Dow posted a better-than-expected Q3 with adjusted EPS of 0.71 and revenue of $11.267 billion, up 13% YoY. The company guided Q4 EBITDA near $1.5 billion, aided by about $100 million in additional cost savings and more than $100 million in lower turnaround costs. The beat and higher targets may extend near-term upside for DOW.
Dow reported 3Q26 net sales of $11.3B, up 13% YoY with prices rising 14% and volumes down 1%. GAAP net income was $525M, and free cash flow reached $1.1B as the company progressing on self-help actions. Management reaffirmed more than $1B of EBITDA uplift in 2026 and about $2B by 2027 under Transform to Outperform, supported by capital discipline and European asset actions that should bolster margins and cash generation.
UBS lowered Dow's 12-month target to $30 while keeping a Neutral rating, citing ongoing margin pressure across global commodity chemicals. The downgrade reflects weaker global industrial demand, Europe weakness, and China stimulus gaps weighing on polyethylene margins, likely keeping Dow's EBITDA and operating leverage constrained through year-end. Dow traded around $27.80, down roughly 2.7% on the day.
Jim Cramer linked the Iran Strait of Hormuz blockade to a sharp oil rally, triggering a familiar market rotation toward energy- and input-cost beneficiaries. Dow Inc. is highlighted as a potential winner due to its domestic-energy focus, with Valero and Mosaic also named as beneficiaries. The near-term implication is a continued tilt toward energy and chemical equities, supporting DOW in the wake of higher oil.
Outgoing Dow CEO Jim Fitterling cautioned that clearing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could extend beyond 275 days, complicating logistics. This prolonged bottleneck severely impacts global petrochemical production and pricing, providing both challenges and opportunities for Dow. Given this scenario, investors should monitor how these dynamics could affect Dow's revenue and stock performance in the upcoming quarters.
Dow's joint venture, Sadara Chemical Company with Saudi Aramco, has temporarily ceased production due to ongoing supply chain disruptions. This situation could significantly impact Dow's operational efficiency and revenue, making it essential for investors to track recovery developments closely.