$AKZOY

Barclays upgraded Akzo Nobel to Outperform from Equal Weight, citing a Q2 earnings recovery in European chemicals. The bank said EBITDA beat expectations across the group and pricing turned positive year over year, which it viewed as improving performance versus prior periods.

Barclays upgraded Akzo Nobel N.V. to Overweight and raised its price target, according to the note cited in the article. The report references a composite rating framework based on valuation, EPS revisions, and visibility metrics.

AkzoNobel shareholders approved all resolutions for the proposed all-share merger with Axalta at an Aug. 5, 2026 extraordinary general meeting, including merger approval, share issuance, board appointments and remuneration policy. Axalta shareholders also voted in favor. The deal moves to regulatory review and other closing conditions, with completion expected end-2026 or early 2027.

Shareholders of Axalta Coating Systems and Akzo Nobel have approved their merger, according to the article. The piece also notes Axalta’s stock price at about $37.84 and references an RBC view that the company is tracking toward the 2026 EBITDA midpoint as strength in refinish and truck coatings builds.

Akzo Nobel and Axalta Coating Systems said they refined governance terms for their planned all-share merger of equals after shareholder dialogue. Changes include annual director re-election after an initial three-year period, and lowering a non-executive approval threshold from 75% to two-thirds for key decisions. No changes to the combined company articles or meeting agendas were required.

Akzo Nobel reported 5% organic growth in Q2 core profit, beating estimates. Adjusted EBITDA rose to €398m from €393m, above analysts’ €392m expectation, helped by previously announced price increases offsetting higher raw-material costs. CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume said differences were mainly due to divestment in India. The company also plans a merger with Axalta, with a shareholder vote on Aug 5.

Akzo Nobel shares rose 1.3% after the company reported Q2 adjusted EBITDA of €398 million, up 5% and above consensus (€392 million). Revenue was €2.59 billion. Akzo Nobel upgraded full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to at least €1.47 billion vs prior €1.42 billion estimate, and reiterated its Axalta merger vote on Aug 5.

Bernstein expects a largely solid Q2 earnings season for the chemicals sector, with limited guidance changes. It names Akzo Nobel its highest-conviction pick, arguing FY2026 EBITDA guidance cut expectations are too bearish (models €1.48B vs consensus ~€1.42B). It is cautious on Air Liquide and Solvay, citing elevated growth expectations and guidance-miss risk.

Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings completed a phase of a EUR 22 million expansion at its Pamiers, France site to boost aerospace coatings capacity, workflow efficiency, and technical capabilities. The project adds a 2,000 m² temperature-controlled warehouse, a 638 m² waste facility, new application cabins and lab benches, and upgrades for non-chromate coatings. Completion is expected by end-2026, inauguration in 2027.

Akzo Nobel said it is partnering with Albert Invent to integrate Albert OS AI tools into its Digital Workbench R&D initiative. The program aims to connect lab workflows and experimental data across Akzo Nobel’s 70 labs and 2,000 R&D staff in 20+ countries to speed innovation of coatings. Rollout is underway, according to the companies.