← Huntsman overview

Huntsman vs Arkema SA: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Huntsman Corporation (HUN)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

Huntsman's merger advances but weak demand drags shares

  • Merger with Olin advances Huntsman's all-stock merger with Olin cleared antitrust review and won shareholder approval, keeping the $12.5 billion deal on track for early 2027 with over $400 million in expected cost savings.

    This is a major positive development that could reshape the company and create value.

  • MDI price hikes Huntsman raised prices for MDI, a key chemical, due to tight global supply. This could help protect profit margins even as overall demand remains soft.

    Pricing power is a positive factor that can support earnings.

  • Shares fall on merger valuation and weak results HUN shares dropped 17% after the merger was announced because the deal valued the company at a discount. They fell another 19% after second-quarter results, despite an earnings beat, as investors worried about too much production capacity and weak construction demand.

    These sharp declines directly explain the negative price action during the period.

  • Analyst downgrade on soft demand Citi cut its price target for Huntsman to $9 from $11, citing weak demand for chemicals. This reflects broader concerns about the industry's health and cautious investor sentiment.

    Analyst actions can influence investor perception and stock price.

August 2026
▲3▼1

Huntsman's Olin merger clears key hurdles, but weak chemical demand weighs

  • Olin merger clears antitrust waiting period The U.S. antitrust waiting period for Huntsman's all-stock merger with Olin expired, removing a key closing condition. Shareholders already approved the deal. This keeps the merger on track to close in the first half of 2027, supporting HUN's price by locking in the expected cost savings and combined scale.

    This is the latest concrete step advancing the merger, the central force behind HUN's price.

  • Shareholders approve all-stock Olin merger Huntsman and Olin shareholders overwhelmingly approved their merger of equals, creating OlinHuntsman with about $12.5 billion in 2025 revenue and over $400 million in expected cost savings. Approval moves the deal closer to closing, which supports HUN's price by reducing uncertainty around the combination.

    Shareholder approval is a major milestone that de-risks the merger and underpins HUN's value.

  • Tight MDI supply lets Huntsman lead price hikes A global MDI supply-demand gap of about 220,000 tonnes is expected through 2028, with maintenance shutdowns and higher raw material costs prompting Huntsman and Wanhua to raise prices overseas. Higher MDI prices would lift Huntsman's revenue and margins, pushing HUN's price up.

    This explains a real pricing tailwind for Huntsman's core MDI business.

  • Citi cuts Huntsman target on weak chemical demand Citi kept a Neutral/High Risk rating on Huntsman but cut its price target to $9 from $11, citing weak demand that limits gains from higher oil and feedstock costs. The cautious view on chemical producers pressures HUN's price by lowering earnings expectations.

    This is the main counterweight, showing demand weakness that could hold HUN back.

Latest
▲3▼1

Huntsman's Olin merger clears key hurdles, but weak chemical demand weighs

  • Olin merger clears antitrust waiting period The U.S. antitrust waiting period for Huntsman's all-stock merger with Olin expired, removing a key closing condition. Shareholders already approved the deal. This keeps the merger on track to close in the first half of 2027, supporting HUN's price by locking in the expected cost savings and combined scale.

    This is the latest concrete step advancing the merger, the central force behind HUN's price.

  • Shareholders approve all-stock Olin merger Huntsman and Olin shareholders overwhelmingly approved their merger of equals, creating OlinHuntsman with about $12.5 billion in 2025 revenue and over $400 million in expected cost savings. Approval moves the deal closer to closing, which supports HUN's price by reducing uncertainty around the combination.

    Shareholder approval is a major milestone that de-risks the merger and underpins HUN's value.

  • Tight MDI supply lets Huntsman lead price hikes A global MDI supply-demand gap of about 220,000 tonnes is expected through 2028, with maintenance shutdowns and higher raw material costs prompting Huntsman and Wanhua to raise prices overseas. Higher MDI prices would lift Huntsman's revenue and margins, pushing HUN's price up.

    This explains a real pricing tailwind for Huntsman's core MDI business.

  • Citi cuts Huntsman target on weak chemical demand Citi kept a Neutral/High Risk rating on Huntsman but cut its price target to $9 from $11, citing weak demand that limits gains from higher oil and feedstock costs. The cautious view on chemical producers pressures HUN's price by lowering earnings expectations.

    This is the main counterweight, showing demand weakness that could hold HUN back.

July 2026
▲2▼2

Huntsman's merger with Olin and price hikes offset by weak demand and overcapacity

  • Merger with Olin to create $12.5B chemicals leader Huntsman and Olin agreed to an all-stock merger, forming OlinHuntsman with $12.5B in revenue. The deal promises over $400M in cost savings, which could add $8-11 per share in value. This is a major strategic move that could boost HUN's long-term earnings power.

    The merger is the biggest recent event and directly affects HUN's future value.

  • Huntsman shares plunge 17% on discounted merger valuation Despite the merger's potential, Huntsman shares fell 17% because the all-stock deal valued HUN at a discount. This reflects investor concerns about the immediate value received and the risk that the combined company may face integration challenges.

    The sharp negative market reaction shows how investors initially viewed the deal terms.

  • Huntsman raises MDI prices amid industry-wide hikes Huntsman increased MDI prices in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India, following similar moves by peers. The hikes are driven by higher raw material and logistics costs and tight supply from plant maintenance. This could improve Huntsman's margins and profitability.

    Price hikes directly impact Huntsman's revenue and earnings, a key driver of the stock.

  • Q2 earnings beat but stock falls 19% on overcapacity fears Huntsman reported higher Q2 sales and a narrower loss, yet shares dropped 19% in a day. Investors are worried about industry overcapacity and weak construction demand, which could keep prices and volumes under pressure despite the recent price hikes.

    The market's negative reaction to earnings highlights persistent concerns that overshadow positive results.

▲2▼2

Huntsman's merger with Olin and price hikes offset by weak demand and overcapacity

  • Merger with Olin to create $12.5B chemicals leader Huntsman and Olin agreed to an all-stock merger, forming OlinHuntsman with $12.5B in revenue. The deal promises over $400M in cost savings, which could add $8-11 per share in value. This is a major strategic move that could boost HUN's long-term earnings power.

    The merger is the biggest recent event and directly affects HUN's future value.

  • Huntsman shares plunge 17% on discounted merger valuation Despite the merger's potential, Huntsman shares fell 17% because the all-stock deal valued HUN at a discount. This reflects investor concerns about the immediate value received and the risk that the combined company may face integration challenges.

    The sharp negative market reaction shows how investors initially viewed the deal terms.

  • Huntsman raises MDI prices amid industry-wide hikes Huntsman increased MDI prices in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India, following similar moves by peers. The hikes are driven by higher raw material and logistics costs and tight supply from plant maintenance. This could improve Huntsman's margins and profitability.

    Price hikes directly impact Huntsman's revenue and earnings, a key driver of the stock.

  • Q2 earnings beat but stock falls 19% on overcapacity fears Huntsman reported higher Q2 sales and a narrower loss, yet shares dropped 19% in a day. Investors are worried about industry overcapacity and weak construction demand, which could keep prices and volumes under pressure despite the recent price hikes.

    The market's negative reaction to earnings highlights persistent concerns that overshadow positive results.

Arkema SA (AKE.PA)