Element Solutions Inc (ESI) AI Stock Analysis
ESI AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchElement Solutions Inc (ESI) is a global specialty chemicals company serving electronics, industrial, and surface treatment markets. In the trailing twelve months, the company generated $3.15B in revenue with a net profit margin of 5.7%. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue surged 56.4% year-over-year while quarterly earnings expanded 61.9%.
- Market cap
- $8.54B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $3.15B
- P/E
- 47.4x fwd 17.0x
- 1Y return
- 39.4% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $47.08 34.3% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue growth accelerated in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, with revenue rising 56.4% year-over-year and earnings up 61.9%.
- Analyst sentiment is positive with 11 Buy or Strong Buy ratings and a mean price target of $47.08, representing 34.3% upside.
- Cash generation remained steady in FY2025, generating $227.6M in free cash flow with a comfortable current ratio of 2.91.
Bear case
- Valuation multiples are elevated relative to peers, with a trailing P/E of 47.4x compared to the US-listed Basic Materials peer median of 19.7x.
- The balance sheet carries significant leverage, including net debt of $1.93B and total debt of $2.12B against cash of $189.6M.
- Trailing twelve months operating margin of 11.8% sits well below the peer group median of 18.5%.
What Element Solutions does
Element Solutions Inc operates globally as a specialty chemicals company through two primary segments: Electronics, and Industrial & Specialty. The Electronics segment researches, formulates, and sells specialty materials such as solder technologies, fluxes, cleaners, and liquid chemical processes used in electronics assembly, printed circuit boards, integrated circuit fabrication, and semiconductor packaging. The Industrial & Specialty segment offers chemical solutions that protect and enhance metal and plastic surfaces across diverse industries. It also produces consumable chemicals for flexible packaging and chemistries for offshore water-based hydraulic control fluids, serving aerospace, automotive, construction, and energy markets.
Growth and profitability
Element Solutions grew annual revenue from $2.40B in FY2021 to $2.55B in FY2025, recording a 5-year revenue CAGR of 6.6%. After revenue declined 8.5% in FY2023, it rebounded 5.3% in FY2024 and rose 3.8% in FY2025. Gross margin expanded from 40.0% in FY2021 to 42.0% in FY2025, while operating margin stood at 13.4%. Net income reached $190.8M in FY2025, down from $244.2M in FY2024. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 56.4% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 61.9%. Operating cash flow totaled $289.8M in FY2025 with free cash flow of $227.6M.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Element Solutions held $189.6M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $2.12B, resulting in net debt of $1.93B. Shareholders' equity was $2.81B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 2.91. In FY2025, capital expenditures were $62.2M, while the company returned capital to shareholders through $25.0M in share buybacks and $77.8M in cash dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
At $35.05 per share, Element Solutions carries a market capitalization of $8.54B and an enterprise value of $10.57B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 47.4x and a forward P/E of 17.0x, compared to medians of 19.7x and 13.4x for its US-listed Basic Materials peers. Its EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 20.7x also stands above the peer median of 10.5x. Over the past year, the stock returned 39.4%, outperforming the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, though its 5-year return of 65.8% trailed the index return of 83.0%.
ESI dividend
Element Solutions pays an annual forward dividend of $0.32 per share, representing a dividend yield of 0.91% and a payout ratio of 19.3%. The company distributes dividends on a quarterly schedule and has paid consecutive dividends for 7 years. Over the past five years, its annualized dividend growth rate was 45.0%. The most recent ex-dividend date was September 1, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analysts hold 9 Strong Buy, 2 Buy, and 1 Hold ratings on Element Solutions, with no Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $47.08, which sits 34.3% above the last close of $35.05. For FY2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $3.73B and EPS of $1.82, reflecting 21.9% earnings growth. The company beat EPS estimates in all 4 of its last four quarters, with its next earnings release scheduled for October 21, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Net debt of $1.93B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75 could constrain financial flexibility if credit conditions tighten.
- Operating margins fell from 14.0% in FY2024 to 13.4% in FY2025 and stand at 11.8% over the trailing twelve months.
- Stock price volatility is higher than the broader market, evidenced by a beta of 1.26.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this ESI AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Element Solutions Inc (ESI). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: ESI income statement, ESI balance sheet, ESI key metrics, ESI analyst forecast, ESI chart. See the ESI stock overview for the latest quote and news.
ESI AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Element Solutions Inc's dividend yield and payout?
Element Solutions pays an annual forward dividend of $0.32 per share, which equates to a dividend yield of 0.91%. Its payout ratio is 19.3%, and the company has paid dividends for 7 consecutive years.
When is Element Solutions' next earnings report?
The company is scheduled to report its next financial results on October 21, 2026. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate EPS of $1.82 on revenue of $3.73B.
How much debt does Element Solutions have?
As of June 30, 2026, Element Solutions held $2.12B in total debt and $189.6M in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $1.93B. Its debt-to-equity ratio stood at 0.75.
How do analysts rate ESI stock?
Of the 12 covering analysts, 9 rate the stock a Strong Buy, 2 rate it a Buy, and 1 rates it a Hold. The average price target of $47.08 sits 34.3% above its last closing price of $35.05.