BASF's Australian Herbicide Breakthroughs as Portfolio Surgery and Buybacks Continue
Published on 11/08/2026 at 14:51 | Editorial boerse-global.de
BASF has secured Australian registration for its Luximax herbicide for use on rapeseed, the company said Wednesday, marking the first Group-30 chemistry cleared for that crop in the country. The approval landed alongside a flurry of portfolio, partnership and capital-return announcements — a busy stretch that investors largely shrugged off as a global selloff in AI and semiconductor names dragged the stock down 2.9% on Friday.
The broader retreat hit European equities hard, with Reuters attributing the drop in risk appetite to worries over AI spending following the US election outcome. Germany's DAX fell further than other regional benchmarks, and BASF was swept up in the downdraft.
Analyst nudges target but keeps neutral stance
LBBW raised its price target on BASF from EUR 56 to EUR 57 on Wednesday, according to media reports, while reaffirming its "Hold" rating. The higher target came without any change to the investment verdict.
Chile exit agreed as Evonik resistance holds
On the deal front, BASF agreed Friday to sell its Palatal business in Chile to ALTA Performance Materials. The transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, meaning it is signed but not yet completed.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying BASF?
Its takeover approach for Evonik continues to meet a wall of opposition. Evonik interim chief Claus Rettig reiterated his rejection of BASF's offer of EUR 24 per Evonik share, the Handelsblatt reported Thursday. The bid values Evonik at more than EUR 11 billion.
Nanjing electronics plant on the drawing board
BASF signed an investment agreement Tuesday with the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area for a new production site for electronic materials in Nanjing. Commissioning is targeted for the end of 2028, according to the company.
Buyback continues
In a separate notice on November 2, BASF disclosed the repurchase of roughly 355,000 of its own shares between October 26 and October 30 inclusive, carried out under its share buyback program.
The financial backdrop is a guidance upgrade issued about two weeks ago. BASF lifted its 2026 EBITDA forecast before special items to a range of EUR 7.4 billion to EUR 7.8 billion, up from a previous EUR 6.9 billion to EUR 7.7 billion. Revenue for the third quarter of 2026 came in at EUR 16.4 billion.
Automotive awards stack up
Recognition for its vehicle components arrived midweek. On Thursday, BASF, Stellantis and L&L Products received an SPE Automotive Innovation Award for a tunnel reinforcement used in the 2027 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokee. The composite material contains 60% recycled polyamide, according to BASF.
BASF at a turning point? This analysis reveals what investors need to know now.
A day earlier, BASF, Toyota and Vuteq collected the SPE Automotive Innovation Grand Award for the cargo bed of the 2026 model-year Toyota Tacoma.
Cosmetics tie-up under review
In personal care, BASF and ParagonCorp are exploring a possible collaboration. The two companies signed a letter of intent Tuesday focused on scientifically grounded innovations.
Ad
BASF Stock: New Analysis - 8 November
Fresh BASF information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
