Dow reports second quarter 2025 results

MIDLAND, Mich., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow (NYSE: DOW):

2Q25 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net sales were $10.1 billion, down 7% year-over-year, reflecting declines in all operating segments. Sequentially, net sales were down 3%, as seasonally higher demand in Performance Materials & Coatings was more than offset by declines across the other operating segments.
• Volume decreased 1% year-over-year, as gains in the U.S. and Canada were more than offset by declines in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI). Sequentially, volume decreased 2%, as seasonally driven gains in Performance Materials & Coatings, including downstream silicones growth, were more than offset by declines in Packaging & Specialty Plastics. These declines reflect lower merchant ethylene sales arising from the recent startup of the Company's Poly-7 polyethylene asset in the U.S. Gulf Coast, unlocking the full value of integration going forward.
• Local price was down 7% versus the year-ago period, reflecting declines in all regions and operating segments. Sequentially, local price was down 3%.
• GAAP net loss was $801 million. Op. EBIT¹ was a loss of $21 million, down $840 million year-over-year, primarily driven by lower prices and equity earnings. Sequentially, Op. EBIT was down $251 million, as tailwinds from currency and the Company's cost reduction program were more than offset by declines in Packaging & Specialty Plastics from lower integrated margins.
• GAAP loss per share was $1.18; operating earnings per share (EPS)¹ was a loss of $0.42, compared to earnings of $0.68 in the year-ago period and earnings of $0.02 in the prior quarter. Op. EPS excludes significant items totaling $0.76 per share, primarily driven by restructuring program severance and related benefit costs and asset related charges, including recently announced European portfolio actions.
• Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations was negative $470 million, down $1.3 billion year-over-year and down $574 million sequentially, led by lower earnings from margin compression.
• Returns to shareholders totaled $496 million of dividends in the quarter.

CEO QUOTE
"This quarter the Dow team advanced several aggressive actions in response to the lower-for-longer earnings environment that our industry is facing, amplified by recent trade and tariff uncertainties. We are delivering near-term cash support and earnings growth levers, which we anticipate will total more than $6 billion by 2026. We are also focused on improving margins and optimizing our global portfolio in the face of continued weak macroeconomic conditions, as evidenced by our recent European portfolio actions," said Jim Fitterling, Dow chair and CEO. "We are also adjusting our dividend to ensure we maintain a balanced capital allocation framework. We remain committed to targeting a competitive dividend across the economic cycle. The actions we are taking provide additional financial flexibility to help guarantee we maximize shareholder value, both in the current environment and as the industry recovers."

SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS

SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Packaging & Specialty Plastics

Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment net sales in the quarter were $5 billion, down 9% versus the year-ago period¹. Local price decreased 10% year-over-year, primarily driven by lower downstream polymer prices. Currency increased net sales by 1%. Volume increased 1% year-over-year, driven by higher energy sales and polyethylene volumes, partly offset by lower volumes in functional polymers. On a sequential basis, net sales declined, primarily driven by lower merchant ethylene sales. This was the result of the start-up of Poly-7, which will lead to a balanced ethylene position in the U.S. Gulf Coast, driving margin uplift through full downstream integration.

Equity earnings were $7 million, a decrease of $48 million compared to the prior year, due to lower integrated margins at our principal joint ventures. Sequentially, equity earnings decreased by $32 million, primarily driven by higher losses at Sadara and the Thai joint ventures.

Op. EBIT was $71 million, a decrease of $632 million compared to the year-ago period, primarily driven by lower integrated margins. Sequentially, Op. EBIT decreased by $271 million, notably due to lower integrated margins and operating rates on top of higher planned maintenance.

Packaging and Specialty Plastics business reported a net sales decrease versus the year-ago period, driven by lower downstream polymer prices, the impact of the laminating adhesives business divestiture¹, and lower demand for infrastructure applications. Sequentially, net sales decreased, as higher demand for flexible and rigid packaging was more than offset by lower licensing revenue and polyethylene prices, weighed down by tariff uncertainties.

Hydrocarbons & Energy business reported a net sales decrease compared to the year-ago period, driven by lower aromatics prices, partly offset by higher energy sales. Sequentially, net sales decreased, driven by lower merchant ethylene sales, primarily from the start-up of Poly-7.   

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure  

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment net sales were $2.8 billion, down 6% versus the year-ago period. Local price declined 5% year-over-year, reflecting declines in both businesses. Currency increased net sales by 1%. Volume decreased 2% year-over-year, driven by lower volumes in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals, partly offset by higher volumes in Industrial Solutions. On a sequential basis, net sales decreased 2% as the seasonally lower deicing fluids volume was partially offset by currency tailwinds and a lower-than-typical seasonal improvement in demand for building & construction applications.

Equity losses for the segment were $39 million, compared to equity losses of $31 million in the year-ago period, primarily driven by lower MEG margins at the Kuwait joint ventures. Equity losses in the prior quarter were $58 million. Sequentially, equity losses improved by $19 million, driven by higher operating rates at Sadara.

Op. EBIT decreased $192 million versus the year-ago period, driven by lower prices in both businesses and higher planned maintenance activity. On a sequential basis, Op. EBIT decreased by $57 million, driven by lower volume, higher planned maintenance activity, and activities related to the startup of our Alkoxylation unit in Seadrift, TX, which has now reached mechanical completion.

Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals business reported a decrease in net sales compared to the year-ago period, driven by lower volume and price in EMEAI. Sequentially, net sales were flat as currency tailwinds and modest seasonal improvements in demand for building & construction applications were offset by lower demand in mobility applications.

Industrial Solutions business reported a decrease in net sales compared to the year-ago period, primarily driven by lower local prices, which were partially offset by higher demand for energy applications. Sequentially, net sales declined, driven by typical declines in demand for deicing fluids following the winter months.

Performance Materials & Coatings

Performance Materials & Coatings segment net sales in the quarter were $2.1 billion, down 5% versus the year-ago period. Local price decreased 3% year-over-year, driven by declines in both businesses. Currency increased net sales by 1%. Volume was down 3% year-over-year, as volume gains in downstream silicones were more than offset by lower volumes for coatings applications and in upstream siloxanes. On a sequential basis, net sales were up 3% with gains in both businesses, driven by seasonally higher demand for architectural coatings and higher downstream silicones volumes.

Op. EBIT increased $6 million versus the year-ago period, driven by margin expansion from lower input costs, which were partly offset by lower volumes. Sequentially, Op. EBIT increased $103 million, driven by lower input costs and volume gains in both businesses, from both seasonal improvements and continued downstream silicones growth, as well as lower fixed costs.

Consumer Solutions business reported a decrease in net sales versus the year-ago period, as downstream silicones volume gains were more than offset by both lower prices and lower upstream siloxanes volumes. Sequentially, net sales increased, driven by higher demand for downstream silicones, led by mobility, personal care and industrial applications.

Coatings & Performance Monomers business reported a decrease in net sales compared to the year-ago period, driven by lower demand for coatings applications, as the housing market continues to be challenged. Sequentially, net sales increased, driven by seasonally higher demand for architectural coatings, partly offset by lower acrylic monomers volumes.

OUTLOOK

"Dow's strategic actions enable us to mitigate the dynamic factors that our industry is facing. However, signs of oversupply from newer market entrants who are exporting to various regions at anti-competitive economics require broader industry engagement and additional regulatory action to restore competitive dynamics," said Fitterling. "The commissioning of our near-term growth projects, which are all operational in the third quarter, paired with our longer-term strategic investments, will increase Dow's position in higher-value applications and attractive end markets that are not exposed to this same level of anti-competitive activity. This will enable more resilient earnings and leading shareholder returns. Additionally, Team Dow is focused on structurally improving our cost base, optimizing our global asset footprint, and maintaining our track record of operational excellence to further strengthen our competitive advantages."

Conference Call

Dow will host a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results, business outlook and other matters today at 8:00 a.m. ET. The webcast and slide presentation that accompany the conference call will be posted on the events and presentations page of investors.dow.com.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases.

Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow's control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow's products; Dow's expenses, future revenues and profitability; any sanctions, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow's contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow's ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe, including the completion and success of its integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility in Alberta, Canada; size of the markets for Dow's products and services and ability to compete in such markets; Dow's ability to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow's products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow's intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow's significant customers and suppliers; changes in public sentiment and political leadership; increased concerns about plastics in the environment and lack of a circular economy for plastics at scale; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions, tariffs and trade policies, or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business, logistics, and supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow's information technology networks and systems, including the impact of cyberattacks; risks related to Dow's separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow's obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities; and any global and regional economic impacts of a pandemic or other public health-related risks and events on Dow's business.

Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow's business. Dow Inc. and The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.

®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company or an affiliated company of Dow   

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release includes information that does not conform to GAAP and are considered non-GAAP measures. Management uses these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the Company's segments, including allocating resources. Dow's management believes that these non-GAAP measures best reflect the ongoing performance of the Company during the periods presented and provide more relevant and meaningful information to investors as they provide insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and a more useful comparison of year-over-year results. These non-GAAP measures supplement the Company's GAAP disclosures and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP measures of performance. Furthermore, such non-GAAP measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided or used by other companies. Non-GAAP measures included in this release are defined below. Reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures to GAAP are provided in the Selected Financial Information and Non-GAAP Measures section starting on page 11. Dow does not provide forward-looking GAAP financial measures or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, unusual gains and losses, foreign currency exchange gains or losses and potential future asset impairments, as well as discrete taxable events, without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP results for the guidance period.

Operating Earnings Per Share is defined as "Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted" excluding the after-tax impact of significant items.

Operating EBIT is defined as earnings (i.e., "Income (loss) before income taxes") before interest, excluding the impact of significant items.

Operating EBIT Margin is defined as Operating EBIT as a percentage of net sales.

Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings (i.e., "Income (loss) before income taxes") before interest, depreciation and amortization, excluding the impact of significant items.

Free Cash Flow is defined as "Cash provided by (used for) operating activities - continuing operations," less capital expenditures. Under this definition, Free Cash Flow represents the cash generated by the Company from operations after investing in its asset base. Free Cash Flow, combined with cash balances and other sources of liquidity, represent the cash available to fund obligations and provide returns to shareholders. Free Cash Flow is an integral financial measure used in the Company's financial planning process.

Cash Flow Conversion is defined as "Cash provided by (used for) operating activities - continuing operations," divided by Operating EBITDA. Management believes Cash Flow Conversion is an important financial metric as it helps the Company determine how efficiently it is converting its earnings into cash flow.

Operating Return on Capital (ROC) is defined as net operating profit after tax, excluding the impact of significant items, divided by total average capital, also referred to as ROIC.

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SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company