Huntsman Shares Face Divergent Investor Views Amid Market Uncertainty

The stock of chemical producer Huntsman began the week trading lower, reflecting a complex landscape of conflicting institutional moves and uneven fundamentals for its core products.

The company's financial performance is being shaped by divergent regional trends for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a critical revenue driver. Third-quarter 2025 data reveals a split picture:
* Prices in North America and Europe declined by as much as 4.2 percent.
* In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region, specifically Japan, saw a significant increase of 9.5 percent.

This uneven pricing environment adds to recent operational challenges. Huntsman reported an unplanned shutdown at its Rotterdam facility on December 1. Furthermore, the company's Q3 results showed a 5.2 percent year-over-year drop in revenue.

Major Investors Take Opposite Bets

Recent filings highlight a sharp divide in sentiment among major shareholders. On one side, First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. established a substantial new position, acquiring shares valued at approximately $7.26 million. HSBC Holdings PLC also initiated a new stake.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Huntsman?

Conversely, Panagora Asset Management dramatically scaled back its exposure, slashing its holding by 93.5 percent in Q2 2025 to a minimal position. These opposing moves carry considerable weight, as institutions collectively control about 85 percent of the company's freely tradable shares.

Cautious Analyst Outlook and Near-Term Catalysts

Given this backdrop, the consensus among market researchers remains cautious, with recommendations ranging from "Reduce" to "Hold." The average price target consolidates at $10.23, suggesting only modest upside potential of roughly 4 percent from the last closing price of $9.84.

In the short term, the approaching ex-dividend date on December 15 may provide some support for the share price. The equity currently offers a dividend yield near 3.5 percent. Market observers indicate that the next significant directional move will likely depend on whether the current trading level around $9.80 can hold as a support zone.