Celanese Corp. (NYSE: CE) reported Q4 EPS of $1.98, $0.11 better than the analyst estimate of $1.87. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.59 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.5 billion.

Outlook

"We set out in 2017 to further strengthen our business models in both AEM and the Acetyl Chain while addressing the headwinds in Consumer Specialties. In AEM, we made progress on integrating two high value-add acquisitions. Organic growth was further enhanced by extending the opportunity pipeline to the newly integrated polymers, creating current and future earnings uplift. In the Acetyl Chain, the business planned efficiently to address the scheduled turnaround in Clear Lake and also responded swiftly to address industry disruptions by leveraging its global supply chain. As a result, in 2017 we reported the second highest operating profit of $901 million and record adjusted EBIT of $1.4 billion. In 2018, we expect the AEM pipeline model to evolve to a higher level of project volume and the Acetyl Chain to carry forward the momentum from its improved model. Tow earnings should be relatively flat. An early read on the recent tax reform indicates a 2 percent lower adjusted tax rate of 14 percent for Celanese in 2018. Taking all these drivers into consideration, current estimations for 2018 put growth of adjusted earnings per share in the 10-14 percent range, with more of the growth in the first half of the year," said Mark Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer.

Regarding a forward view on a US GAAP basis, we are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted earnings per share growth to US GAAP diluted earnings per share without unreasonable efforts because a forecast of Certain Items, such as mark-to-market pension gains/losses, is not practical. The Company's earnings presentation and prepared remarks related to the fourth quarter and full year results will be posted on its website at www.celanese.com under Investor Relations/Events and Presentations after market close on January 25, 2018. Information about Non-US GAAP measures is included in a Non-US GAAP Financial Measures and Supplemental Information document posted on our website and available at the link below. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Celanese Corp. (CE) click here.