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Celanese Corp (CE) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

CE NYSE Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) DE CIK: 0001306830
Updated This Month • Analysis: Mar 22, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
Combined AI Rating
SELL
88% Confidence
AGREEMENT
STRONG SELL
92% Conf
SELL
83% Conf

📊 CE Key Takeaways

Revenue: $9.5B
Net Margin: -12.2%
Free Cash Flow: $803.0M
Current Ratio: 1.55x
Debt/Equity: 3.12x
EPS: $-10.64
AI Rating: STRONG SELL with 92% confidence
Celanese Corp (CE) receives a SELL rating with 88% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $9.5B, net profit margin of -12.2%, and return on equity (ROE) of -28.8%, Celanese Corp demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Materials sector. Below is our complete CE stock analysis for 2026.

Is Celanese Corp (CE) a Good Investment?

Claude

Celanese faces severe operational distress with negative operating income of -$786M and net losses of -$1.2B despite $9.5B in revenue, indicating fundamental business challenges beyond temporary headwinds. The company's negative interest coverage ratio (-1.1x) combined with high leverage (3.12x debt/equity) creates significant financial stress, while deteriorating profitability margins suggest structural issues in cost management or demand weakness across its chemical manufacturing operations.

ChatGPT

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

Claude
  • + Positive free cash flow of $803M despite operational losses, indicating some ability to generate cash from operations
  • + Solid gross margin of 20.5% suggests core manufacturing operations retain reasonable pricing power
  • + Current ratio of 1.55x provides adequate short-term liquidity cushion for immediate obligations
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
  • + Gross margin of 20.5% suggests the core business retains underlying product value despite earnings pressure

CE Stock Risks: Celanese Corp Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Severe profitability crisis with operating margin of -8.2% and net margin of -12.2%, unable to cover interest expenses
  • ! Unsustainable leverage with $12.6B long-term debt against only $4.0B equity and inability to service debt from operations
  • ! Revenue declining -7.1% YoY combined with negative ROE (-28.8%) and ROA (-5.4%) indicates deteriorating competitive position and operational efficiency
  • ! Negative interest coverage ratio suggests company cannot cover interest payments from earnings, creating refinancing risk
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
  • ! Negative interest coverage of -1.1x suggests earnings are currently insufficient to support debt service comfortably

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating margin trajectory and path to profitability recovery
  • * Debt reduction progress and debt/equity ratio trend
  • * Interest coverage ratio and debt service sustainability
  • * Revenue stabilization and segment margin performance
  • * Free cash flow sustainability given negative earnings
ChatGPT
  • * Operating margin recovery and interest coverage improvement
  • * Debt reduction progress relative to free cash flow generation

Celanese Corp (CE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$9.5B
Net Income
$-1.2B
EPS (Diluted)
$-10.64
Free Cash Flow
$803.0M
Total Assets
$21.7B
Cash Position
$1.3B

💡 AI Analyst Insight

Celanese Corp presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

CE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin 20.5%
Operating Margin -8.2%
Net Margin -12.2%
ROE -28.8%
ROA -5.4%
FCF Margin 8.4%

CE vs Materials Sector: How Celanese Corp Compares

How Celanese Corp compares to Materials sector averages

Net Margin
CE -12.2%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
CE Sector
ROE
CE -28.8%
vs
Sector Avg 14.0%
CE Sector
Current Ratio
CE 1.5x
vs
Sector Avg 1.6x
CE Sector
Debt/Equity
CE 3.1x
vs
Sector Avg 0.6x
CE Sector

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.

Return on Equity
-28.8%
Sector avg: 14%
Net Profit Margin
-12.2%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
3.12x
Sector avg: 0.6x

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

Current Ratio
1.55x
Quick Ratio
0.94x
Debt/Equity
3.12x
Debt/Assets
0.0%
Interest Coverage
-1.12x
Long-term Debt
$12.6B

CE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

CE 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $8.5B, Net Income $852.0M, EPS $6.84. Year 2022: Revenue $9.7B, Net Income $2.0B, EPS $16.75. Year 2023: Revenue $10.9B, Net Income $1.9B, EPS $16.86. Year 2024: Revenue $10.9B, Net Income $1.9B, EPS $17.34. Year 2025: Revenue $10.9B, Net Income $1.9B, EPS $17.76.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

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

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
8.4%
Free cash flow / Revenue

CE Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Celanese Corp including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
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
Q2 2023 $2.5B $220.0M $2.01

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Celanese Corp Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$1.1B
Cash generated from operations
Capital Expenditures
$343.0M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$13.0M
Returned to shareholders

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
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773261800.xml View →
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773261774.xml View →
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773261759.xml View →
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773261743.xml View →
Mar 11, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773261712.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 (STRONG SELL) and ChatGPT (SELL) with 88% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are CE's key strengths?

Claude: Positive free cash flow of $803M despite operational losses, indicating some ability to generate cash from operations. Solid gross margin of 20.5% suggests core manufacturing operations retain reasonable pricing power. 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: Severe profitability crisis with operating margin of -8.2% and net margin of -12.2%, unable to cover interest expenses. Unsustainable leverage with $12.6B long-term debt against only $4.0B equity and inability to service debt from operations. 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 $9.5B.

Does CE pay dividends?

Celanese Corp pays dividends, with $13.0M 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 $-10.64.

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 April 2026, Celanese Corp has a SELL rating with 88% 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 -28.8% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of -12.2% (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 $1.1B, with capital expenditures of $343.0M. FCF margin is 8.4%.

How does CE compare to other Materials stocks?

Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin -12.2% (avg: 10%), ROE -28.8% (avg: 14%), current ratio 1.55 (avg: 1.6).

Is Celanese Corp carrying too much debt?

CE has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.12x, which is above the Materials sector average of 0.6x. However, the current ratio of 1.55 suggests adequate short-term liquidity.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Mar 22, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI