The Chemical Manufacturing Industry is a favorite target for environmental activists. A number of established molecules have come under sudden and persistent attacks on account of new findings about their deleterious side-effects. Some, like pesticide and asbestos manufacturers, have surrendered their revenue lines and withdrawn their products. Others have developed meaningful stewardship functions, and embarked on programs to manage the risks their brands involve.
Green business is a new fad, but it was still the 20th century when Professor Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School first mooted meeting better environmental and safety standards as a means of competitive ability. This concept has evolved into a whole set of new stock investment opportunities in stock exchanges of today.
Chemicals are ubiquitous in modern life. They are widely responsible for some of the most endearing properties of top consumer brands. Industrial clients are even more aware of chemical product benefits, for many crucial manufacturing processes would be simply impossible without them.
Chemical Manufacturing Industry stocks have nearly doubled in market value as a group over the last 12 months. This is an extraordinary achievement given the relatively pedestrian performance of the S&P 500 index during this period. Almost half of the nearly 90 stocks listed from this industry are in the small capital range, and some of these have Price to Earnings ratios below 15.
Let us hear your thoughts below: