Asset Manager Cuts LyondellBasell Stake 18% as Yield Hits 12%
Asset Management One Co. Ltd. reduced its holdings in LyondellBasell by 18.4%, selling 29,192 shares valued at $6.35 million. Investor’s Business Daily reports LyondellBasell shares yield 12% and are up 10% year-to-date, versus a 2.3% average for dividend-paying S&P 500 stocks.
1. Exceptional Dividend Yield and Share Performance
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. currently offers a remarkably high dividend yield of 12%, more than five times the 2.3% average among S&P 500 dividend payers. The company has delivered a total shareholder return of approximately 10% so far this year, driven by its commitment to returning cash to investors. Most recently, the firm paid a quarterly distribution of $1.37 per share, representing an annualized payout of $5.48 and reinforcing its appeal to income‐focused portfolios despite broader market volatility.
2. Institutional Shareholder Movements
During the third quarter, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. reduced its position in LyondellBasell by 18.4%, selling 29,192 shares and ending the period with 129,571 shares valued at $6.35 million. Other notable shifts included Crews Bank & Trust increasing its stake by 16.4% to 1,245 shares and New York Life Investment Management adding 193 shares to reach 38,521 shares. Overall, institutional ownership stands at roughly 71.2%, underscoring the importance of monitoring continued portfolio rebalancing by major asset managers.
3. Third‐Quarter Earnings and Financial Metrics
For the quarter ended September 30, LyondellBasell reported adjusted earnings of $1.01 per share, topping consensus estimates by $0.21, while sales reached $7.73 billion against forecasts of $7.41 billion. Although revenue declined 10.2% year‐over‐year, the company maintained a positive return on equity of 7.5%. Operating leverage improvements and cost control initiatives helped offset margin pressure, though net profit margin remained negative at 3.7%. Management reiterated full‐year guidance, anticipating approximately $6.31 in earnings per share for 2025.
4. Analyst Ratings and Outlook
Analyst sentiment on LyondellBasell is mixed. Of 22 published recommendations, two carry Buy ratings, 16 are Hold and four are Sell, yielding an average consensus of Reduce. Price targets have been adjusted downward in recent months, with the consensus range spanning $36 to $75. Analysts cite ongoing raw material price volatility, environmental compliance costs and cyclicality in end markets as key factors influencing their near‐term outlook, while noting the dividend yield and cash flow generation as offsetting strengths.