(new: prices, more details and background)
FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The recovery of the chemicals sector received a significant boost on Tuesday thanks to Goldman Sachs. Analyst Georgina Fraser took a step out of the defensive and adopted a pro-cyclical stance. While sentiment remains poor, there are initial signs of economic revival and an improving industry environment, Fraser noted. The sector has long struggled with weak economic conditions, increasing competition from China, and, in Germany, persistently high energy prices.
The sector index Stoxx Europe 600 Chemicals reached its highest level since late summer 2025 on Tuesday. From its three-year low in December, the index has rebounded by 12 percent. The stock market is always forward-looking, so investors are already anticipating a way out of the industry's slump.
In her analysis, Fraser changed her rating in a total of seven cases, mostly in a positive direction. For Evonik, she completely reversed her view, upgrading the stock from "sell" to "buy." The shares subsequently climbed 5.8 percent to €15.86, moving back above their exponential 200-day line, a long-term trend indicator. In January, the shares had fallen to a record low of €12.49.
Shares of Symrise, meanwhile, rose more than 6 percent at the top of the DAX after a buy recommendation. This continues their bottoming process following a plunge to a multi-year low of around €65 in December. The shares of Swiss competitor Givaudan in the flavors and fragrances segment shook off initial losses following a sell recommendation from Fraser by late morning.
Lanxess shares stood out in the MDAX with an increase of almost 10 percent. Here, Fraser more than doubled her price target to €23 and dropped her sell rating, now rating the shares as "neutral." The disproportionately large target increase also results from her higher earnings expectations and their impact on valuation. BASF shares gained more than four percent./ag/mis/jha/
-----------------------
dpa-AFX Broker - the trader news from dpa-AFX
-----------------------
