Stepan Co. Stock Hits Day Low of $52.57 Amid Price Pressure

Stepan Co., a small-cap player in the specialty chemicals industry, has experienced significant volatility today, with the stock hitting an intraday low of USD 52.57. The stock has seen a sharp decline of -20.38% on February 23, 2026, contrasting with the S&P 500's modest gain of 0.69% for the same day. Over the past week, Stepan Co. has dropped -19.84%, while its one-month performance shows a decrease of -4.36%. The company has struggled over the longer term as well, with a one-year performance of -14.69% and a staggering -48.74% decline over the past three years. This consistent underperformance against the S&P 500 highlights ongoing challenges for the company. Financial metrics reveal a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 4.45%, indicating a relatively attractive valuation with an enterprise value to capital employed ratio of 1.15. However, the company's operating profit has declined at an annual rate of -11.47% over the last five years, raising concerns about its long-term growth prospects. With a market capitalization of USD 1,812 million, Stepan Co. continues to navigate a challenging landscape in the specialty chemicals sector.