LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB)

Return on total capital

Dec 31, 2023 Sep 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2023 Mar 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Sep 30, 2022 Jun 30, 2022 Mar 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) (ttm) US$ in thousands 3,053,000 3,225,000 3,023,000 4,153,000 5,101,000 5,525,000 6,961,000 7,346,000 6,773,000 6,755,000 4,530,000 2,343,000 1,559,000 1,464,000 2,565,000 3,403,000 4,211,000 4,292,000 4,603,000 5,150,000
Long-term debt US$ in thousands
Total stockholders’ equity US$ in thousands 12,930,000 13,205,000 12,931,000 12,721,000 12,615,000 12,191,000 12,230,000 12,698,000 11,858,000 11,800,000 10,524,000 8,800,000 7,971,000 7,306,000 7,358,000 7,324,000 8,044,000 7,888,000 10,721,000 10,138,000
Return on total capital 23.61% 24.42% 23.38% 32.65% 40.44% 45.32% 56.92% 57.85% 57.12% 57.25% 43.04% 26.62% 19.56% 20.04% 34.86% 46.46% 52.35% 54.41% 42.93% 50.80%

December 31, 2023 calculation

Return on total capital = EBIT (ttm) ÷ (Long-term debt + Total stockholders’ equity)
= $3,053,000K ÷ ($—K + $12,930,000K)
= 23.61%

The return on total capital of LyondellBasell Industries NV has shown a decreasing trend over the past eight quarters. Q1 2022 had the highest return on total capital at 34.65%, followed by Q2 2022 at 33.25%. However, the return on total capital has been steadily declining since then, reaching its lowest point in Q2 2023 at 13.18%. Despite a slight increase in Q3 2023 to 14.37%, the return on total capital in Q4 2023 remained relatively low at 14.70%.

This decreasing trend in the return on total capital indicates that the company may be facing challenges in generating profits relative to the total capital employed in its operations. It is important for LyondellBasell Industries NV to closely monitor and assess the efficiency of its capital allocation and operational performance to improve its return on total capital in the future.


Peer comparison

Dec 31, 2023