Huntsman merger with Olin reshapes chemicals landscape, shares under pressure

By Julia Schmitt, Sector & Peer Group desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-29, 21:51.

Huntsman Corporation (US4470111075) has agreed an all-stock merger with Olin Corporation that would form a North American chemicals group valued at more than 12 billion dollars, according to recent analyst commentary. The company, whose shares trade on the NYSE under the ticker HUN, is simultaneously digesting a steep recent price pullback and index changes that keep the stock in focus for global investors.

Merger with Olin to create OlinHuntsman

The announced merger of equals between Huntsman and Olin is structured as an all-stock deal and is expected to create a combined entity named OlinHuntsman, with a pro forma equity value cited at over 12 billion dollars in recent coverage. The deal framework, as described by analysts, anticipates more than 400 million dollars in cost synergies and integration benefits, underlining the scale of planned operational efficiencies across overlapping portfolios in chlor-alkali, epoxy resins, and polyurethane-related products.

Reports state that Olin's current chief executive Ken Lane is slated to lead the merged group, signaling a leadership continuity on the Olin side and giving investors an early indication of governance for the enlarged chemicals platform. The combined operation is expected to focus on diverse end-markets, ranging from automotive and construction to packaging and consumer applications, where both companies already supply specialty materials such as polyurethanes, performance products, and adhesives. In sector comparisons, Huntsman is often measured against Dow Inc. and other diversified chemicals peers in terms of profitability and capital allocation.

Analyst reactions and index reshuffle

Following the merger announcement, at least one major broker has adjusted its stance on Huntsman shares. A recent note described Mizuho upgrading Huntsman from Underperform to Neutral and lifting its price target from 10 to 14 dollars per share, arguing that Huntsman should now be viewed in line with Olin, on which the house already held a Neutral rating. This move underscores how the merger ties Huntsman's equity profile more closely to Olin's, and it adds an international research anchor to current debates around valuation.

Parallel to the transaction news, Huntsman has recently been removed from the Russell 1000 Value index family, according to sector data summaries that track diversified chemicals names. Such index changes can affect passive flows and might contribute to share-price volatility around rebalancing dates, as benchmark-tracking funds adjust their positions. One market commentary piece cited a last close for Huntsman at around 11.41 dollars, with a consensus target near the mid-teens, capturing the tension between near-term share weakness and analysts' medium-term expectations.

Recent share price pullback and peer comparison

Independent equity analysis highlights that Huntsman shares have experienced a marked pullback over the past month and quarter even as the year-to-date performance remains positive. In a recent review, Huntsman was reported at a latest share price near 11.41 dollars, with a roughly 25 to 26 percent decline over the last 30 days and around 14 percent over 90 days, contrasting with a double-digit gain year to date and a mid-teens total shareholder return over twelve months.

One comparative study placed Huntsman alongside Dow Inc., noting that Dow's year-to-date gain was materially stronger than Huntsman's, while also emphasizing that Huntsman occupies a more focused, specialty-chemicals niche with a market capitalization cited around 2.4 billion dollars. The same discussion pointed out that Huntsman had seen mixed performance in recent weeks, with shares down about low double digits after a prior earnings miss on earnings per share, even though sales surpassed forecasts amid pricing pressure in key product lines.

Business profile and operations footprint

Company reference materials describe Huntsman Corporation as an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving both industrial and consumer customers. The group segments its activities into polyurethanes, performance products, and advanced materials and adhesives, supplying large clients such as automotive manufacturers and household-goods companies. In 2023, Huntsman generated approximately 6 billion dollars in revenue, highlighting its scale in the specialty chemicals space.

Huntsman maintains its global headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, and operates more than 60 manufacturing, research, and operations facilities across over 25 countries. The company employs around 7,000 people worldwide, giving it a broad geographic footprint that spans North America, Europe, and Asia. Within the broader chemicals sector, Huntsman competes with diversified peers like Dow and specialty players that focus on specific chemistries or end-markets, and its positioning influences how investors weigh cyclicality, input-cost exposure, and margin resilience.

Spray foam insulation as a flagship product

Within Huntsman's portfolio, spray polyurethane foam insulation stands out as a representative product line that captures the group's focus on energy-efficient materials. Through its Huntsman Building Solutions unit, the company develops spray foam systems designed to deliver thermal performance, air sealing, and durability for residential and commercial buildings. These formulations aim to balance insulation performance with fire safety and sustainability considerations.

Technical discussions around Huntsman's spray foam work describe how the business uses data-driven approaches to accelerate formulation development, shortening the time needed for chemists to design new insulation systems compared with traditional trial-and-error methods. The products are marketed to contractors and building owners seeking to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort, and they compete with other insulation technologies such as fiberglass batts and rigid foam boards. For retail customers and small contractors, related sealants, foams, and adhesives are often available via general building-material channels.

Where the Huntsman stock trades today

As of the latest available data in late June 2026, Huntsman shares trade on the NYSE under the ticker HUN at a price around the low-teens in US dollars, with recent commentary citing a level near 11.41 dollars. At that price point, year-to-date performance remains positive, but the stock has given back a sizeable portion of recent gains amid the merger discussion, index changes, and broader chemicals-sector volatility.

This article was produced with AI assistance and editorially reviewed. Price and company figures without guarantee; prices and dates may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions carry risks up to and including total loss.