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 +32.52% 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 44th ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Market Cap	ROE	ROA	ROCE	ROIC	D/E	Current Ratio	Gross Margin	Profit Margin	Operating Margin
MATV	MATIV HOLDINGS INC	$463.70M	-77.50%	-16.50%	-22.19%	-17.90%	3.11	2.24	18.30%	-17.00%	-19.72%
ALTO	ALTO INGREDIENTS INC	$360.96M	5.40%	3.10%	7.12%	5.50%	0.59	2.64	3.80%	1.30%	2.56%
MTX	MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC	$2.15B	-1.10%	-0.50%	1.41%	1.70%	1.00	2.08	25.00%	-0.90%	1.98%
AVNT	AVIENT CORP	$3.21B	3.50%	1.40%	4.03%	5.90%	1.53	1.66	31.20%	2.50%	6.40%
CMT	CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES INC	$195.83M	7.30%	5.00%	7.57%	10.20%	0.44	3.02	17.40%	4.10%	5.36%
FUL	FULLER H B CO	$3.30B	8.10%	3.10%	7.96%	9.20%	1.53	1.92	31.50%	4.60%	10.49%
IOSP	INNOSPEC INC	$1.83B	9.00%	6.50%	8.76%	17.20%	0.38	2.79	27.70%	6.60%	7.25%
SSL	SASOL LTD	$8.07B	4.60%	1.90%	7.16%	5.40%	1.33	1.87	48.20%	2.70%	8.34%
ECVT	ECOVYST INC	$1.44B	-10.90%	-4.30%	-1.53%	-1.00%	1.09	2.64	21.80%	-9.80%	-2.41%
KOP	KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC	$732.35M	10.40%	2.90%	8.88%	6.60%	2.29	2.95	23.80%	3.00%	7.84%
SQM	CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC	$23.77B	14.30%	6.20%	12.56%	9.60%	1.22	2.51	29.30%	15.10%	25.73%
KWR	QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP	$2.09B	-0.20%	-0.10%	2.74%	3.90%	1.04	2.42	36.00%	-0.10%	3.50%
ESI	ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC	$8.30B	7.30%	3.80%	6.82%	11.50%	0.90	3.68	42.00%	7.50%	12.50%
BCPC	BALCHEM CORP	$5.46B	12.30%	9.30%	13.86%	31.40%	0.34	2.07	35.70%	14.90%	20.18%
ODC	OIL-DRI CORP OF AMERICA	$978.41M	20.20%	13.80%	19.42%	22.20%	0.43	3.45	28.30%	11.00%	13.66%
APD	AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS INC	$65.36B	-2.20%	-0.80%	-0.49%	-0.40%	1.52	1.46	31.60%	-2.70%	-1.50%
NGVT	INGEVITY CORP	$2.51B	-127.80%	-9.00%	-6.15%	-3.30%	54.59	1.33	39.50%	-14.30%	-6.90%
PRM	PERIMETER SOLUTIONS INC	$3.82B	-17.80%	-8.10%	-7.95%	-22.00%	1.34	3.22	57.50%	-31.60%	-30.19%
WTTR	SELECT WATER SOLUTIONS INC	$1.84B	2.60%	1.40%	3.12%	2.90%	0.83	1.57	14.40%	1.50%	3.04%
AVTR	AVANTOR INC	$5.39B	-9.00%	-4.40%	-2.61%	-5.10%	1.12	1.78	32.70%	-8.10%	-4.14%
PPG	PPG INDUSTRIES INC	$23.07B	20.80%	7.20%	13.23%	15.80%	1.76	1.62	41.30%	9.90%	14.33%
ECL	ECOLAB INC	$74.52B	22.00%	8.80%	14.46%	19.20%	1.52	1.08	44.50%	12.90%	17.23%
SHW	SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO	$78.79B	58.50%	10.10%	20.04%	19.80%	4.63	0.87	48.80%	10.90%	16.13%
CBT	CABOT CORP	$3.97B	20.40%	8.20%	20.08%	15.60%	1.29	1.67	25.40%	8.60%	16.05%
NEU	NEWMARKET CORP	$5.98B	25.40%	12.70%	19.53%	20.30%	0.96	2.53	31.50%	15.40%	22.03%
ALB	ALBEMARLE CORP	$20.99B	-6.80%	-4.00%	-1.00%	-1.00%	0.69	2.23	13.00%	-13.20%	-2.84%
IFF	INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC	$18.50B	-2.60%	-1.40%	-0.86%	-1.30%	0.80	1.42	36.20%	-3.30%	-1.70%
ASH	ASHLAND INC	$2.49B	-33.60%	-14.60%	-14.33%	-14.30%	1.41	3.15	30.10%	-38.30%	-32.96%
RPM	RPM INTERNATIONAL INC	$12.55B	22.70%	8.80%	13.98%	14.20%	1.51	2.22	41.20%	8.80%	11.92%
SXT	SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP	$3.92B	11.60%	6.10%	10.46%	9.50%	0.88	4.10	33.50%	8.30%	12.85%
LIN	LINDE PLC	$232.90B	18.00%	8.10%	12.76%	17.70%	1.23	0.88	48.80%	20.30%	26.90%
LWLG	LIGHTWAVE LOGIC INC	$1.14B	-46.10%	-42.30%	-26.36%	-204.90%	0.06	32.69	97.10%	-8,576.50%	-8,576.47%
DD	DUPONT DE NEMOURS INC	$18.60B	-3.80%	-2.40%	-1.89%	-2.40%	0.54	2.42	34.50%	-11.40%	-5.31%
EMN	EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO	$8.57B	8.10%	3.20%	6.35%	6.20%	1.48	1.37	21.10%	5.40%	8.86%
WDFC	WD 40 CO	$2.78B	34.70%	19.40%	28.01%	32.70%	0.74	2.97	55.40%	14.40%	16.62%
SCL	STEPAN CO	$1.13B	3.80%	2.00%	4.85%	3.80%	0.90	1.29	11.60%	2.00%	3.52%
HDSN	HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES INC	$248.02M	6.60%	5.20%	7.93%	17.30%	0.31	3.26	25.20%	6.80%	8.17%
HWKN	HAWKINS INC	$3.17B	16.70%	8.90%	14.09%	18.80%	0.88	2.35	22.90%	7.80%	11.65%
SOLS	SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$12.13B	10.20%	4.40%	15.83%	16.30%	3.05	1.39	32.20%	6.10%	16.13%
LYB	LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES NV	$25.64B	-6.70%	-2.20%	-0.65%	-0.50%	2.37	1.77	8.50%	-2.50%	-0.60%
CC	CHEMOURS CO	$3.23B	-113.20%	-5.20%	-0.14%	-0.10%	28.52	1.78	15.50%	-6.60%	-0.14%
OEC	ORION SA	$356.78M	-16.30%	-3.60%	2.19%	1.30%	3.96	1.03	19.90%	-3.90%	1.55%
GEVO	GEVO INC	$557.27M	-7.20%	-4.90%	-2.54%	-2.90%	0.53	1.83	46.90%	-21.10%	-10.14%
OLN	OLIN CORP	$3.25B	-5.20%	-1.30%	0.49%	0.40%	2.97	1.21	7.40%	-1.50%	0.41%
WLK	WESTLAKE CORP	$15.27B	-15.50%	-7.40%	-8.51%	-8.10%	1.21	2.24	7.30%	-13.50%	-13.10%
KRO	KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC	$732.89M	-13.70%	-5.80%	-3.07%	-2.10%	1.42	2.70	11.50%	-6.00%	-2.39%
FEAM	5E ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$60.61M	-43.10%	-38.30%	-45.46%	-41.30%	0.14	0.19	N/A	N/A	N/A
FF	FUTUREFUEL CORP	$183.35M	-28.60%	-23.50%	-28.12%	-48.10%	0.24	5.67	-41.20%	-51.60%	-51.26%
CNEY	CN ENERGY GROUP INC	$2.27M	-11.20%	-10.80%	-10.70%	-11.20%	0.05	13.90	1.80%	-31.30%	-30.85%
LOOP	LOOP INDUSTRIES INC	$72.02M	N/A	-18.40%	-14.32%	-32.40%	-2.54	1.69	100.00%	-24.30%	-9.95%
BGLC	BIONEXUS GENE LAB CORP	$3.97M	-30.20%	-24.90%	-33.82%	-34.50%	0.12	8.30	14.80%	-24.30%	-24.81%
AXTA	AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS LTD	$5.72B	16.90%	4.90%	11.57%	11.80%	2.22	2.06	34.40%	7.40%	14.09%
SNES	SENESTECH INC	$8.59M	-82.90%	-61.60%	-52.81%	-104.70%	0.34	12.61	62.50%	-287.40%	-286.40%
CITR	CITROTECH INC	$173.88M	-565.50%	-333.50%	-210.71%	-4,206.60%	0.26	3.42	22.30%	-1,546.90%	-1,063.02%
NTIC	NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP	$75.18M	-0.40%	-0.30%	3.13%	3.60%	0.38	1.77	37.00%	-0.40%	2.86%
YMAT	J-STAR HOLDING CO LTD	$5.58M	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	1.64	1.12	N/A	N/A	N/A
FSI	FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC	$67.52M	5.00%	3.20%	6.76%	7.10%	0.39	2.96	32.50%	5.00%	8.29%

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

What are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy right now in Apr 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. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) is the #1 top specialty chemical stock out of 57 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

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

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) has a Due Diligence Score of 12, which is -20 points lower than the specialty chemical industry average of 32. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates MATV as a "A".

MATV passed 4 out of 38 due diligence checks and has weak fundamentals. Mativ Holdings has seen its stock return 33.54% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 27 percentage points.

2. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) is the #2 top specialty chemical stock out of 57 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

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

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) has a Due Diligence Score of 30, which is -2 points lower than the specialty chemical industry average of 32. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates ALTO as a "A".

ALTO passed 9 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Alto Ingredients has seen its stock return 316.96% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 311 percentage points.

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX) is the #3 top specialty chemical stock out of 57 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

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

Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX) has a Due Diligence Score of 19, which is -13 points lower than the specialty chemical industry average of 32. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates MTX as a "A".

MTX passed 6 out of 38 due diligence checks and has weak fundamentals. Minerals Technologies has seen its stock return 9.9% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 4 percentage points.

Minerals Technologies has an average 1 year price target of $82.00, an upside of 18.33% from Minerals Technologies's current stock price of $69.30.

Minerals Technologies stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 2 analysts 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 6.03%, which is 4 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2.04%. 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 -232.9% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Futurefuel (NYSE:FF)

Futurefuel (NYSE:FF) has an annual dividend yield of 5.74%, which is 4 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2.04%. Futurefuel's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Futurefuel's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Futurefuel's dividend payout ratio of -21.2% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN) has an annual dividend yield of 4.45%, which is 2 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 2.04%. 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 80.4% indicates that its high dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

Why are specialty chemical stocks down?

Specialty chemical stocks were down -0.42% in the last day, and up 1.03% over the last week. Axalta Coating Systems was the among the top losers in the specialty chemicals industry, dropping -3.04% yesterday.

Shares of paint and coatings-related companies are trading lower as concerns over rising energy and chemical feedstock prices dim the outlook for the sector.

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. Cabot (NYSE:CBT)

Cabot (NYSE:CBT) 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.

Cabot has a valuation score of 43, which is 16 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Cabot's stock has dropped -9.98% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by -16 percentage points.

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL) 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.

Fuller H B Co has a valuation score of 57, which is 30 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Fuller H B Co's stock has gained 4.26% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by -2 percentage points.

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN) 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.

Eastman Chemical Co has a valuation score of 57, which is 30 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Eastman Chemical Co's stock has dropped -14.97% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by -21 percentage points.

Are specialty chemical stocks a good buy now?

46.34% of specialty chemical stocks rated by analysts are a buy right now. On average, analysts expect specialty chemical stocks to rise by 13.04% over the next year.

6.25% of specialty chemical stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 20.83% of specialty chemical stocks are rated B (Buy), 60.42% are rated C (Hold), 10.42% are rated D (Sell), and 2.08% 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 -1.83x.

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. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

2. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Futurefuel (NYSE:FF)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

1. Cabot (NYSE:CBT)

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Company

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Stock Ideas

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 +32.52% per year, and are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

1. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

2. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

3. Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Futurefuel (NYSE:FF)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

1. Cabot (NYSE:CBT)

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

3. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas