Sectors & Industries Basic MaterialsSpecialty Chemicals
Best Specialty Chemical Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top specialty chemical stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Overview Zen Rating Price Value Growth Financials Momentum

Sentiment Forecast Dividends Due Diligence

Specialty Chemicals is Zen Rated B and is the 31st ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Price	Volume	Vol 1d %	SMA 10	SMA 20	SMA 50	SMA 100	SMA 200	RSI	Stochastic %K	Stochastic %D	StochRSI %K	StochRSI %D	MACD	MACD Signal	MACD Histogram	Beta
ALTO	ALTO INGREDIENTS INC	$4.64	2,060,000	5.97%	5.29	5.46	5.28	5.00	3.60	39.14	9.34	14.96	3.70	7.09	-0.10	0.01	-0.11	1.09
KOP	KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC	$50.22	120,000	-33.33%	49.50	47.83	44.36	41.48	35.39	66.78	74.84	82.82	47.52	70.81	1.82	1.70	0.13	1.04
MTX	MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC	$74.60	140,000	16.67%	73.77	74.06	75.98	73.77	68.35	49.98	56.25	51.65	76.20	69.63	-0.57	-0.73	0.16	0.97
ECVT	ECOVYST INC	$12.46	894,000	-36.46%	12.55	12.28	12.91	12.99	11.31	48.28	71.13	72.99	83.09	83.22	-0.01	-0.12	0.11	1.00
NGVT	INGEVITY CORP	$73.26	128,000	-26.86%	74.20	73.80	71.06	71.29	65.69	50.11	56.40	62.38	30.19	42.39	0.68	0.79	-0.11	1.24
SQM	CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC	$68.73	394,000	-27.57%	69.63	71.37	76.89	79.93	72.00	39.68	36.55	34.50	72.93	69.35	-2.49	-2.50	0.01	1.17
ODC	OIL-DRI CORP OF AMERICA	$98.79	86,000	-42.67%	99.11	100.40	91.16	79.97	68.39	54.45	32.40	23.01	15.61	7.40	1.20	2.56	-1.35	0.43
ALB	ALBEMARLE CORP	$114.85	1,399,000	-23.22%	120.56	126.12	150.50	165.95	151.93	25.03	4.74	7.55	2.27	6.84	-10.09	-10.33	0.25	1.57
MATV	MATIV HOLDINGS INC	$8.12	322,000	-36.36%	7.97	7.79	8.03	8.54	10.38	53.86	71.80	72.55	74.81	78.78	0.01	-0.05	0.06	1.22
FUL	FULLER H B CO	$55.70	262,000	-47.39%	56.29	57.06	59.70	59.67	60.17	41.34	23.28	24.73	50.18	49.70	-1.35	-1.33	-0.03	1.02
AXTA	AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS LTD	$32.76	1,127,000	-68.58%	32.37	33.13	32.02	30.14	30.62	50.64	22.51	20.72	27.13	20.20	-0.08	0.10	-0.18	1.11
AVNT	AVIENT CORP	$37.60	368,000	-50.74%	36.69	36.87	36.00	36.16	34.92	54.56	51.46	46.56	51.61	42.34	0.18	0.14	0.04	1.41
SSL	SASOL LTD	$11.83	727,000	-54.51%	11.30	10.63	11.79	12.02	9.39	59.46	84.66	90.01	90.94	93.94	0.07	-0.18	0.25	0.83
IOSP	INNOSPEC INC	$84.76	153,000	10.87%	83.90	82.79	82.13	78.01	77.93	57.85	73.36	72.34	69.77	71.43	0.77	0.57	0.20	0.81
RPM	RPM INTERNATIONAL INC	$107.00	1,103,000	-34.11%	104.17	106.44	105.07	103.68	106.58	52.57	56.49	40.56	69.01	43.71	-0.46	-0.44	-0.02	0.91
CBT	CABOT CORP	$90.15	136,000	-55.70%	89.38	88.61	86.65	80.57	74.77	55.49	75.44	72.53	73.02	69.10	0.81	0.82	-0.01	1.10
WTTR	SELECT WATER SOLUTIONS INC	$20.17	1,414,000	-24.22%	20.32	19.69	19.10	17.24	14.32	55.55	79.23	85.07	66.13	83.16	0.55	0.47	0.08	0.94
PPG	PPG INDUSTRIES INC	$116.00	1,841,000	-27.97%	115.84	118.15	114.99	111.13	109.15	48.54	22.25	23.23	27.20	21.76	-0.31	0.20	-0.51	1.02
AVTR	AVANTOR INC	$11.44	12,279,000	-20.76%	11.08	10.63	9.62	8.82	10.24	65.80	78.38	72.71	64.27	53.18	0.46	0.44	0.02	1.00
WDFC	WD 40 CO	$231.33	91,000	-17.27%	243.15	245.16	225.71	221.00	214.51	44.50	3.77	4.45	0.00	0.00	2.21	5.62	-3.41	0.47
PRM	PERIMETER SOLUTIONS INC	$33.73	855,000	-3.06%	34.03	34.11	33.75	29.90	28.00	48.18	41.80	50.42	41.56	57.71	0.08	0.19	-0.11	1.07
KWR	QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP	$151.43	99,000	-34.44%	150.67	153.06	147.63	139.30	142.09	51.49	56.16	52.84	31.48	24.52	0.49	1.06	-0.57	1.31
SXT	SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP	$126.79	1,930,000	20.25%	113.59	117.39	116.63	107.52	101.29	65.30	57.29	32.94	67.43	38.83	-0.34	-0.77	0.43	0.80
LYB	LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES NV	$60.32	4,717,000	-0.32%	59.81	57.05	62.45	67.69	57.89	52.95	75.73	84.27	88.23	95.30	0.01	-1.00	1.00	0.79
APD	AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS INC	$297.87	544,000	-51.94%	297.01	296.95	289.67	290.75	275.45	54.04	26.29	28.75	14.66	11.01	2.15	2.71	-0.56	0.70
SHW	SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO	$317.51	2,021,000	-17.38%	324.92	333.42	319.39	322.18	332.40	43.49	14.08	8.06	9.86	4.23	-1.71	1.60	-3.31	0.84
NEU	NEWMARKET CORP	$779.33	102,000	-15.00%	766.64	775.75	772.50	708.43	714.28	52.44	60.47	61.90	68.48	70.70	-0.63	-0.29	-0.34	0.60
BCPC	BALCHEM CORP	$162.81	122,000	-16.44%	162.46	164.92	163.03	166.52	163.16	47.20	26.23	22.90	33.62	27.97	-0.78	-0.38	-0.41	0.74
ECL	ECOLAB INC	$268.75	1,155,000	-5.64%	269.20	274.14	265.36	266.98	270.66	48.25	16.11	11.55	14.48	8.02	-0.63	0.99	-1.62	0.85
KRO	KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC	$6.61	309,000	-23.89%	6.64	6.36	6.67	6.52	5.84	51.53	67.06	71.77	75.49	85.59	0.04	-0.04	0.07	1.09
CMT	CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES INC	$24.54	20,000	-58.33%	24.33	23.94	23.83	23.59	21.41	54.02	60.27	57.50	60.79	57.69	0.20	0.11	0.09	0.61
ASH	ASHLAND INC	$66.40	783,000	12.99%	67.60	66.58	62.66	58.54	57.68	52.81	62.91	72.15	33.17	53.21	1.30	1.58	-0.28	0.94
CC	CHEMOURS CO	$17.22	1,547,000	-15.23%	17.81	18.47	20.58	21.22	17.73	37.92	21.27	22.59	71.98	77.11	-0.95	-0.98	0.03	1.58
DD	DUPONT DE NEMOURS INC	$137.70	800,000	-35.90%	136.06	136.73	140.73	139.90	144.90	49.30	61.41	62.35	81.20	85.81	-0.85	-1.36	0.51	1.10
EMN	EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO	$68.20	651,000	-39.50%	68.26	68.17	71.04	71.75	68.90	45.26	49.75	56.78	72.21	82.25	-0.74	-0.98	0.24	1.10
LIN	LINDE PLC	$512.28	1,244,000	-30.07%	513.91	521.53	515.13	505.76	473.04	46.75	14.19	9.38	14.76	7.82	-2.12	0.39	-2.51	0.71
YMAT	J-STAR HOLDING CO LTD	$1.82	44,600	24.58%	2.17	2.40	3.59	2.60	3.04	40.70	17.64	28.29	20.59	44.74	-0.34	-0.33	-0.01	2.29
IFF	INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC	$75.94	1,025,000	-72.59%	76.13	77.90	76.37	74.38	71.58	47.54	25.20	23.76	19.16	19.49	-0.26	0.15	-0.41	0.86
SCL	STEPAN CO	$57.57	64,000	-54.29%	58.06	57.05	54.28	52.05	51.01	56.51	61.56	66.48	24.44	37.62	1.14	1.22	-0.08	0.88
SOLS	SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$60.54	4,311,000	59.43%	60.07	66.65	77.04	77.41	N/A	36.21	25.76	17.78	81.95	57.68	-5.67	-5.72	0.05	1.51
HWKN	HAWKINS INC	$139.03	242,000	-22.93%	141.26	140.45	150.79	152.38	148.95	39.79	53.53	63.71	69.62	80.44	-3.06	-3.80	0.74	0.80
STDN	STANDARD NUCLEAR INC	$8.30	1,325,000	156.78%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	5.84
OEC	ORION SA	$6.99	355,000	-34.98%	6.76	6.39	6.90	6.64	6.16	54.02	79.81	88.90	79.59	89.56	0.05	-0.10	0.15	1.22
HDSN	HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES INC	$6.34	288,000	-21.74%	6.21	6.11	5.66	5.86	6.71	60.65	59.96	54.70	43.93	28.29	0.15	0.16	-0.01	1.09
FF	FUTUREFUEL CORP	$4.65	206,000	-25.90%	4.75	4.66	4.40	4.31	3.95	51.81	30.85	46.02	17.04	46.75	0.11	0.11	-0.00	0.76
WLK	WESTLAKE CORP	$73.82	1,199,000	55.31%	76.41	75.64	81.76	96.54	87.46	33.41	34.10	49.06	59.67	75.92	-1.91	-2.37	0.47	1.01
OLN	OLIN CORP	$23.20	1,714,000	-35.30%	22.51	21.47	23.54	25.29	23.78	55.43	82.07	90.27	85.10	93.43	0.07	-0.41	0.48	1.26
LWLG	LIGHTWAVE LOGIC INC	$6.05	2,807,000	32.66%	6.49	7.09	9.53	9.77	6.98	36.34	29.72	29.40	73.14	76.62	-0.89	-0.99	0.10	2.21
CITR	CITROTECH INC	$5.09	8,900	-44.38%	4.87	5.23	6.00	7.10	N/A	44.22	31.86	28.16	71.09	55.63	-0.36	-0.38	0.03	0.71
FEAM	5E ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$1.15	275,000	-58.27%	1.17	1.27	1.56	1.60	2.68	35.62	43.75	36.14	51.20	29.71	-0.12	-0.12	-0.00	1.15
GEVO	GEVO INC	$1.63	4,170,000	-16.15%	1.64	1.54	1.59	1.84	1.97	52.31	79.50	88.39	78.64	92.88	0.04	0.01	0.03	1.84
CNEY	CN ENERGY GROUP INC	$0.58	726,000	52.84%	0.68	0.58	0.85	0.75	0.98	45.65	33.40	34.03	44.63	46.18	-0.03	-0.04	0.02	0.99
SNES	SENESTECH INC	$1.39	39,500	-55.62%	1.40	1.43	1.58	1.65	2.16	41.06	25.29	23.81	52.66	45.90	-0.05	-0.06	0.00	0.87
BGLC	BIONEXUS GENE LAB CORP	$1.51	4,800	84.62%	1.63	1.79	2.04	2.16	3.07	30.42	4.97	9.22	0.00	3.85	-0.16	-0.14	-0.02	0.09
NTIC	NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP	$8.04	12,500	400.00%	8.08	8.34	8.16	8.19	8.20	43.46	4.08	3.40	8.78	6.40	-0.06	-0.02	-0.05	0.44
FSI	FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC	$5.01	28,200	22.61%	5.63	5.97	6.23	6.02	6.53	25.60	14.78	16.46	1.72	4.53	-0.30	-0.19	-0.11	0.78
LOOP	LOOP INDUSTRIES INC	$0.80	5,600	-53.72%	0.83	0.85	1.03	1.20	1.23	44.35	38.11	32.64	70.78	56.61	-0.05	-0.06	0.01	1.09
ESI	ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC	$37.44	6,003,000	14.54%	38.32	40.64	42.00	39.30	33.57	39.45	20.84	17.91	55.53	45.11	-1.54	-1.25	-0.29	1.39

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

What are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy right now in Jul 2026?

According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary rating system that evaluates 115 factors proven to drive growth in stocks and assigns each stock in our system an overall letter grade as well as 7 individual Component Grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, Financials, and proprietary AI algorithms, the 3 best specialty chemical stocks to buy right now are:

1. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) is the #1 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) is: Value: B, Growth: B, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: B, Financials: B, and AI: B.

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) has a Due Diligence Score of 36, which is 6 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 30.

ALTO passed 11 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Alto Ingredients has seen its stock return 293.22% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 288 percentage points.

Alto Ingredients has an average 1 year price target of $10.00, an upside of 115.52% from Alto Ingredients's current stock price of $4.64.

Alto Ingredients stock has a consensus Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 1 analyst covering Alto Ingredients, 0% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 100% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP) is the #2 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: A, Sentiment: B, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP) has a Due Diligence Score of 33, which is 3 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 30.

KOP passed 11 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Koppers Holdings has seen its stock return 49.96% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 45 percentage points.

Koppers Holdings has an average 1 year price target of $55.00, an upside of 9.52% from Koppers Holdings's current stock price of $50.22.

Koppers Holdings stock has a consensus Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 1 analyst covering Koppers Holdings, 0% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 100% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX) is the #3 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: A, Financials: C, and AI: A.

Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX) has a Due Diligence Score of 36, which is 6 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 30.

MTX passed 12 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Minerals Technologies has seen its stock return 26.01% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 21 percentage points.

Minerals Technologies has an average 1 year price target of $90.00, an upside of 20.64% from Minerals Technologies's current stock price of $74.60.

Minerals Technologies stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 1 analyst covering Minerals Technologies, 100% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

What are the specialty chemical stocks with highest dividends?

Out of 37 specialty chemical stocks that have issued dividends in the past year, the 3 specialty chemical stocks with the highest dividend yields are:

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB) has an annual dividend yield of 6.83%, which is 5 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2%. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend payout ratio of -192% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) has an annual dividend yield of 4.93%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2%. Mativ Holdings's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% one times in the last 10 years. Mativ Holdings's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Mativ Holdings's dividend payout ratio of 28.8% indicates that its high dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN) has an annual dividend yield of 4.91%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2%. Eastman Chemical Co's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Eastman Chemical Co's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Eastman Chemical Co's dividend payout ratio of 95.7% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

Why are specialty chemical stocks up?

Specialty chemical stocks were up 1.01% in the last day, and down -0.54% over the last week. Sensient Technologies was the among the top gainers in the specialty chemicals industry, gaining 8.34% yesterday.

Sensient Technologies shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 financial results and raised its FY2026 GAAP EPS guidance above estimates.

What are the most undervalued specialty chemical stocks?

Based on the Valuation rating, one of the 7 components of a stocks overall Zen Ratings grade, which evaluates factors including estimated earnings yield, earnings before interest and taxes/enterprise value, cash flow yield, free cash flow to price, and price-to-earnings growth (PEG ratio), the 3 most undervalued specialty chemical stocks right now are:

1. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) is the most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Mativ Holdings has a valuation score of 71, which is 56 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 15. It passed 5 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Mativ Holdings's stock has gained 8.12% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by 3 percentage points.

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP) is the second most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Koppers Holdings has a valuation score of 29, which is 14 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 15. It passed 2 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Koppers Holdings's stock has gained 49.96% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by 45 percentage points.

3. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL) is the third most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Fuller H B Co has a valuation score of 29, which is 14 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 15. It passed 2 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Fuller H B Co's stock has dropped -5.86% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by -11 percentage points.

Are specialty chemical stocks a good buy now?

48.78% of specialty chemical stocks rated by analysts are a buy right now. On average, analysts expect specialty chemical stocks to rise by 16.06% over the next year.

17.65% of specialty chemical stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 19.61% of specialty chemical stocks are rated B (Buy), 47.06% are rated C (Hold), 13.73% are rated D (Sell), and 1.96% are rated F (Strong Sell).

What is the average p/e ratio of the specialty chemicals industry?

The average P/E ratio of the specialty chemicals industry is 8.68x.

WallStreetZen does not provide financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.

Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes and is not advice. WallStreetZen does not bear any responsibility for any losses or damage that may occur as a result of reliance on this data.

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

1. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

1. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

3. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

Company

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Sectors & IndustriesBasic MaterialsSpecialty ChemicalsBest Specialty Chemical Stocks to Buy Now (2026)Top specialty chemical stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

1. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

1. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

2. Koppers Holdings (NYSE:KOP)

3. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas