BASF stock gains as higher outlook meets cash flow test

BASF stock gained as the chemical group combined stronger third-quarter operating performance with a higher 2026 earnings range. BASF said on October 28, 2026, that sales rose 14 percent year over year to 16.4 billion euros, while EBITDA before special items increased 15 percent to 1.6 billion euros. The figures were published in the BASF press release.

BASF stock traded at 54.56 euros on Xetra at 17:27 CET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 2.29 percent above the Xetra close of Tuesday, November 3. The move followed the latest quarterly update but is not presented as a direct reaction to that release.

Core businesses drive earnings improvement

Higher prices and volume growth supported the quarter across BASF's core businesses. Chemicals, Nutrition & Care, Materials and Industrial Solutions posted earnings increases that more than offset weaker contributions from Agricultural Solutions and Surface Technologies.

The headline operating improvement was tempered by special items of minus 437 million euros, mainly linked to restructuring measures at the Ludwigshafen site and a legal settlement in the Care Chemicals division. EBIT fell to a loss of 98 million euros from a profit of 232 million euros a year earlier, while adjusted earnings per share rose to 0.72 euros from 0.52 euros.

Cash flow remains a key test

Operating cash flow declined by 275 million euros year over year to 1.1 billion euros. BASF said inventories absorbed 507 million euros of cash, largely because of higher raw-material prices. Free cash flow nevertheless reached 523 million euros, an increase of 125 million euros from the prior-year quarter.

BASF now expects 2026 EBITDA before special items of 7.4 billion euros to 7.8 billion euros, compared with its previous range of 6.9 billion euros to 7.7 billion euros. The free-cash-flow forecast remains 1.5 billion euros to 2.3 billion euros.

Capital Markets Day sets next milestone

The next scheduled investor event is BASF's Capital Markets Day on November 23 and 24, 2026. Investors are likely to focus on the durability of price gains, inventory normalization and the group's restructuring progress.

BASF operates in the chemicals sector, while the broader German equity market provides the relevant market backdrop through the DAX market overview.

For the real-time quote of BASF stock, investors can follow the latest exchange indication. More news and analyses on BASF stock cover subsequent company and market developments.

BASF SE

• Company: BASF SE
• ISIN: DE000BASF111
• WKN: BASF11
• Xetra ticker: BAS.DE
• Price: 54.56 euros at 17:27 CET on November 4, 2026
• Change: 2.29 percent versus the Xetra close of November 3, 2026
• Xetra close: 53.34 euros on November 3, 2026