Truist Securities maintains Buy rating on Westlake, $90 price target

Westlake Corporation is closing its PVC plant in Cologne, Germany, due to challenging market conditions and higher costs. The company expects to record pre-tax charges of $205 million, with $110 million in 2026. The closure aims to improve profitability in its European chlorovinyl operations. Westlake anticipates lower financial performance in Q3 2026.

Westlake (WLK) stock fell 3.4% to $64.55 after announcing the permanent closure of its PVC plant in Cologne, Germany, and warning of weaker Q3 2026 performance. The closure will incur $205M in pre-tax charges, with $110M expected in 2026. The decision is due to challenging market conditions, including high energy costs and competition. The company also expects lower financial performance in Q3 2026 due to lower prices and higher freight costs.

Westlake Corporation (WLK) will close its PVC plant in Cologne, Germany, due to challenging market conditions. The company expects to record pre-tax charges of $205 million, with $110 million in 2026. The closure is expected to improve the profitability of its European chlorovinyl operations. Westlake anticipates lower financial performance in Q3 2026 compared to Q2 2026.

WESTLAKE CORP (WLK) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Regulation FD Disclosure. Exhibit 99.1 Westlake to Optimize European Chlorovinyls Footprint with Closure of Cologne PVC Plant HOUSTON, September 29, 2026 — Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) (“Westlake” or the “Company”) announced today that, in light of challenging market conditions, the Company is taking

Westlake (WLK) reported Q2 net income of $260M ($2.01/Share), reversing prior losses, driven by a 14% price increase in its chemicals segment. EBITDA tripled YoY. Housing segment margins slipped. Debt reduced by $500M, $99M returned to shareholders. Hedge funds increased holdings, but short interest remains high at 17.44%. Forward P/E is 15.02.

Wells Fargo's Timna Tanners downgraded Vulcan Materials (VMC) to Underweight, cutting the target to $254. BMO's John McNulty downgraded Westlake (WLK) to Market Perform, reducing the target to $82. Tanners also downgraded Amrize (AMRZ) and Eagle Materials (EXP), lowering their targets to $44 and $196, respectively.