We still like these two leaders

Article Excerpt

HUNTSMAN CORP. $21 (New York symbol HUN; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 238.3 million; Market cap: $5.0 billion; Dividend yield: 3.1%; Takeover Target Rating: Lowest; www.huntsman.com) is a leading producer of specialty chemicals. In August 2017, the company sold 47% of its subsidiary Venator Materials (New York symbol VNTR) in an initial public offering. That independent firm makes titanium dioxide, iron oxide and other pigments and additives for food, drinks, paints and cosmetics. Huntsman now plans to sell its remaining 53% of Venator as soon as it can find a buyer. Based on Venator’s current market cap, that stake is worth $317.5 million. The company would probably use the cash proceeds to repurchase its own shares. Meantime, Huntsman’s revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2018, rose 12.7%, to $2.44 billion from $2.17 billion a year earlier. That gain was due to higher selling prices for most of its products. If you disregard unusual items, mainly a writedown of its Venator holding, the company earned…