NewMarket (NYSE:NEU) reported higher second-quarter earnings and sales, with Chief Financial Officer Tim Fitzgerald citing Petroleum Additives surcharges related to supply-chain disruptions in the Middle East and continued growth in the company’s Specialty Materials business.
Net income for the second quarter of 2026 totaled $134 million, or $14.54 per share, compared with $111 million, or $11.84 per share, in the prior-year quarter. For the first six months of 2026, net income rose to $252 million, or $27.14 per share, from $237 million, or $25.11 per share, a year earlier.
Petroleum Additives Profit Improves
Fitzgerald said the increase in Petroleum Additives operating profit was primarily driven by surcharges implemented in response to higher costs recorded in the company’s profit-and-loss statement stemming from supply-chain disruptions in the Middle East.
For the first half of 2026, Petroleum Additives sales were approximately $1.3 billion, essentially unchanged from the same period in 2025. Segment operating profit was $284 million, compared with $282 million in the prior-year period.
“We are very pleased with the performance of our Petroleum Additives business during the first half of 2026 and the work done by our team to operate within a rapidly changing environment due to the conflict in the Middle East,” Fitzgerald said.
He added that the company remains focused on improving efficiency, managing operating costs, and investing in technology and its supply network to meet customer needs.
Specialty Materials Sales Rise Following Calca Acquisition
Specialty Materials sales reached $67 million in the second quarter, up from $42 million a year earlier, while operating profit increased to $22 million from $11 million.
Fitzgerald noted that the 2025 comparison excludes results from Calca, which NewMarket acquired on Oct. 1, 2025. He also said the company expects substantial variation in quarterly results for the Specialty Materials segment because of the nature of the business.
For the first half of 2026, Specialty Materials sales were $125 million, compared with $96 million in the year-earlier period. Operating profit for the segment was $35 million, essentially flat with the first half of 2025.
The company said it was particularly pleased with Specialty Materials’ performance and is expanding production capacity for ammonium perchlorate and high-purity hydrazine. The investments are intended to support domestic production of critical aerospace and defense chemicals, with additional capacity expected to come online toward the end of 2026.
Cash Returns and Balance Sheet
NewMarket said it generated solid cash flow during the first half of the year, enabling it to return $182 million to shareholders. That amount included $56 million in dividends and $126 million in share repurchases.
Its net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 1.0 times as of June 30, 2026.
Looking to the second half, Fitzgerald said NewMarket intends to make decisions aimed at supporting long-term value for customers and shareholders. He said the company continues to emphasize a long-term perspective, safety, customer-focused solutions, technology-driven products, and a supply chain designed to serve customers’ needs.
About NewMarket (NYSE:NEU)
NewMarket Corporation is a specialty chemicals and lubricants company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Through its Valvoline business, the company markets a broad portfolio of automotive aftermarket products, including engine oils, transmission fluids, greases and vehicle care solutions. Valvoline products are distributed through retail and commercial channels as well as a network of quick-lube service centers that provide oil changes, preventive maintenance and related services.
In its chemical additives segment, NewMarket develops, manufactures and sells performance additives for fuels, lubricants and industrial fluids.
