Westlake Corporation Chairman Sells 40,836 Shares for $3 Million
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 09 2026
0mins
Should l Buy WLK?
Source: Fool
- First Open-Market Sale: Albert Chao, the Executive Chairman of Westlake Corporation, executed his first open-market sale in over three years by selling 40,836 shares for approximately $3 million, indicating a need for liquidity amid challenging market conditions.
- Source of Shares Analysis: The shares sold were derived from the exercise of 81,673 options at a price of $44.42, with roughly half sold immediately to monetize value while the remainder increased Chao's direct ownership, reflecting his confidence in the company's future.
- Market Performance Context: The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $73.57, while the stock has declined 34.25% over the past year, highlighting the challenges faced by the company due to weak industrial demand and pricing pressures, which have affected investor sentiment.
- Financial Overview: In the most recent quarter, Westlake reported net sales of $2.8 billion, and despite a $727 million non-cash goodwill impairment loss, it demonstrated ongoing profitability in housing and infrastructure products, underscoring the company's resilience in a diversified market.
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Analyst Views on WLK
Wall Street analysts forecast WLK stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 98.730
Low
70.00
Averages
82.64
High
92.00
Current: 98.730
Low
70.00
Averages
82.64
High
92.00
About WLK
Westlake Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and products that enhance life every day. With operations in Asia, Europe, and North America, it provides building blocks for solutions from housing and construction to packaging and healthcare to automotive and the consumer. Its segments include Performance and Essential Materials and Housing and Infrastructure Products. The Performance and Essential Materials include Westlake North American Vinyls, Westlake North American Chlor-alkali & Derivatives, Westlake European & Asian Chlorovinyls, Westlake Olefins, Westlake Polyethylene and Westlake Epoxy. The Housing and Infrastructure Products include Westlake Royal Building Products, Westlake Pipe and Fittings, Westlake Global Compounds and Westlake Dimex. Its products are used in diverse consumer and industrial markets, including residential construction, automotive products, water treatment, wind turbines, coatings as well as other durable and non-durable goods.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Dynamics Observation: While specific company names were not mentioned, changes in analyst ratings typically influence investor decisions, potentially leading to price fluctuations in the related stocks.
- Investor Focus: For those considering buying WLK stock, analysts' opinions will serve as a crucial reference, aiding in the assessment of potential investment risks and returns.
- Information Source: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in investment decisions, despite the lack of specific rating details.
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Westlake Executive Chairman Sells 40,836 Shares for $3 Million
- Insider Transaction: On December 22, Albert Chao, Executive Chairman of Westlake Corporation, sold 40,836 shares for approximately $3 million, reducing his direct holdings by 6.11%, indicating a cautious stance towards the market.
- Option Exercise: The shares sold were sourced from the exercise of 81,673 options, demonstrating Chao's strategy to capitalize on market opportunities while maintaining relatively stable direct ownership in the company.
- Financial Performance: Westlake reported third-quarter net sales of $2.8 billion, and despite a $727 million non-cash goodwill impairment, it continues to show profitability in housing and infrastructure products.
- Market Challenges: Westlake's stock has fallen roughly 34% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 17% gain, reflecting ongoing industrial demand weakness and pricing pressures impacting the company's performance materials segment.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Updates: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, including upgrades, downgrades, and initiations, reflecting varying market perspectives on these firms.
- Market Dynamics Observation: While specific company names were not mentioned, changes in analyst ratings typically influence investor decisions, potentially leading to price fluctuations in the related stocks.
- Investor Focus: For those considering buying WLK stock, analysts' opinions will serve as a crucial reference, aiding in the assessment of potential investment risks and returns.
- Information Source: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in investment decisions, despite the lack of specific rating details.
See More
WESTLAKE CORP: MIZUHO Downgrades Rating to Neutral from Outperform
Company Announcement: Westlake Corporation has announced a significant change in its operations.
Leadership Decision: Mizuhō has decided to cut ties with Stone Neutral, indicating a strategic shift in their business approach.
See More
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- Lumentum Earnings Beat: Lumentum Holdings Inc. surged 36.02% this week after reporting second-quarter results that exceeded expectations and providing third-quarter guidance above analyst estimates, thereby boosting investor confidence and significantly driving up the stock price.
- Transportation Stocks Rally: Saia, Inc. jumped 23.07% this week, benefiting from declining oil prices, which led to a strong performance across the transportation sector, indicating optimistic market expectations for transportation demand that could enhance future earnings.
- Westlake Stock Increase: Westlake Corporation saw a 19.27% rise in its stock price this week, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding its business outlook, particularly in the context of declining raw material costs that may improve profitability.
- Market Recovery: The strong performance of these stocks indicates a growing investor confidence in economic recovery, especially amid falling oil prices, which could further drive growth in related industries.
See More
Westlake Royal Showcases 2026 Building Product Innovations
- Product Innovation Showcase: Westlake Royal will unveil its latest building products at the 2026 International Builders' Show, including the new Celect V-Groove siding and TruExterior 5/8" Lap siding, aimed at meeting market demands for modern aesthetics and durability, thereby enhancing the brand's competitiveness in the construction industry.
- Trend Forecast Release: Through the TrendLine™ design trend forecast, Westlake Royal provides data-driven insights that help designers and builders grasp future design trends, further solidifying its authority in the home design trends sector.
- Design Tool Experience: Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the AI-powered Design Canvas™ tool during the show, simplifying exterior design planning and enabling builders and designers to make more confident design decisions, thus improving project planning efficiency.
- New Product Launches: Westlake Royal will introduce several new products, including the Vertälla™ accent panel and the 9-inch wide Board & Batten siding from the Royal and Exterior Portfolio lines, catering to the market's demand for personalized and high-performance building materials, thereby enhancing customer design flexibility.
See More
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- Southern Copper Rating Downgraded: UBS raised the price target for Southern Copper Corp (NYSE:SCCO) from $143 to $148 but downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell, reflecting concerns about its short-term performance.
- Waste Management Price Target Cut: Scotiabank lowered the price target for Waste Management Inc (NYSE:WM) from $254 to $250, with analyst Konark Gupta downgrading the stock from Sector Outperform to Sector Perform, suggesting caution regarding future growth.
- Carter's Price Target Increased: Citigroup raised the price target for Carter’s Inc (NYSE:CRI) from $34 to $50 and upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy, indicating a positive outlook on its market performance.
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- Insider Transaction: On December 22, Albert Chao, Executive Chairman of Westlake Corporation, sold 40,836 shares for approximately $3 million, reducing his direct holdings by 6.11%, indicating a cautious stance towards the market.
- Option Exercise: The shares sold were sourced from the exercise of 81,673 options, demonstrating Chao's strategy to capitalize on market opportunities while maintaining relatively stable direct ownership in the company.
- Financial Performance: Westlake reported third-quarter net sales of $2.8 billion, and despite a $727 million non-cash goodwill impairment, it continues to show profitability in housing and infrastructure products.
- Market Challenges: Westlake's stock has fallen roughly 34% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 17% gain, reflecting ongoing industrial demand weakness and pricing pressures impacting the company's performance materials segment.
See More
