In this edition of European Chemicals Update from Duff & Phelps, A Kroll Business, we evaluate current trends for key raw materials, prevailing investor sentiment and valuation developments in the featured industrial specialty sub-sector.
Top Insights:
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Key raw material prices in the chemicals sector continued to increase in Q1 2021 driven by improving industrial demand. Brent crude prices are likely to remain close to current levels in the near term as OPEC’s decision to raise production offsets rising levels of global oil consumption.
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Next, the ifo Business Climate Index for the German chemical industry remained positive in Q1 2021, with both current conditions and expectations on performance remaining positive and continuously improving. This indicates German companies’ strong confidence in current business activities and continuous optimism about the near future.
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Finally, in the industrial specialty sub-sector, featured companies show strong performance in market capitalization. Top performers generated over 100% share price gains in the last 12 months.
