LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) reported Q3 EPS of $2.85, $0.09 better than the analyst estimate of $2.76. Revenue for the quarter came in at $8.72 billion versus the consensus estimate of $9.07 billion.

"LyondellBasell demonstrated resilient performance by achieving a third consecutive increase in quarterly earnings per share with its leading portfolio, advantaged global positions, and disciplined capital allocation. Strong margins for our North American ethylene and Oxyfuels & Related Products businesses were supported by abundant supplies of low-cost, shale-based natural gas liquid feedstocks. Our global Olefins & Polyolefins businesses benefited from typical seasonal strength in demand for consumer driven non-durable products with polyolefin sales volume increasing by 5% relative to the second quarter. Market headwinds from softer demand and compressing margins for styrene impacted the profitability for our Intermediates & Derivatives segment. Our refinery ran reliably at 99% of nameplate capacity and margins increased with improved availability of favorably-priced heavy sour crude oils in the Houston market," said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell CEO.

"We continued to execute our disciplined capital allocation strategy during the third quarter. In September, we moved forward on our value-driven approach to growth with a long-term propylene supply contract and discussions to build a joint venture chemical complex in northeast China. During July, we completed a tender offer for 35.1 million shares that demonstrated our views on the value of our company and the outlook for our businesses. Over the past few weeks, we successfully refinanced over $2 billion of debt in a favorable interest rate environment," Patel said.

OUTLOOK

"Our businesses continue to benefit from low-cost natural gas liquid feedstocks with favorable prices persisting into October. We expect to see typical seasonal softening of demand in the final months of the year. At the same time, profitability at our Houston refinery should begin to improve during the fourth quarter with increasing demand for low-sulfur marine fuels ahead of the IMO 2020 regulation deadline," Patel said.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) click here.