BASF Draws a Bearish Broker Call as It Reshapes the Portfolio
Published on 11/14/2026 at 11:01 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Jefferies turned negative on BASF on Wednesday, cutting the Ludwigshafen group to "Underperform" from "Hold" while keeping its price target at 44 euros. Analyst Priyanka Patel pointed to thinning margins, stubborn overcapacity, higher gas prices and a demand recovery that has yet to materialise. Her model puts BASF's operating result for 2027 about 5 percent below consensus, so the caution runs through both earnings power and the demand picture.
The downgrade landed in the middle of a busy week for the chemicals maker, which combined a buyback update, a divestment, a major US start-up and a green-power pledge for part of its European production.
Buyback keeps rolling
BASF reported on Monday that it had repurchased roughly 352,000 of its own shares under its buyback programme. Purchases through 6 November inclusive reached about 7.95 million shares since the programme began on 3 August.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying BASF?
Mining unit heads to SNF
On Thursday the company signed an agreement to sell its global mining chemicals business to France's SNF. The deal covers some 140 employees and the Cork production site in Ireland. BASF expects the transaction to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Evonik holds its ground
No progress was made on the proposed takeover of Evonik. According to Reuters, Evonik stuck to its rejection of the raised offer on Monday even after talks between the two companies' leadership, and no further meetings were planned following that report. BASF is the potential buyer in the approach, with Evonik the target.
A billion-dollar MDI plant in Louisiana
Wednesday also brought the official start-up of BASF's new MDI plant at the Geismar integrated site in Louisiana. The investment came to around 1 billion US dollars, lifting annual production capacity at the location to roughly 600,000 tonnes.
Renewable power for polyisobutene
A day earlier, BASF said it would switch its European polyisobutene production for external customers entirely to electricity from renewable sources. The conversion of the eligible Oppanol B and Glissopal products is scheduled for completion from January 2027.
Ad
BASF Stock: New Analysis - 14 November
Fresh BASF information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
