Zacks Value Investor Highlights: Eastman Chemical, Dow and Stepan

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – September 2, 2025 – Zacks Value Investor is a podcast hosted weekly by Zacks Stock Strategist Tracey Ryniec. Every week, Tracey will be joined by guests to discuss the hottest investing topics in stocks, bonds and ETFs and how it impacts your life. To listen to the podcast, click here: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2745162/chemical-stocks-plunge-values-or-trapsChemical Stocks Plunge: Values or Traps?Welcome to Episode #416 of the Value Investor Podcast.(1:00) - Can You Find Strong Value Investments Within The Chemical Industry?(7:30) - Tracey’s Top Stock Picks(25:00) - Episode Roundup: EMN, DOW, SCL, JMPLY                Podcast@Zacks.com  Every week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio, shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks.The chemical industry stocks have been struggling as earnings estimates have been cut.The Chemical – Diversified industry is in the bottom 4% of Zacks Rank Industries. It ranks 234 out of 245 industries.Why is it ranked so low?When this podcast was recorded on Aug 27, 2025, there were 28 companies in the industry. Out of those, there were no Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buys). There was only one #2 (Buy) stock. It’s featured on the podcast.There were thirteen #3 (Hold) stocks, four #4 (Sells) and eleven #5 (Strong Sell) stocks.The number of Strong Sell stocks in this industry reflects that the problems are industry wide. It has been an industry wide slowdown for the last 4 years.When these companies say “challenging macroeconomic environment”, they mean it. And now they are also dealing with tariffs.There is a lot of uncertainty.Definition of a Value Stock Compared to a TrapIt can look attractive to buy a stock that has sold off. Some of the chemical companies are trading at 5-year lows.A value stock is usually defined as one that is trading with low valuations in price-to-earnings, price-to-sales, or PEG ratios.But those aren’t the only factors. To avoid the trap, look at the earnings. Are they declining? Or growing?Value investors should be buying rising earnings. They, too, want growth. A trap will have declining earnings.3 Chemical Stocks Trading Near 5-Year Lows: Values or Traps?1. Eastman Chemical Co. (EMN)Eastman Chemical has a market cap of $7.8 billion. It operates 16 manufacturing facilities globally and makes chemicals, plastics and fibers. Shares are down 25.3% year-to-date and are at 5-year lows.Eastman Chemical has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11.2. A P/E ratio under 15 usually indicates value. It also pays a dividend, currently yielding 4.9%.Eastman Chemical is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).Is Eastman Chemical a value or a trap?2. Dow Inc. DOWDow has a market cap of $17.5 billion. It operates 91 manufacturing sites in 30 countries. Shares of Dow are down 39% year-to-date.It does not have a P/E as earnings are expected to be a loss of $0.83. Dow recently cut its dividend 50% but it still yields 5.7%. It has paid a dividend every year since 1912.Dow is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).Is Dow a value or a trap?3. Stepan Co. SCLStepan has a market cap of just $1.2 billion. It’s a specialty chemicals company with Surfactants and Polymers. Shares of Stepan are down 22.3% year-to-date.It trades with a forward P/E of 24. Stepan also pays a dividend, which is yielding 3%. It has raised its dividend every year for 57 years.Stepan is also a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).Is Stepan a value or a trap?Bonus Stock on the Podcast: A Zacks #2 (Buy) StockFind out which are values, and which are traps, on this week’s podcast and see the top ranked bonus stock too.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.com/performancePast 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.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They includeStock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and ResilienceStock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the DipStock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the MarketStock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for GrowthStock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to SpringMost of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.Want 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 Dow Inc. (DOW): Free Stock Analysis Report Eastman Chemical Company (EMN): Free Stock Analysis Report Stepan Company (SCL): 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