LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V. (LYB)

Materials · Chemicals · Price $62.59
Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Below Average Equity Returns — Materials
ROE of -3.34% — below the 7% floor Zyberno applies to Materials businesses.
ROE
-3.34%
Return on Equity
ROIC
3.25%
Return on Invested Capital
ROA
-1.02%
Return on Assets
Debt/Equity
1.21x
Leverage Ratio
Book Value/Share
$33.06
Equity Per Share

🧮 LYB ROE Calculation

ROE = Net Income / Shareholders' Equity
Net Income (TTM) $-346.0M
Shareholders' Equity $10.7B
Total Debt $12.9B
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.21x
ROE (Return on Equity) -3.34%

Understanding ROE

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how efficiently a company generates profits from shareholders' equity. For LYB, the current ROE is -3.34%.

Why ROE Matters

Warren Buffett has called ROE one of his favorite metrics because it shows how well management uses shareholders' capital to generate returns. A company that consistently earns 15%+ ROE is typically a well-run business that creates value for shareholders.

ROE Benchmarks

Excellent: >20%

Exceptional returns on equity. Often indicates strong competitive advantages. Common in capital-light businesses.

Good: 15-20%

Above-average ROE. Buffett often looks for companies in this range or higher.

Average: 10-15%

Typical for most companies. Returns are reasonable but not exceptional.

Below Average: <10%

May indicate poor capital allocation or challenging business conditions.

The DuPont Analysis

ROE can be decomposed into three components using DuPont analysis:

ROE = Net Margin × Asset Turnover × Equity Multiplier

This breakdown reveals whether high ROE comes from high profitability (good), efficient asset use (good), or high leverage (potentially risky).

ROE vs ROIC: Which is Better?

ROIC: 3.25% →

ROIC measures returns on ALL capital. It's more comprehensive and less affected by leverage. Often considered the better quality metric.

ROE: -3.34%

ROE only measures returns on equity. Can be inflated by high debt. If ROE >> ROIC, the company uses significant leverage.

Owner Earnings: $1.2B →

Shows actual cash available to owners. Use alongside ROE and ROIC for complete analysis.

Net Income: $-346.0M →

The numerator in ROE. Understanding net income trends helps explain ROE changes over time.

What to Look For

📊 Full LYB Stock Report

Intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and 250+ metrics.

🏆 LYB ROIC

Compare ROE to ROIC — the more comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 LYB P/E Ratio

Analyze valuation relative to earnings and understand market pricing.

👤 LYB Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 LYB Net Income

See the earnings that drive ROE calculations.

💵 LYB Free Cash Flow

Actual cash generation after capital expenditures.

View Full LYB Report Find More Quality Stocks
📊 Valuation Trilogy
Three interconnected metrics built on Owner Earnings
💎
Intrinsic Value
DCF Fair Value
$16.29
🛡️
Margin of Safety
Valuation Gap
-100.0%
🎯
Expected Return
Projected Annual
-38.9%
Click any metric for full methodology and detailed analysis

Summary: LYB Return on Equity

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V. (LYB) has a ROE of -3.34% — below the 7% floor Zyberno applies to materials companies where cyclical pricing and capital requirements moderate returns, indicating weak returns on shareholders' capital. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.21x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (3.25%) for a leverage-neutral view. For complete financial analysis, view the full LYB stock report on Zyberno.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LYB's current ROE?

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.'s Return on Equity (ROE) is -3.34%, measured against the 15% excellent threshold Zyberno applies to Materials businesses. ROE measures the company's profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Is LYB's ROE good?

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V. (LYB) has a ROE of -3.34% — below the 7% floor Zyberno applies to materials companies where cyclical pricing and capital requirements moderate returns, indicating weak returns on shareholders' capital. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.21x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (3.25%) for a leverage-neutral view.

What is the difference between ROE and ROIC?

ROE measures returns on shareholder equity only, while ROIC measures returns on all invested capital (debt + equity). LYB's ROE is -3.34% vs ROIC of 3.25%. ROE can be inflated by high debt, making ROIC often a more reliable quality metric.

Can high ROE be misleading?

Yes, high ROE can be misleading if achieved through high debt. LYB's debt-to-equity ratio is 1.21x. Compare ROE to ROIC — if ROE is much higher than ROIC, the company uses significant leverage which adds risk.

📊 Full LYB Stock Report

See LYB's intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and complete financial analysis with 250+ metrics.

🏆 LYB ROIC

Compare to Return on Invested Capital — the most comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 LYB P/E Ratio

Analyze the price-to-earnings ratio and earnings yield as a valuation metric.

🎯 LYB Earnings Surprise (SUE)

See whether LYB is beating or missing its own earnings trend — Standardized Unexpected Earnings and post-earnings drift.

👤 LYB Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 LYB Net Income

See the bottom-line profit that drives return calculations.

📊 LYB EPS

Earnings per share — net income on a per-share basis.

View Full LYB Report Find More Quality Stocks
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