Westlake returns to profitability in Q2 2026 with $260 million net income

MegaChem (Thailand) Public Company Limited, or MGT, a full-service distributor of specialty chemicals, expects its operating results in the second half of 2026 to continue growing from the first half, as it presses ahead with expanding cooperation with customers and business partners while sourcing new and high-margin products to strengthen its portfolio. For the first six months of 2026, the company reported sales revenue of 668.16 million baht, up from 606.94 million baht in the same period last year, and net profit of 82.93 million baht, up from 61.67 million baht. In the second quarter of 2026, sales revenue was 346.52 million baht, up from 294.36 million baht, and net profit was 45.48 million baht, up from 29.24 million baht a year earlier. Its beauty products business, operated jointly with a partner from South Korea, has recovered clearly, turning from a loss last year to a profit this year, and the company has taken a stake of approximately 6 to 7 percent. It is currently preparing documents and getting ready for a listing on the South Korean stock exchange, or IPO, with a target of listing in the fourth quarter of 2027. Dr. Witthaya Inala, Chief Executive Officer, said the revenue structure in the chemicals business still maintains a net profit margin of approximately 8 to 10 percent. On overseas market expansion, the South Korean partner has brought products to open up the market in Japan, while in Thailand the company plans to join with Green Leaf Chemical to set up a product booth during the 3rd to 5th of next month.

Air Products and Chemicals is positioned to potentially beat earnings estimates again in its next quarterly report, according to Zacks Investment Research. The industrial gas supplier has topped estimates in each of its last two reports, with an average surprise of 4.10% over that span. In the most recent quarter, it reported $3.47 per share against a consensus estimate of $3.36, a surprise of 3.27%, after posting $3.2 per share versus an estimate of $3.05 in the prior quarter, a surprise of 4.92%. The company currently carries an Earnings ESP of +0.79% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), a combination Zacks research shows produces a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time.

Elliott Investment Management, which advises funds holding a significant economic interest in L'Air Liquide S.A., issued a statement welcoming the value-creating initiatives announced as part of Air Liquide's new strategic plan at its 2026 Capital Markets Day. Elliott highlighted the company's target to improve margins by 400 to 600 basis points by 2030 and its first-ever large share buyback, which the activist investor said should start immediately. The firm also pointed to Air Liquide's targets for annual growth of 5% in revenue and 10% in EPS through 2030, saying they highlight the strength of its business and the opportunities in AI, electronics, healthcare and space. Elliott called the announcements a positive first step that reflects the company's traditionally prudent approach and leaves room for significant outperformance, and said it looks forward to continued constructive dialogue as Air Liquide works to close margin and valuation gaps with peers. Elliott Investment Management manages approximately $80.3 billion of assets as of June 30, 2026, and was founded in 1977.