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This is our first edition of the IHS Markit Company Strategies
and Performance earnings podcast, where we aim to provide you with
a flavour of the results coming out of the financial reporting
season.
Lyn Tattum, VP, Global Chemical Market Information is joined by
Ian Young from Chemical Week to discuss how 2019 has been shaping
up to date for some of the leading companies, focusing specifically
on BASF and LyondellBasell, and how some of the changes taking
place at these companies are likely to impact their 2019
results.
As we move through 2019, some of the profit warnings we heard at
the end of 2018 are proving to be accurate, notably for products
linked to the automotive, electronics, and oil and gas markets.
Overall, first-quarter earnings were characterized by slowing
demand growth, a sharp drop in oil prices, volatile currencies, and
rising economic and trade risks—factors that put a damper on
results and sentiment. But there were signs of improvement on the
weak fourth quarter of 2018.
Looking ahead, our IHS Markit chief economist Nariman Behravesh
projected a global growth slowdown from 3.2% in 2018 to 2.9% in
2019.
And although many companies forecast challenges for 2019
—including raw material inflation and demand softness in
certain regions and end markets—some still expect earnings and
sales to increase, but at a slower rate than last year.
