BASF
is a chemical company. It was founded in the middle of 1865 in the city of
Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, by Friedrich Engelhorn to produce inks. It
is the largest chemical company in the world, surpassing Dow Chemical Company
and DuPont. BASF increased its sales by 11.1%, up to 87,300 million euros in
2022
Its
main factory, still located in the city of origin of the company
(Ludwigshafen), has become the largest integrated chemical enclosure in the
world, with a surface area of 10 square kilometers. The production center comprises
2,000 buildings, 115 kilometers of streets, and approximately 211 kilometers of
railways, where more than 39,000 employees are employed.
The study of BASF began on January 4, 2010, and
continued until June 18, 2025. During this period, the long-term profitability
was negative at -5.86%. With a mean of 63.60, a median of 64.44, and a mode of
66.66.
The difference between these position statistics
shows a rightward skew and a flatter-than-normal kurtosis.
The chart analysis shows a downward trend with a
negative slope. The equation of the least squares line is Y = -0.0042x +
71.882, and the coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.1058. This is low,
suggesting that the linear model explains only a small portion of price
variability, indicating the presence of other factors and non-purely linear
behavior. In addition, two polynomial trend curves were plotted to establish
the duration of market cycles. To do
this, a green 6th-order polynomial was drawn, which explains 71.63%. Often, when plotting the 6th-order polynomial, it is
greatly influenced by small variations due to its sensitivity. To avoid this,
we draw a 3rd order polynomial that presents a more moderate behavior, giving
an R2 = 69.74%.
The cycle has a duration of
3.9 years in the prosperity phase. The deformation coefficient of 0.1994 is
positive, indicating a rightward deformation. The difference between resistance
and support is 58.82, implying a considerable range of fluctuations for the
stock price over the long term. The cumulative probability p = 7.15%, which in
the context of support and resistance could indicate low confidence in the
persistence of certain price levels or intrinsic weakness in the recovery from
lows. This shows little confidence because the cumulative probability shows a
low value.
The forecast for the next half
year is €54.34, which is significantly below the historical average for the
period, reinforcing the expectation of a continuation of the downward trend.
In the medium term, the BASF
study began on March 3, 2021, and runs through June 18, 2025. Over this period
of the last three years, the long-term profitability achieved was negative at
-40.85%, with a mean of 50.85, a median of 47.44, and a mode of 67.08, similar
to the long term, but now further from the mean and median, suggesting that
high prices are less frequent during this period. The difference between these
statistics continues to show a right skew, and the kurtosis is flatter than the
normal (platykurtic), indicating a distribution with lighter tails, albeit with
a steeper decline in average prices. The
difference between these position statistics shows a right skew and a flatter
kurtosis than the normal.
The downward trend with a negative slope is more
pronounced, with an equation of the least squares line Y = − 0.0213 x + 62.63.
The R2 = 0.5552 is significantly higher than in the long run, indicating that
the linear trend explains a greater proportion of price variability in this
more recent period. In addition, two polynomial trend curves were drawn to
establish the duration of the market cycles. To do this, a green 6th-order polynomial was drawn that
explains 83.36%. On many occasions, when the 6th order polynomial is drawn, it
is greatly influenced by small variations due to its sensitivity; to avoid
this, we drew a 3rd order polynomial that exhibits moderate behavior, giving an
R2 = 80.31%. The prosperity phase
of the cycle is shorter, lasting 1.54 years. This
suggests faster or less sustainable market cycles in this recent period.
The distortion coefficient of 0.9989 is positive,
indicating a rightward distortion. The difference between resistance and
support is 33.76. This range of fluctuations is narrower than in the long term,
which could indicate lower absolute volatility in this recent period, but
within a downtrend. The cumulative probability p = 16.34% remains low,
suggesting low confidence in the recovery or stability at low levels,
indicating low confidence.
The forecast for the next quarter is €37.38,
reinforcing the expectation of a continued decline and well below the average
for the period.
In the short term, the BASF study ran from September
27, 2024, to June 18, 2025. Over this period, the short-term profitability
achieved was negative by -12.84%, with a mean of €45.24, a median of €44.60,
and a mode of €42.42. Over this period, the mode is lower than the mean and
median, which, together with the difference between the statistics, indicates a
right skew. The kurtosis is steeper than the normal (leptokurtic) kurtosis,
suggesting that, despite the downward trend, there has been a higher frequency
of more extreme price movements (positive or negative) compared to a normal
distribution.
The linear downward trend is less pronounced, with
the equation Y = − 0.0072 x + 45.945. The R2 = 0.0164 is extremely low,
indicating that linear regression explains a negligible proportion of the
short-term variability in the stock price. This suggests that short-term price
movement is highly erratic or dominated by noise, and a simple linear trend is
not adequate. Two polynomial trend curves were also plotted to establish the
duration of market cycles. To do
this, a 6th-order polynomial, colored green, was plotted, explaining 64.35%.
Often, when plotting the 6-point polynomial, it is heavily influenced by small
variations, which is called overfitting due to its sensitivity to extreme
values. To avoid this, we plot
a 3rd-order polynomial, which exhibits moderate behavior, giving an R2 =
34.60%. The prosperity phase of the cycle is very short, 58 days, which
underscores the rapid reversal or lack of sustainability of short-term bullish
movements.
The distortion coefficient of 0.8361 is positive,
indicating that the distortion is to the right. The difference between
resistance and support is 14.83. The cumulative probability p = 15.81% shows
little confidence, because the cumulative probability shows a low value.
The forecast for the next half year is €43.65, also
below the period average, confirming the expectation of continued downward
pressure.
BASF's stock performance exhibits a clear and
sustained downward trend across all time horizons, with an acceleration in the
average price decline and negative returns in the medium term.
The consistent decline in the mean and median price
as the time horizon shortens, from €63.60 in the long term to €45.24 in the
short term, is an unequivocal sign of a structural deterioration in market
perception of BASF. The negative returns across all periods, especially the
-40.85% in the medium term, highlight a prolonged and significant bearish
phase.
The standard deviation decreases from the long to the
medium term, from 14.69 to 9.04, which could indicate a consolidation phase or
price stagnation within the downtrend. However, the leptokurtic kurtosis in the
short term suggests that, while the range may be narrower, sudden (extreme)
movements are more likely. The range between resistance and support has also
narrowed in the short term, reflecting a smaller range of movement.
The trend has remained at similar levels in the long
and medium term, around €66-€67, but it is notable that in the short term,
€42.42 has become more aligned with current prices. This could indicate that
previously "frequent" price levels are now resistance points, and
that current prices are consolidating in a lower range. The positive right skew
in the price distribution across all periods suggests that, although prices
have declined, the distribution has a longer tail toward higher prices, which
could reflect occasional rebound spikes that are not sustained.
Forecasts for the next half year are consistently
below the respective means for each period: €54.34 for LP, €37.38 for MP, and
€43.65 for CP, indicating a widespread expectation of continued deterioration
or at least a downward trend.
The lower volatility in the medium term and the
narrow range in the short term, combined with bearish forecasts, may suggest
that the market has already priced in much of the bad news but lacks clear
catalysts for a reversal.
The low R2 values in the linear regression for the
long and short terms, 0.1058 and 0.0164 respectively, indicate that the linear
trend is a poor predictor of price behavior. Polynomial trends, especially the
third-order trend with higher R2 values of 70-80% in the long-term/long-term,
are more effective at capturing cycles, but even so, a short-term R2 of 34.60%
for the third-order polynomial suggests high unpredictability.
For a complete understanding of BASF's downward
trend, it is crucial to complement this quantitative analysis with a
qualitative study of external and fundamental factors:
As an energy-intensive chemical company, BASF is
highly vulnerable to volatile energy prices, especially natural gas, in Europe.
The high inflation environment and rising global interest rates can affect
chemical demand, financing costs, and the purchasing power of end consumers. A
global or regional economic slowdown directly impacts chemical demand in
various industries (automotive, construction, consumer goods).
Decarbonization and sustainability policies in the EU
can impose significant costs on BASF in terms of investments in new
technologies and regulatory compliance.
Carbon taxes and emission permits directly affect the
cost structure.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict impacts the supply of
energy and raw materials, and strains global supply chains. International trade
policy has generated potential tariff barriers or trade disputes affecting
BASF's exports. Global overcapacity is leading the chemical industry to suffer
from overcapacity, which puts pressure on prices and margins. Quantitative
analysis of BASF's historical stock performance reveals a clear and sustained
downward trend across all time horizons, with negative returns and forecasts
suggesting a continuation of this downward pressure. Low confidence in support
levels and the erratic nature of short-term price movements, evidenced by the
low R2 of linear regressions, complicate the identification of inflection
points.