New York, Feb 12, 2026, 08:31 EST — Premarket
- Shares climbed 3.4% in premarket trading, following a 17.5% surge in the previous session
- Despite beating sales expectations and steady nuclear demand, the 2026 profit forecast falls short of Street estimates
- Introducing its first dividend alongside a UF6 output expansion plan, the company is zeroing in on boosting cash returns and driving growth
Shares of Solstice Advanced Materials (SOLS.O) climbed 3.4% in premarket trading, reaching $77.47 after Wednesday’s sharp 17.5% jump that pushed the stock to close at $74.95.
Investors are digesting a softer 2026 profit forecast from Solstice, which is balancing this against growth prospects in nuclear fuel services, data centers, and semiconductor materials. The company, spun off from Honeywell (HON.O) last October, expects adjusted earnings per share between $2.45 and $2.75 for 2026—falling short of the $2.93 average estimate from analysts, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters.
This matters now because the stock’s initial full-year outlook as an independent company sets the baseline for margins, not just demand. Management insists the long-term boost from AI-powered data centers and nuclear power remains solid, yet the company is still navigating cost pressures and mix challenges in refrigerants and other segments.
Solstice reported an 8% increase in fourth-quarter net sales, reaching $987 million. However, adjusted standalone EBITDA dropped 20% to $189 million, with margins shrinking to 19.1%. The company projects 2026 net sales between $3.9 billion and $4.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA from $975 million to $1.025 billion, and capital expenditures between $400 million and $425 million. For the first quarter, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the $235 million to $245 million range.
Solstice has taken the step of initiating shareholder payments. The board approved a quarterly dividend of 7.5 cents per share, set to be paid on March 10 to those listed as shareholders by Feb. 24.
Solstice revealed earlier this week that its Metropolis Works plant in Illinois is set to churn out more than 10 kilotonnes of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) in 2026, marking a roughly 20% jump over its 2024 target. The company reported a backlog exceeding $2 billion and is eyeing additional debottlenecking and capacity expansion, partially backed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Meanwhile, ConverDyn—a joint venture with General Atomics—continues as the exclusive marketing agent for the UF6 produced at Metropolis.
UF6 is a key intermediate in prepping uranium for enrichment, a crucial stage before fuel gets made for reactors. A larger U.S. supply is important for buyers aiming to secure long-term deals. At the same time, any outages or regulatory hurdles at the plant can cause earnings to fluctuate significantly.
The immediate concern remains the margin outlook. Solstice pointed to rising operating costs, plant downtime, and the move to low-global-warming-potential refrigerants—these eco-friendlier alternatives could weigh on margins even as sales grow.
Traders will be keeping an eye on whether Thursday’s gains stick after the market opens, and if management can hit its first-quarter targets to confirm that margin rebound. Key upcoming dates include the Feb. 24 dividend record date and any updates on the schedule and budget for the Metropolis capacity project.
