Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now

Ferro Corporation was incorporated in Ohio in 1919 as an enameling company. The company is a producer of specialty materials and chemicals that are sold to a range of manufacturers who make products for many end-use markets. Ferro Corp has a market cap of $592.3 million; its shares were traded at around $6.85 with and P/S ratio of 0.30.

President and CEO of Ferro Corp (FOE) Peter T. Thomas bought 20,000 shares on Aug. 7, 2013 at an average price of $6.8. The total transaction amount was $136,000.

Peter Thomas joined Ferro Corporation in 2000 and was promoted to president and CEO in April 2003. Prior to working at Witco Corporation, GAF Corporation and Noxell Corporation.

Oleochemical-Derivatives business unit for Witco Corporation. Inland Leidy Chemical Distribution, business manager for GAF Corporation, and prior to that with Noxell Corporation.

[ Enlarge Image ]

GuruFocus Guru Jean-Marie Eveillard initiated his position in FOE and bought 26,566 shares; Mario Gabelli kept his position in the company and owns 8,569,834. As of March 31, 2013, Arnold Schneider and Joel Greenblatt both reduced their positions. Schneider owns 1,675,914 shares and Greenblatt owns 248,960 shares.

Top Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2015: Lanxess AG (LXS)

Lanxess AG is a Germany-based chemical holding company. Its activities are divided into three main segments. The Performance Polymers segment encompasses the activities of the Lanxess Group in the production of rubber and plastics, and includes Butyl Rubbers, Performance Butadiene Rubbers, Technical Rubber Products and Semi-Crystalline Products business units. The Advanced Intermediates segment is engaged in the development, production and marketing of industrial and fine chemicals and includes Basic Chemicals and Saltigo business units. The Performance Chemicals segment combines the Group's application-oriented activities in the field of process and functional chemicals, and includes Material Protection Products, Inorganic Pigments, Functional Chemicals, Leather, Rhein Chemie, Rubber Chemicals and Ion Exchange Resins business units. The Company operates worldwide through its subsidiaries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  ThyssenKrupp AG (TKA), Germany�� largest steelmaker, rose to a five-week high. YOC AG (YOC) surged the most in more than three months after the mobile-phone advertising company said it sold 1.3 million euros ($1.7 million) of shares to increase capital. Lanxess AG (LXS), the chemical maker that joined the DAX in September, retreated 3.4 percent.

Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now: Koninklijke DSM NV (RDSMY.PK)

Koninklijke DSM N.V. (DSM), incorporated on December 28, 1966, is engaged in creating products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. DSM�� products and services are used in a range of markets and applications. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. The activities of DSM are grouped into five clusters: Nutrition, Pharma, Performance Materials, Polymer Intermediates, and Base Chemicals and Materials. In May 2010, Orascom Construction Industries announced that the acquisition of the Company�� agro and melamine businesses has been finalized. DSM completed the disposal of DSM Energie Holding B.V. (DSM Energy) to TAQA Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC on September 30, 2009. In September 2010, the Company acquired Microbia, Inc. from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In December 2010, the Company completed the sale of DSM Special Products B.V. to Emerald Performance Materials. In February 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Martek Biosciences Corporation. In May 2011, the Company sold DSM Elastomers to Lanxess AG. In June 2012, the Company acquired Kensey Nash Corporation (Kensey Nash).

Nutrition

The Nutrition cluster comprises DSM Nutritional Products and DSM Food Specialties. The nutrition and food ingredients businesses serve the food, feed, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. DSM holds positions in the markets for ingredients for human and animal nutrition and health. DSM Nutritional Products is the supplier of vitamins, carotenoids, nutritional ingredients, ultra-violet (UV) filters and premixes for human and animal nutrition and health. DSM Nutritional Products is organized around two entities: Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) and Human Nutrition and Health (HNH). DSM Food Specialties is a global manufacturer of food enzymes, cultures, yeast extracts and other specialty ingredients for the food and b! everage industries.

DSM Food Specialties comprises two business units and an Ingredients Development Unit. Enzymes & Dairy Ingredients supplies a range of food enzymes for applications such as dairy, baking, fruit processing, brewing and wine, starter cultures for cheese and yogurt, preservation solutions for cheese and meat, and tests for the detection of residues of antibiotics in milk. Savoury Ingredients is a major supplier of ingredients for flavorings and flavor enhancers (such as yeast extracts) used in products, such as soups, instant meals, sauces and savory snacks.

Pharma

The Pharma cluster comprises the business groups DSM Pharmaceutical Products (DPP) and DSM Anti-Infectives. DSM is an independent supplier to the pharmaceutical industry. DSM Pharmaceutical Products is a provider of custom contract manufacturing and development services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.

DSM Pharmaceutical Products consists of three business units: DSM Pharma Chemicals (custom chemical manufacturing services for complex registered intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including DSM Exclusive Synthesis (custom manufacturing services for the crop protection industry), DSM Biologics (biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology and services) and DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (finished-dose-form manufacturing services). DSM BioSolutions focuses on custom manufacturing services based on microbial fermentation. DSM Anti-Infectives holds global leadership positions in penicillin G, penicillin intermediates (6-APA and 7-ADCA), active pharmaceutical ingredients such as semi-synthetic penicillins and semi-synthetic cefalosporins (beta-lactams), and other active ingredients, such as nystatin.

Performance Materials

The Performance Materials cluster comprises the business groups DSM Engineering Plastics, DSM Dyneema and DSM Resins. The products are used in a variety of end-use markets: the au! tomotive ! industry, the aviation industry, the electrical and electronics industry, the sports and leisure industries, the paint and coatings industry and the construction industry.

DSM Engineering Plastics is a global player in polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates and adhesive resins. These materials are used in components for the electrical and electronics, automotive, engineering and packaging industries. DSM produces Dyneema fiber and UD (unidirectional textile sheets) in Heerlen (Netherlands) and in Greenville (North Carolina, United States) through its gel-spinning process. DSM Resins consists of four business units: DSM NeoResins+, DSM Powder Coating Resins, DSM Desotech and DSM Composite Resins.

Polymer Intermediates

The Polymer Intermediates cluster consists of DSM Fiber Intermediates. DSM Fibre Intermediates produces caprolactam and acrylonitrile, which are raw materials for synthetic fibers and engineering plastics. Other products include ammonium sulfate (a fertilizer), diaminobutane, sodium cyanide and cyclohexanone. DSM�� caprolactam production capacity is more than 600,000 tons per annum.

Base Chemicals and Materials

The Base Chemicals and Materials cluster consists of DSM Agro, DSM Melamine, DSM Elastomers and a number of activities that have been carved out from other clusters. DSM Agro produces fertilizers and is active in Northwestern Europe. DSM Melamine is a producer of melamine, used in wood-based panels and laminates for furniture and flooring. DSM Elastomers manufactures synthetic rubbers (EPDM) for use in cars and other transportation vehicles, white goods, various industrial products and construction materials and as motor-oil additives.

DSM Agro is a producer of ammonia and high-nitrogen fertilizers for grasslands and agricultural crops; products and services for responsible fertilization. DSM Agro sells about 2.4 million tons of fertilizers per year. The Base Chemicals and Materials cluster also includes! several ! activities that have been carved out from other clusters. These include Citric Acid, DSM Special Products and the Maleic Anhydride and derivatives business.

Other activities

Other activities comprise various activities and businesses that do not belong to any of the five reporting clusters. It consists of both operating and service activities and also includes a number of costs that cannot be logically allocated to the clusters. Other activities includes the DSM Innovation Center, DSM Venturing and a number of other activities, such as Sitech Services, EdeA, DSM Insurances and part of the costs of corporate activities. Sitech Services provides technological consultancy, expertise in energy and auxiliary materials, the supply of utilities and human resources.

EdeA VoF owns, operates and maintains most of the production and distribution facilities for utilities (for example steam, power and water) at the Chemelot site in Sittard-Geleen (Netherlands). EdeA VoF is a joint venture with Essent, an energy production and distribution company. DSM�� stake is 50%. DSM retains a limited part of its Property Damage and Business Interruption and Product Liability risks via a captive insurance company. DSM has a share in a limited number of associates.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  BioAmber expects its advanced bio-based specialty chemicals to compete with petrochemical equivalents that are proven in the market and manufactured by established companies, such as Gadiv Petrochemical Industries, Kawasaki Kasei, DSM (RDSMY.PK) and numerous small Chinese producers including Anqing Hexing Chemical, and Anhui Sunsing Chemicals. In addition, BioAmber's products will compete against other companies in the bio-based specialty chemical industry, both early stage companies, such as Genomatica (for bio-based 1,4 BDO) and Myriant Corporation (for bio-succinic acid), and established companies, such as a collaborative venture between DSM and Roquette Frères S.A. and a collaborative venture between BASF (BASFY.PK) and Purac (both for bio-succinic acid).

Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now: BioAmber Inc (BIOA)

BioAmber Inc. (BioAmber), incorporated on October 15, 2008, is a chemical company. The Company manufactures its bio-succinic acid in a facility using a commercial scale 350,000 liter fermenter in Pomacle, France. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company produced 487,000 pounds, or 221 metric tons, of bio-succinic acid at this facility. Succinic acid is used to manufacture a range of products used every day, including plastics, food additives and personal care products, and can also be used as a building block for a range of derivative chemicals. The Company produces and sells bio-succinic acid using its process for petroleum-derived succinic acid. It also has additional bio-based products under development with partners including bio-succinic acid derivatives, such as BDO, and applications of bio-succinic acid, such as plasticizers, polyurethanes and de-icing solutions. During 2011, the Company created a wholly owned subsidiary, BioAmber International, S.a.r.l.

The Company develops bio-succinic acid for a range of markets, such as personal care products and food additives, plasticizers, polyurethanes, resins and coatings. The applications for bio-succinic acid include plasticizers, polyurethanes, personal care products, de-icing solutions, resins and coatings, food additives, lubricants and other products. Plasticizers are organic esters that are primarily used to make flexible polyvinyl chloride. Adipic acid is used in polyester polyols, which are used to make polyurethanes. Polyurethanes are used in, among other things, soles for footwear, molded foams for automotive applications, such as car seats and arm rests, and non-foam applications such as coatings, adhesives and sealants. Other applications of bio-succinic acid that are developed and tested by potential customers, which include anti-freeze solutions, solvents, water treatment chemicals and effervescence agents such laundry tablets and bath salts.

The Company competes with Gadiv Petrochemical Industries ! Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical, DSM, Anqing Hexing Chemical Co Ltd, Anhui Sunsing Chemicals Co., Ltd., Genomatica, Inc., Myriant Corporation and Roquette Freres S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  He believes several companies have set the bar precipitously low to start the year despite targeted developments expected to occur before the start of 2014. Watch the following video for his thoughts on potential positive surprises awaiting investors in�Amyris� (NASDAQ: AMRS  ) ,�BioAmber� (NYSE: BIOA  ) ,�Codexis� (NASDAQ: CDXS  ) , and�Solazyme� (NASDAQ: SZYM  ) .

Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now: Basf SE (BASFY.PK)

BASF SE is a chemical company. The Company operates in six segments: Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products, Functional Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. Chemicals segment offers products in the chemical, electronic, construction, textile, automotive, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Plastics segment offers a range of products, system solutions and services. Performance Products help its customers to improve their products and processes. Functional Solutions segment bundles system solutions and products for customers and industries. The Company�� Agricultural Solutions segment includes crop protection products, which guard against fungal diseases, insects and weeds. Its Oil & gas segment is a producer of oil and gas. On April 9, 2009, the Company acquired Ciba Holding AG. In April 2010, Intertek Group plc acquired the Regulatory and Safety Testing businesses of Ciba Expert Services (Ciba ES) from the Company. In December 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of Cognis Holding GmbH from Cognis Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l.

Chemicals

The Company�� Chemicals segment portfolio ranges from basic chemicals, glues and electronic chemicals for the semiconductor and flat panel display industry, to solvents and plasticizers, as well as starting materials for detergents, plastics, textile fibers, paints, coatings and pharmaceuticals. This segment is organized into three divisions: Inorganics, Petrochemicals and Intermediates. The important basic products of the Inorganics division are ammonia, methanol, sodium hydroxide, chlorine, as well as sulfuric and nitric acid. The Petrochemicals division produces products, such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene and benzene, which are produced in steam crackers from naphtha or natural gas. In further processing stages, it produces alcohols, solvents and plasticizers for the chemicals and plastics industries. BASF SE�� Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a range of intermediates of all produc! ers worldwide. The product lines include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. They serve as starting materials for products, such as coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, crop protection products, as well as detergents and cleaners.

Plastics

BASF�� Plastics segment is organized into two divisions: Performance Polymers and Polyurethanes. The Performance Polymers division is a supplier of engineering plastics, polyamides and polyamide intermediates, foams and specialty plastics. The Company offers its customers a portfolio of engineering plastics based on polyamide 6 and polyamide 6,6. This is complemented by products Ultradur, Ultraform and Ultrason. For the packaging, textile and food industries, it offers Ultramid, a base product for the manufacturing of fibers and foils. BASF SE�� product range also includes Ecoflex and Ecovio, biodegradable specialty plastics for the packaging industry. Styropor and its refinement Neopor are styrene-based precursors for foams used in insulating material for construction and packaging. The Polyurethanes division is a supplier of basic products, systems and specialties. The Company offers polyurethane products for numerous customer applications. Under brand names, such as Elastoflex and Elastopor, polyurethanes are used, as rigid or flexible foams in construction for furniture and household appliances.

Performance Products

The Performance Products segment consists of the Acrylics & Dispersions, Care Chemicals and Performance Chemicals divisions. Acrylics & Dispersions produces acrylic acid, as well as its derivatives superabsorbents and polymer dispersions. Superabsorbents are used particularly in diapers. Polymer dispersions are used in the production of glues, coatings, nonwoven materials and construction chemicals. The Company�� product portfolio for the paper industry consists of binders, process chemicals and kaolin pigments. Its Care Chemicals portfolio consists of products f! or cleani! ng, care, cosmetics and hygiene. Performance Chemicals pools specialties for various customer industries. The product portfolio consists of antioxidants, pigments, light stabilizers and specialty additives. The division also makes chemicals for the production and finishing of leather and textiles.

Functional Solutions

The Functional Solutions segment consists of the Catalysts, Construction Chemicals and Coatings divisions. The Catalysts division develops catalysts and adsorbents. It produces catalysts that transform pollutants in the exhaust flows of vehicles into harmless chemical and plastics. The Construction Chemicals division is engaged in development of concrete admixtures, such as concrete plasticizers, deferrers and curing agents. It also produces and markets construction systems. The Coatings division is a provider of coatings solutions for automotive and industrial applications. Its brands Glasurit and R-M are for the car refinish business.

Agricultural Solutions

The Agricultural Solutions segment consists of the Crop Protection division. The Company develops and produces active ingredients and formulations for the improvement of crop health and yields, and markets them worldwide. Its portfolio includes fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and seed treatments. Its product Headline contains the active ingredient F500, which is not only used for corn and soybean, but also for numerous other crops.

Oil & Gas

BASF�� oil and gas activities are bundled in the Wintershall Group. Wintershall and its subsidiaries operate in the business sectors exploration and production, and natural gas trading. In the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, the Company focuses on oil and gas regions in Europe, North Africa and South America, as well as Russia and the Caspian Sea region. The Mittelplate oil field in the North Sea tidal flats is the cornerstone of the Company�� oil production in Germany. Wintershall and RWE-D! EA each h! old a 50% interest in this field. During the year ended December 31, 2009, it acquired 25% interest in Cuxhaven concession. It operates 26 offshore platforms in Mittelplate region, of which 19 are actually controlled. In Libya, Wintershall operates eight onshore oil fields in the concessions 96 and 97 and exploits the associated gas released during crude oil production in a gas utilization plant for the local demand. In Mauritania, it operates two onshore exploration blocks. In 2008, Wintershall acquired stakes of 50% each in two exploration areas in the Canadon Asfalto Basin. It supplies Germany and several other European countries. The gas pipeline network operated by WINGAS TRANSPORT connects the markets in Western Europe with a natural gas infrastructure that runs through Eastern Europe and the Russian Federation all the way to the gas fields in Siberia. Other components portfolio include natural gas storage facility in Western Europe, in Rehdn, Germany, and the natural gas storage facility in Haidach, Austria.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  BioAmber expects its advanced bio-based specialty chemicals to compete with petrochemical equivalents that are proven in the market and manufactured by established companies, such as Gadiv Petrochemical Industries, Kawasaki Kasei, DSM (RDSMY.PK) and numerous small Chinese producers including Anqing Hexing Chemical, and Anhui Sunsing Chemicals. In addition, BioAmber's products will compete against other companies in the bio-based specialty chemical industry, both early stage companies, such as Genomatica (for bio-based 1,4 BDO) and Myriant Corporation (for bio-succinic acid), and established companies, such as a collaborative venture between DSM and Roquette Frères S.A. and a collaborative venture between BASF (BASFY.PK) and Purac (both for bio-succinic acid).

Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now: Platform Specialty Products Corp (PAH)

Platform Specialty Products Corporation is a producer of technology specialty chemical products and provider of technical services. The Company�� business involves the manufacture of a range of specialty chemicals, which the Company creates by blending raw materials, and the incorporation of these chemicals into multi-step technological processes. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  13Fs were released after the close Thursday and resulted in some interesting trading activity Friday. Platform Specialty Products (NYSE: PAH), for example, rose almost six percent Ackman announced a large stake in the company. Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) rose more than two percent after Dan Loeb and Warren Buffett added positions in the company and David Tepper sold his stake.

Best Chemical Companies To Watch In Right Now: Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP (RNF)

Rentech Nitrogen Partners, L.P. is a provider of clean energy solutions and nitrogen fertilizer, to own, operate and grow its nitrogen fertilizer business. The Company primarily produces anhydrous ammonia, or ammonia, and urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN), at the Company�� facility, using natural gas as its primary feedstock. In November 2012, the Company acquired Agrifos LLC.

The Company�� facility is located in the center of the Mid Corn Belt. The Mid Corn Belt includes the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. The Company considers its market to be consisted of the States of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sally Jones] urrent share price is $17.34, or 64.7% off the 52-week high of $49.18.

  Down 54% over 12 months, RNF has a market cap of $673.66 million, and trades with a P/B of 13.30. The dividend yield is 13.67%.

  Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP is a pure-play nitrogen fertilizer company structured as a publicly traded master limited partnership. The company manufactures and sells nitrogen fertilizer products including ammonia, UAN solution and ammonium sulfate.

  Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, there is one guru stakeholder and one recent insider sell.

  As of Sept. 30, 2013, the sole guru owner Jim Simons reduced his position by 14.04%, selling 49,490 shares at an average price of $28.06 for a loss of 38.2%.

  Over four losing quarters, he has averaged a loss of 52% on 352,600 shares at an average price of $36.30 per share. Selling, he has averaged a loss of 38% on 49,490 shares at an average price of $28.06 per share.

  His current shares of 303,110 represent 0.78% of shares outstanding.

  Track share pricing, revenue and net income:

  Highlight: Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (TRQ)

  The current share price is $3.25, or 66.2% off the 52-week high of $9.62.

  Down 57% over 12 months, TRQ has a market cap of $3.27 billion, and trades with a P/B of 0.60. The company does not pay a dividend.

  Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. is an international mining company focused on copper, gold and coal mines in the Asia Pacific region. The company has other projects containing molybdenum, rhenium, copper, gold, zinc, silver and uranium.

  Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, there are six guru stakeholders and one recent insider trade.

  The top guru owner is RS Investment Management who increased its position by 29.59% in the third quarter of 2013, buying 13,234,642 shares at an average price of $5.12 for a loss of 36.5%.

  Over six losing quarters, the firm has averaged a loss of 55% on 57,968,897 shares at an average price

• [By Tim Gallagher]

  Mosaic (MOS), Agrium (AGU), Intrepid Potash (IPI) and CF Industries (CF) have been moving and trading hand-in-hand, with AGU, BHP and Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP (RNF) trading the best, losing the least and rebounding the most since July 30th. IPI has sold off a lot more in the post-news period, as would be expected from a smaller, less established company with mine projects still in development. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) announced plans to proceed with its Jansen Mine Project in Saskatchewan, Canada, potentially tapping the largest and longest-lasting supply in the world known at this time. Scotiabank (BNS) recently commented on Jansen, stating that the added supply "could add the equivalent of 18%-20% of the potash market over recent years." Nearly all of the companies mentioned have had a pretty predictable mix of upgrades and downgrades. That's what makes a market.