📊 CE Key Takeaways
Is Celanese Corp (CE) a Good Investment?
Celanese faces significant financial stress with declining revenues (-7.1% YoY) and profitability pressures, exacerbated by excessive leverage (3.10x Debt/Equity) and dangerously tight interest coverage (1.2x). The company generates minimal free cash flow (0.4% margin) with anemic returns (ROE 1.1%, ROA 0.2%), limiting its ability to service debt or fund growth in a cyclical industry.
Celanese's fundamentals are pressured by declining revenue, deeply negative operating and net margins, and a balance sheet carrying heavy leverage relative to equity. While the business still generates positive operating cash flow and free cash flow, current cash generation is not strong enough to offset the risk implied by negative interest coverage and weak returns on assets and equity.
Why Buy Celanese Corp Stock? CE Key Strengths
- Maintains positive gross margin (20%) and operating margin (9.2%) despite headwinds
- Generates positive operating cash flow ($76M) and minimal positive free cash flow
- Substantial asset base ($21.7B) and $1.8B cash position provide financial cushion
- Positive operating cash flow of $1.15B and free cash flow of $803M provide some internal funding capacity
- Liquidity is still manageable with a 1.55x current ratio and 0.94x quick ratio
- Gross margin of 20.5% suggests the core business retains underlying product value despite earnings pressure
CE Stock Risks: Celanese Corp Investment Risks
- Excessive leverage at 3.10x Debt/Equity with interest coverage of only 1.2x creates debt service vulnerability
- Revenue declining 7.1% YoY with net margin deteriorating to 1.9%, indicating operational challenges in cyclical markets
- Extremely low free cash flow generation (0.4% margin) constrains financial flexibility and debt repayment capacity
- Quick ratio of 0.85x suggests working capital pressure and potential liquidity concerns
- Returns on equity (1.1%) and assets (0.2%) are critically low, destroying shareholder value
- Operating income of -$786M and net income of -$1.17B indicate severe profitability deterioration
- High leverage with $12.61B of long-term debt and 3.12x debt-to-equity raises refinancing and balance-sheet risk
- Negative interest coverage of -1.1x suggests earnings are currently insufficient to support debt service comfortably
Key Metrics to Watch
- Interest coverage ratio trend (critical risk if declining below 1.2x)
- Free cash flow generation (must improve to meaningfully reduce leverage)
- Revenue stabilization (negative growth trajectory must reverse)
- Debt/Equity ratio and refinancing capability as debt matures
- Operating margin recovery and interest coverage improvement
- Debt reduction progress relative to free cash flow generation
Celanese Corp (CE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The relatively thin 0.4% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility.
CE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
CE vs Materials Sector: How Celanese Corp Compares
How Celanese Corp compares to Materials sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Celanese Corp Stock Overvalued? CE Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Celanese Corp shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Materials sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Celanese Corp Balance Sheet: CE Debt, Cash & Liquidity
CE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Celanese Corp's revenue has grown significantly by 28% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $17.76 reflects profitable operations.
CE Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
CE Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $2.3B | -$24.0M | $-0.22 |
| Q3 2025 | $2.4B | $113.0M | $1.03 |
| Q2 2025 | $2.5B | $155.0M | $1.41 |
| Q1 2025 | $2.4B | -$21.0M | $-0.19 |
| Q3 2024 | $2.6B | $116.0M | $1.06 |
| Q2 2024 | $2.7B | $155.0M | $1.41 |
| Q1 2024 | $2.6B | $91.0M | $0.83 |
| Q3 2023 | $2.3B | $191.0M | $1.75 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Celanese Corp Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
CE SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Celanese Corp (CIK: 0001306830)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
| Date | Form | Document | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778703866.xml | View → |
| May 13, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778703340.xml | View → |
| May 13, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778703305.xml | View → |
| May 13, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778703237.xml | View → |
| May 13, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778703185.xml | View → |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CE
What is the AI rating for CE?
Celanese Corp (CE) has a Combined AI Rating of SELL from Claude (SELL) and ChatGPT (SELL) with 80% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are CE's key strengths?
Claude: Maintains positive gross margin (20%) and operating margin (9.2%) despite headwinds. Generates positive operating cash flow ($76M) and minimal positive free cash flow. ChatGPT: Positive operating cash flow of $1.15B and free cash flow of $803M provide some internal funding capacity. Liquidity is still manageable with a 1.55x current ratio and 0.94x quick ratio.
What are the risks of investing in CE?
Claude: Excessive leverage at 3.10x Debt/Equity with interest coverage of only 1.2x creates debt service vulnerability. Revenue declining 7.1% YoY with net margin deteriorating to 1.9%, indicating operational challenges in cyclical markets. ChatGPT: Operating income of -$786M and net income of -$1.17B indicate severe profitability deterioration. High leverage with $12.61B of long-term debt and 3.12x debt-to-equity raises refinancing and balance-sheet risk.
What is CE's revenue and growth?
Celanese Corp reported revenue of $2.3B.
Does CE pay dividends?
Celanese Corp pays dividends, with $3.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find CE SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Celanese Corp (CIK: 0001306830) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is CE's EPS?
Celanese Corp has a diluted EPS of $0.40.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is CE a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, Celanese Corp has a SELL rating with 80% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is CE stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for CE: ROE of 1.1% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 1.9% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy CE stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Celanese Corp a combined SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is CE's free cash flow?
Celanese Corp's operating cash flow is $76.0M, with capital expenditures of $66.0M. FCF margin is 0.4%.
How does CE compare to other Materials stocks?
Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin 1.9% (avg: 10%), ROE 1.1% (avg: 14%), current ratio 1.38 (avg: 1.6).
Is Celanese Corp carrying too much debt?
CE has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10x, which is above the Materials sector average of 0.6x. However, the current ratio of 1.38 suggests adequate short-term liquidity.