NewMarket (NEU) is lower today after releasing first-quarter 2026 earnings on April 22, 2026. The company posted net income of $118.1 million and EPS of $12.62, down from $125.9 million and $13.26 a year earlier, alongside lower total sales of $669.7 million versus $700.9 million.

In petroleum additives, sales fell to $609.8 million from $645.6 million and operating profit declined to $135.0 million from $142.1 million. Management attributed the drop primarily to a 7% shipment decline due to market softness and a strategic move to review and reduce low-margin business, with lower lubricant additives volumes partly offset by higher fuel additives shipments. In specialty materials, sales rose to $58.1 million from $53.7 million due to the inclusion of Calca Solutions (acquired Oct. 1, 2025), but operating profit fell to $12.4 million from $23.2 million, driven by a shift in quarterly product shipment mix at AMPAC.

NewMarket highlighted continued cash returns, including $125.6 million of share repurchases in the quarter and $28.0 million of dividends paid (the release lists cash dividends declared at $3.00 per share for the quarter). Investors will focus on whether late-quarter shipment trends carry into Q2, and whether pricing actions can keep margins resilient as the company navigates expected cost escalation in raw materials, utilities, and logistics amid changing trade relations and tariffs. The company scheduled a conference call and webcast for 3:00 p.m. ET on April 23, 2026 to discuss results.