




295,765


Total Assets


$

2,389,683



$

2,304,648


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY







Current Liabilities


$

739,480



$

669,034


Deferred Income Taxes



9,677




9,612


Long-term Debt



330,799




332,632


Other Non-current Liabilities



109,189




123,436


Total Stepan Company Stockholders' Equity



1,200,538




1,169,934


Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity


$

2,389,683



$

2,304,648




 

Selected Balance Sheet Information


The Company's total debt increased by $33.9 million and cash increased by $7.8 million versus December  31, 2024.  The Company's net debt level increased $26.1 million versus December 31, 2024 and the net debt ratio remained constant at 31% in the quarter (Net Debt and Net Debt Ratio are non-GAAP measures, reconciliations of which are shown in the table below).  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. 


($ in millions)

March 31,
2025



December 31,
2024


Net Debt






Total Debt

$

659.3



$

625.4


Cash


107.5




99.7


Net Debt

$

551.8



$

525.7


Equity


1,200.5




1,169.9


Net Debt + Equity

$

1,752.3



$

1,695.6


Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)


31

%



31

%

 

The major working capital components were:


($ in millions)

March 31,
2025



December 31,
2024


Net Receivables

$

436.5



$

388.0


Inventories


309.3




288.7


Accounts Payable


(298.1)




(258.8)



$

447.7



$

417.9


 

Table VI


Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA


Management uses the non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA metrics 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 Income Statement on Table I for a bridge between Operating Income and Net Income.




Three Months Ended
March 31, 2025


















($ in millions)


Surfactants



Polymers



Specialty
Products



Unallocated
Corporate



Consolidated


Operating Income


$

28.9



$

8.0



$

5.5



$

(14.2)



$

28.2


   Depreciation and Amortization


$

19.4



$

8.1



$

1.5



$

0.3



$

29.3


   Other, Net Income


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

0.5



$

0.5


EBITDA














$

58.0


   Deferred Compensation


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

(0.6)



$

(0.6)


   Environmental Remediation


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

0.1



$

0.1


Adjusted EBITDA


$

48.3



$

16.1



$

7.0



$

(13.9)



$

57.5




















Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024


















($ in millions)


Surfactants



Polymers



Specialty
Products



Unallocated
Corporate



Consolidated


Operating Income


$

26.1



$

8.4



$

4.3



$

(18.6)



$

20.2


   Depreciation and Amortization


$

17.7



$

8.0



$

1.5



$

0.4



$

27.6


   Other, Net Income


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

2.4



$

2.4


EBITDA














$

50.2


   Deferred Compensation


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

(0.5)



$

(0.5)


   Environmental Remediation


$

-



$

-



$

-



$

1.5



$

1.5


Adjusted EBITDA


$

43.8



$

16.4



$

5.8



$

(14.8)



$

51.2


 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stepan-reports-first-quarter-2025-results-302440588.html

SOURCE Stepan Company

FAQ

How much did Stepan (SCL) earnings grow in Q1 2025?

Stepan's reported net income grew 42% to $19.7 million in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, with adjusted net income up 32% to $19.3 million. Earnings per diluted share increased 41% to $0.86.

What drove Stepan (SCL) revenue growth in first quarter 2025?

Stepan's 8% revenue growth in Q1 2025 was driven by a 4% increase in sales volume, higher selling prices, partially offset by negative foreign currency impact. Surfactants segment led with 10% growth, while Specialty Products grew 11%.

Why was Stepan (SCL) free cash flow negative in Q1 2025?

Stepan reported negative free cash flow of $25.8 million in Q1 2025 due to higher working capital requirements to support business growth and preparation for anticipated tariffs. Cash from operations was $6.9 million while capital expenditures were $32.7 million.

What is the outlook for Stepan (SCL) stock in 2025?

Management expects full year Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income growth with positive free cash flow in 2025, driven by continued growth in strategic markets, improving polymer demand, and operational benefits from the new Pasadena facility in second half 2025.

How did Stepan's (SCL) different segments perform in Q1 2025?

Surfactants sales grew 10% with 3% volume growth, Polymers remained flat with 7% volume growth but lower prices, and Specialty Products increased 11%. Surfactants and Specialty Products showed strong EBITDA growth while Polymers declined slightly.
Stepan

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