Huntsman (HUN) Slides As Specialty Chemicals Narrative Keeps Valuation In Focus
Huntsman stock reaction and recent performance
Without a specific news catalyst driving trading in Huntsman (HUN), investors are focusing on how the stock’s recent performance lines up with the company’s fundamentals and current earnings profile.
The share price closed at $10.16 on 18 August 2026. That sits alongside a reported annual revenue of $5,898.0m and a net loss of $168.0m, which frame Huntsman’s current valuation and risk profile.
See our latest analysis for Huntsman.
Huntsman’s share price has retreated over the past quarter, with a 30 day share price return of down 19.4% and a 90 day share price return of down 30.0%. The 1 year total shareholder return is up 4.2%, but the 3 and 5 year total shareholder returns are both down more than 50%, indicating fading momentum over longer horizons.
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For Huntsman, a 30% slide over 90 days and a modest 1 year gain raises a basic issue: Is pricing now catching up with a pressured earnings profile, or has sentiment moved further than the business fundamentals justify?
Most Popular Narrative: 14% Undervalued
Huntsman’s most followed narrative puts fair value at $11.82, above the recent $10.16 share price, which frames the current weakness against a more constructive long term view.
The company is actively transforming its portfolio away from lower-margin, commodity chemicals toward specialty chemicals (e.g., adhesives, elastomers, aerospace composites), aiming to further improve EBITDA margins and overall profitability in future cycles. Cost optimization, working capital discipline, and strategic asset closures (e.g., the maleic anhydride facility in Europe) are expected to enhance free cash flow generation and support improved net margins and earnings resilience during the next macro upturn.
Want to see what underpins that $11.82 fair value on Huntsman? The narrative leans heavily on shifting product mix, margin rebuild, and a re-rated future earnings multiple.
Result: Fair Value of $11.82 (UNDERVALUED)
Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.
However, Huntsman investors still need to weigh risks such as prolonged overcapacity in polyurethanes and higher European input costs, which could keep margins under pressure.
Find out about the key risks to this Huntsman narrative.
Another view on Huntsman valuation
The first Huntsman narrative leans on future earnings and analyst price targets. A different lens uses the SWS DCF model, which indicates the stock at $10.16 is trading above an estimated future cash flow value of $9.31. That points to Huntsman as overvalued on this measure. Which framework do you find more convincing for your own assumptions?
To see how this cash flow view is built step by step, and how sensitive it is to different inputs, Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.
Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out Huntsman for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 50 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity.
Next Steps
With sentiment on Huntsman mixed between concern and optimism, this is a good moment to review the data yourself and decide how you see the balance of risks and rewards. To frame that view quickly and clearly, it helps to look at 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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