Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights H.B. Fuller, Hawkins and Perimeter Solutions

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – May 29, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses H.B. Fuller Co. FUL, Hawkins, Inc. HWKN and Perimeter Solutions, Inc. PRM.Industry: Specialty ChemicalLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2477963/3-chemical-specialty-stocks-to-escape-industry-headwindsThe Zacks Chemicals Specialty industry is facing challenges from demand weakness, largely due to sluggishness in Europe and a slow economic recovery in China, as well as disruptions from tariffs. Margins of companies in this space also remain under pressure due to the still-elevated input, supply chain and logistics costs.Industry players, such as H.B. Fuller Co., Hawkins, Inc. and Perimeter Solutions, Inc., are banking on strategic measures, including operating cost reductions, to tide over a persistently challenging environment.About the IndustryThe Zacks Chemicals Specialty industry consists of manufacturers of specialty chemical products for a host of end-use markets such as textile, paper, automotive, electronics, personal care, energy, construction, food & beverages and agriculture. These chemicals (including catalysts, surfactants, specialty polymers, coating additives, pesticides and oilfield chemicals) are used based on their performance and have a specific purpose.Specialty chemicals can be single molecules or a combination of molecules referred to as formulations, and they provide a vast range of effects upon which various industries rely. Their compositions significantly influence the performance of the finished products. Specialty chemicals have applications in the manufacturing process of a vast range of products, including paints and coatings, cosmetics, petroleum products, inks and plastics.What's Shaping the Future of the Chemical Specialty Industry?Headwinds From Demand Softness: Companies in the chemical specialty space are facing headwinds from demand softness in building and construction as well as industrial end markets, especially in Europe and China, due to economic slowdown. Elevated borrowing costs and inflation have taken a bite out of the residential construction industry. Manufacturing activities have also weakened amid softer demand for goods and higher borrowing costs.A slower recovery in economic activities in China is hurting demand in that country. The prevailing geopolitical tension, low consumer confidence and high inflation have also dampened demand in Europe. While customer inventory de-stocking is almost complete, some lingering impacts of the same in certain markets are expected to continue over the near term.The recent imposition of hefty tariffs has also introduced significant headwinds for the chemical specialty industry. The soft demand conditions, exacerbated by the weak macroeconomic environment and tariff-induced impacts, are likely to weigh on the volumes of chemical specialty companies.Cost Pressure Still a Worry: Specialty chemical makers are facing headwinds from raw material and energy cost inflation, and supply-chain and freight transportation disruptions. Some companies are exposed to challenges from elevated logistics and labor costs. While raw material costs have moderated lately, driven by easing supply-chain disruptions, they remain higher than the pre-pandemic levels. Tariffs have also led to increased costs for raw materials, resulting in higher production expenses for the industry players. The lingering impacts of inflationary pressures are expected to continue over the short term and weigh on the margins of chemical specialty companies.Strategic Actions to Aid Results: The companies in this space are executing a raft of self-help measures — including cost-cutting and productivity improvement, expansion into high-growth markets, restructuring, operational efficiency improvement, and actions to strengthen the balance sheet and boost cash flows — in a bid to stay afloat amid the prevailing headwinds. The industry participants are aggressively implementing actions to cut costs. The measures are likely to help companies sail through the ongoing challenges.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Downbeat ProspectsThe Zacks Chemicals Specialty industry is part of the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #135, which places it in the bottom 45% of more than 250 Zacks industries.The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates a bleak near term. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.Industry Underperforms S&P 500The Zacks Chemicals Specialty industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite while outperforming the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector over the past year.The industry has gained 1.2% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s rise of 10% and the broader sector’s decline of 8.2%.Industry's Current ValuationOn the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing chemical stocks, the industry is currently trading at 11.96X, below the S&P 500’s 16.39X and the sector’s 12.47X.Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 14.38X, as low as 8.93X, with a median of 11.67X.3 Chemical Specialty Stocks to Keep a Close Eye OnH.B. Fuller: Based in Minnesota, H.B. Fuller manufactures and markets adhesives, sealants, coatings and other specialty chemical products. It remains focused on executing pricing actions, market share gains and managing cost structure in a soft demand environment. FUL is streamlining its manufacturing cost structure and optimizing its portfolio to achieve its margin target. It is seeing positive organic sales growth and is benefiting from volume gains, restructuring savings and favorable pricing. Continued strength in roofing and electronics and a recovery in the infrastructure and mechanical markets are likely to aid its performance.H.B. Fuller currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has expected earnings growth of 4.9% for the current fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FUL’s current fiscal-year earnings has moved up 1.3% over the last 60 days. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Hawkins: Minnesota-based Hawkins is a leading specialty chemical and ingredients company that formulates, distributes, blends and manufactures products for its customers. Hawkins is seeing strong growth in its Water Treatment segment, reflecting its strategic emphasis on the water treatment sector, including the successful integration of recent acquisitions.The acquisition of Industrial Research Corporation aligns with Hawkins’ growth strategy in central and northern Louisiana, eastern Texas and southern Arkansas, complementing its existing operations and enhancing its market presence. The Wofford Water Service buyout also extended HWKN’s reach in Mississippi and supporting its expansion in the southern United States, where its Water Treatment business had been limited previously.The Amerochem assets and WaterSurplus acquisitions further strengthened its Water Treatment footprint. HWKN’s judicious pricing strategy to counter cost inflation is also supporting results. It also remains committed to enhancing shareholders’ value.Hawkins, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has expected earnings growth of 8.4% for the current fiscal year. The consensus estimate for HWKN’s earnings for the current fiscal has moved 2.6% upward over the last 60 days.Perimeter Solutions: Missouri-based Perimeter Solutions is a leading provider of solutions for the fire safety and specialty products industries. It is expected to benefit from the recovery of major end markets. Favorable industry trends are expected to continue to drive demand for fire-retardant products.The company remains focused on expanding its fire prevention and protection business. Its Specialty Products segment is seeing sales growth aided by a recovery from de-stocking activities and an increase in purchases by high-quality specialty chemicals customers. PRM’s strong balance sheet also offers adequate liquidity for growth investments and M&A opportunities.Perimeter Solutions currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. It has expected earnings growth of 2.7% for 2025. The consensus estimate for PRM’s 2025 earnings has moved up 67.6% over the last 60 days.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report H. B. Fuller Company (FUL): Free Stock Analysis Report Hawkins, Inc. (HWKN): Free Stock Analysis Report Perimeter Solutions, SA (PRM): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks