Filing Flows › Stepan (SCL) › Q1 2026
Stepan (SCL) Q1 2026 earnings results (first quarter 2026)
10-Q filed May 6, 2026
Stepan (SCL) reported revenue of $605M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +2% from a year earlier and +9% from the quarter before. Operating margin was -8.2%, net loss $41.4M (6.8% of revenue).
Stepan, Q1 2026: revenue $605M (+2% year over year), operating margin -8.2%, net loss $41.4M, operating cash flow $16.9M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Q1 2026 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $605M | +9% | +2% |
| Operating profit | −$49.6M | -573% | -275% |
| Net earnings | −$41.4M | -927% | -310% |
| Operating cash flow | $16.9M | -72% | +144% |
What changed
Revenue was $604.5M in Q1 2026, up 2% year over year and up 9% from the previous quarter. Surfactants was the largest line at 75% of revenue. Surfactants added $23.4M year over year (up 5%), 207% of the total change. Polymers declined 11%.
Gross margin was 10.7%, down 2.0 points from Q1 2025. Operating costs exceeded revenue by $49.6M, an operating margin of -8.2%. Operating expenses grew 143% against revenue growth of 2%. The fastest-growing cost line was Other operating costs (+493%). The quarter ended with a net loss of $41.4M, after a profit of $5.0M the previous quarter.
Operating cash flow was $16.9M (up 144% year over year). Non-cash charges added back $32.9M of depreciation and amortization and $1.5M of share-based compensation. Working capital and other items added $23.9M. Capital expenditures of $30.9M exceeded it, leaving free cash flow of −$14.0M.
Questions
What was Stepan's revenue in the first quarter 2026?
Stepan (SCL) reported revenue of $605M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +2% from a year earlier and +9% from the quarter before.
Was Stepan profitable in the first quarter 2026?
Operating loss was $49.6M (-8.2% of revenue) and net loss $41.4M.
Source: Stepan 10-Q on SEC EDGAR.