The chemicals industry is rebounding from pandemic lows, driven primarily by the demand for plastics and methanol. The industry is exhibiting great prospects for the coming year. Thus, we think chemical stocks Linde (NYSE:LIN) and Westlake (WLK) might be solid bets now. However, chemical companies are facing several supply-chain issues and other operational disruptions, which we believe make fundamentally weak stocks Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD) and Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) best avoided now. Read on.Despite concerns about carbon emissions, the centrality of chemicals is still a fact. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the industry is now rebounding from pandemic lows driven by solid demand for substances like plastics and methanol.
The United States chemical industry is expected to experience a comeback in 2022, driven by the strong economic recovery and the easing of the pandemic restrictions. U.S. chemical volumes are expected to grow 3% in 2022, with chemical shipping increasing 8% in 2021 and 2022. Given this backdrop, we think fundamentally sound chemical stocks Linde plc (LIN) and Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE:WLK) could be solid bets now.
However, supply chain worries and inflationary effects are taking a heavy toll on chemical firms. So, we think fundamentally bleak stocks Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB) are better avoided now.