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BASF has held talks on merging with or acquiring Evonik this year. 2026-09-23 09:13:08 Source:ChemNet 中文 According to reports from Mergermarket citing multiple sources, German chemical giant BASF launched preliminary talks in 2026 regarding the possibility of a merger with peer Evonik. However, several sources also pointed out that due to constraints such as capital and business spin-off processes, the likelihood of this deal being finalized in the short term is low. The reports show that a total of five insiders disclosed the progress of the relevant talks to the media. It has been confirmed that the two companies have initiated relevant discussions, and any subsequent substantive actions will only be advanced at the senior management level of the enterprises. Some insiders stated that this transaction has the potential to reshape the industry landscape, and relevant preliminary preparations are still underway, making the deal theoretically possible; however, there are also views that although the talks have started, the overall situation remains unclear. Multiple sources mentioned that the idea of merging BASF and Evonik is not new. This topic was brought up at board meetings years ago, and relevant discussions have even lasted for nearly 20 years, remaining stuck at the conceptual stage for a long time. Several insiders admitted that the deal, which is externally called a "merger", is essentially BASF acquiring Evonik. In terms of scale, BASF currently has a market capitalization of approximately 46 billion euros, while Evonik's market capitalization is around 8.1 billion euros. If the acquisition is completed through a share swap, BASF will most likely wait for its share price to rise further before considering implementation. As of now, BASF's share price has risen by just over 15% this year, still about 25% below its high point in early 2022. Capital pressure and business spin-off plans have become the core factors restricting the short-term advancement of this transaction. Insiders said that BASF is currently facing tight capital and will not launch such a major acquisition project before completing the IPO of its agricultural solutions business. BASF has recently appointed Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase as global coordinators for the IPO of this business, and the listing project is expected to be finalized as early as the middle of 2027. Financial data shows that at the end of the first half of 2026, BASF's net debt stood at 17.12 billion euros, its EBITDA before special items over the past 12 months was 7.269 billion euros, with a leverage ratio of 2.35 times; its free cash flow in the first half of 2026 was -1.56 billion euros, further weakening compared to -1.266 billion euros in the first half of 2025. From the perspective of industry background, the European chemical sector is under overall pressure. The decline in local industrial competitiveness, market competition from Chinese chemical enterprises and tariff risks are common challenges faced by the industry, which also leads the market to believe that it is reasonable for this transaction to be finalized at some point in the future. However, there are significant obstacles to the completion of the deal: if the transaction is completed, the new group will need to shut down factories to cut costs, which will encounter complex local political issues. Legal professionals analyzed that acquiring Evonik is in line with the general trend of current European chemical industry consolidation. On one hand, BASF's Zhanjiang integrated base officially went into operation in March 2026, consolidating its market layout in China; in June of the same year, BASF sold its coatings business to The Carlyle Group for an enterprise value of 7.7 billion euros and completed the handover, demonstrating its practical ability in large-scale asset restructuring. Acquiring Evonik can help BASF improve operational efficiency and stabilize its business scale in its home country Germany. Another favorable condition comes from the regulatory level. The EU's new merger guidelines give enterprises more operating space compared to the old rules. The EU intends to cultivate local leading enterprises with scale advantages and enhance industrial resilience. Enterprises can use responding to the competition from Chinese industrial production capacity as an argument for the rationality of the transaction in merger reviews. Sources commented that if this transaction is finally finalized, the BASF-Evonik merger case will become an important test case for the EU's new merger supervision rules. The report also emphasized that at this stage, relevant talks are still in the preliminary stage, and no substantive agreement has been reached. There are still a large number of uncertainties about whether the transaction can advance. [Copyright Notice] In the spirit of openness and inclusiveness of the Internet, ChemNet welcomes all media and institutions to reprint and quote its original content. If reprinted, please mark the source ChemNet. If you find any copyright issues with articles on this website, please contact Chemnet at [email protected]. Important information. Commodity price chart. | Product name | Price (yuan/ton) | Price Limit | | Diethylene glycol | 7400.00 | -23.87% | | Acetic acid | 4553.33 | +11.15% | | N-Methylpyrrolidone | 11633.33 | +11.15% | | Crude oil | 96.24 | -8.93% | | Crude oil | 92.37 | -8.90% | | Acetic anhydride | 7157.50 | +8.65% | | Propylene Glycol | 9533.33 | -8.33% | | Ferrous lithium phosphate | 52166.67 | -7.94% | | Propylene oxide | 11100.00 | -7.76% | | n-Octanol | 32500.00 | +7.73% | | Methanol | 4065.00 | +6.41% | | BDO | 9425.00 | +6.40% | | 1,3-butadiene | 13433.33 | -6.28% | | Petroleum coke | 3519.00 | +5.71% | | Sulfuric acid | 1737.50 | -5.57% | Scan to access the mobile version View the latest and hottest chemical news content

Banks rally; JPM dividend, payments innovation lead sector. Citigroup, BlackRock, Goldman pace gains; JPMorgan raises quarterly payout while Visa partnership expands cross-border infrastructure Banks & lending. Goldman Sachs Close $959.39 +1.85% JPM BAC WFC C GS JPMorgan Chase ($JPM) declared a quarterly dividend of $1.65 per share on September 15, an increase from $1.50 previously, with the payout scheduled for October 31 to shareholders of record. The dividend increase underscores the bank's capital return capacity while maintaining balance sheet strength, reinforcing its position among large-cap money center banks focused on shareholder distributions. Bank of America ($BAC) disclosed a newly established $94.74 million stake in Lattice Semiconductor, marking institutional portfolio activity in semiconductor equities. The bank has been active in September across multiple capital markets fronts, including preferred dividend declarations and a series of fixed income offerings, alongside a senior advisory hire in its Australian investment banking arm. Recent funding and capital structure moves came against softer share price performance, with declines of 6.05% over the past thirty days and 2.54% over seven days, contrasted with a one-year total shareholder return of 14.01%. Wells Fargo ($WFC) appeared in market commentary related to broader technology sector coverage, as its AI-driven upgrade reinforced investor confidence in a separate technology name. Citigroup ($C) closed the most recent trading session at $135.06, marking a gain from the prior day as the bank participated in the broader financial sector advance. Goldman Sachs ($GS) closed at $959.39 in the latest session, rising alongside investment banking peers as capital markets activity continued. Payments & fintech. Chase Freedom Flex Cash Back Rate Visa ($V) announced a collaboration with UPT to implement Currencycloud, a Visa Direct offering, enabling corporate customers to access virtual EUR and GBP IBANs in their own company name and manage international collections through a single platform. The partnership expands cross-border payment infrastructure for commercial clients seeking streamlined multi-currency account management without establishing separate local banking relationships. JPMorgan Chase ($JPM) introduced enhanced travel benefits on its Chase Freedom Flex card, including elimination of foreign transaction fees on international purchases and access to Points Boost offers when redeeming points on select hotel bookings through Chase Travel. Freedom Flex cardmembers already earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel purchases, and the new features add incremental value for cardholders booking and traveling internationally. Asset management. BlackRock Dividend Yield BlackRock ($BLK) was highlighted in dividend quality screening analysis blending a 2.74% yield, steady growth trajectory, and solid profitability metrics, though valuation levels and certain risk factors warrant closer examination by income-focused investors. The asset manager received notification on September 21 from its own holding company that it crossed a threshold for notification of a relevant change under AIM Rules for Companies on September 18, related to its stake in Caledonia Mining Corporation. BlackRock also disclosed holdings adjustments in Endeavour Mining as part of routine portfolio rebalancing activities. Morgan Stanley ($MS) unveiled its 2027 'Vintage Values' stock roster after its 2026 roster outperformed the S&P 500, providing forward-looking equity selections for institutional and retail clients. The firm is hosting its 14th Annual Laguna Conference, where transportation carrier Saia is scheduled to present with its chief executive and finance head addressing investors on operational and financial priorities. Important disclaimer - not investment advice. Disclaimer: This article is provided by Money365.Market for general information and educational purposes only. It is not financial advice, a personal recommendation, or an inducement to buy, sell, or invest in any security or product. Capital is at risk and the value of investments can go down as well as up; past performance does not indicate future results. You should seek independent advice from an FCA-authorised adviser before making any financial decision. Read the full disclaimer - 8 further points, including total-loss risk, its regulatory status and conflicts of interest

India economy could nearly triple in 10 years, says JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says India's economy could nearly triple in a decade as the bank plans a major expansion of its research and business operations. Published on: 21 Sept 2026 10:05 PM JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has said India's economy could nearly triple in size over the next decade. Speaking in Mumbai, Dimon also outlined plans to significantly expand JPMorgan's India operations, research coverage and work with Indian companies. He also urged India and the US to complete their trade agreement and warned that global economic pressures could keep interest rates and borrowing costs high. Dimon sees A much bigger India economy. Jamie Dimon's latest comments put India's long-term economic growth in focus. The JPMorgan chief said he believes the Indian economy has the potential to nearly triple over the next ten years. It is a major projection from one of the world's largest banking executives. Dimon was speaking about India's growing role in global business and the opportunities the country could offer to financial institutions, companies and investors. His comments also come as JPMorgan prepares to expand its presence in India. The bank sees the country as an increasingly important market for research, investment banking and other financial services. JPMorgan plans A bigger India footprint. JPMorgan's India operations have grown sharply over the years. Dimon said the bank had around 6,000 employees in India in 2025 and now has about 60,000 professionals working across technical areas, investment banking and other operations. The bank currently covers nearly 200 Indian companies through its research operations. Dimon indicated that this coverage is expected to become much larger in the coming decade. According to his comments, JPMorgan expects around 400 companies to be included in its research coverage, while about 2,000 companies could eventually be covered more broadly. That would mark a significant expansion in how closely the bank tracks Indian businesses. Why India matters to JPMorgan. Dimon also spoke about JPMorgan's long relationship with India. He first visited the country in 2005 and said the bank has continued to build its operations since then. India's large pool of skilled professionals has helped the country become an important base for global financial and technology operations. JPMorgan is also working with Indian companies and multinational firms that want to expand into international markets. The bank's growing India presence reflects the wider interest of global companies in the country. More research coverage can also bring greater attention to Indian businesses across international financial markets. Dimon wants india-Newstrack trade deal finished. The JPMorgan CEO also called for India and the United States to complete their trade agreement. He said both sides should sit down and try to finish the process. A stable trade framework can matter to businesses making long-term investment plans. Companies usually look for clarity on tariffs, market access and other rules before expanding operations across borders. Dimon's comments therefore put trade policy alongside investment as an important part of India's future economic story. Global economy faces fresh pressure. While Dimon was positive about India's long-term prospects, he also warned about wider risks facing the global economy. Persistent inflation, high government borrowing, geopolitical tensions and increasing demand for capital could keep pressure on interest rates and bond yields. He suggested that borrowing costs may stay higher for longer than many expect. Artificial intelligence is another major factor. Dimon said the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure could create enormous demand for capital. He estimated that spending across the hyperscaler ecosystem could reach around $1 trillion next year, compared with about $700 billion this year. AI could change the growth picture. Dimon also pointed to another side of the AI boom. Heavy investment in artificial intelligence could eventually raise productivity and create deflationary pressure as businesses become more efficient. For India, the combination of digital infrastructure, a large workforce and expanding technology capabilities could create new opportunities. Dimon's projection is still a forecast, not a guaranteed outcome. Much will depend on investment, productivity, trade, policy and global economic conditions in the years ahead. Discover more Send Money Overseas Stream History Documentaries Try Science Kits