Solvay Shares Plunge 6.38% Following First Quarter Results
The Belgian chemical company experiences the sharpest decline in the SBF 120 this Thursday midday, following the release of its first quarter 2026 results. The share price drops to €27.02, while the broader Paris index falls by 0.14%. The session wipes out the entire rebound that began in late April within a few hours.
A Sharp Reaction to the Quarterly Publication
Solvay's shares fell by 6.38% to €27.02, down from €28.86 the previous day. The group unveiled its first quarter 2026 accounts this morning, which were considered solid across most activities, with progress in the ongoing transformation. However, the management does not foresee an improvement in the external environment in the short term and is prioritizing cash generation in the face of increased volatility. This cautious message, detailed in today's release, contrasts with a chemical sector exposed to energy costs. The stock ranks 120th in the SBF 120, marking the largest decline in the broad index. Vallourec follows with a decline of 5.31%. The movement comes after several sessions of gains: the stock had breached its resistance at €28.56 in early May, approaching the publication. The rebound that began in April has now been erased.
The €26.83 Support Level in Sight
Today's drop brings the share price to the lower end of the Bollinger Bands, near the lower boundary at €26.83. The stock falls below its 20-day moving average (€27.72) and approaches its 200-day average, at €27.22, which has so far acted as a pivot. The technical support identified at €24.96 is the lower zone to watch if the decline continues. Over the year, the stock now shows a loss of 19.82%. The sector context remains marked by the significant easing of Brent crude this week, amid diplomatic rapprochement between Washington and Tehran, with no direct link established to Solvay's movement. The next key event on the calendar is the general assembly, scheduled for May 12, 2026. The semi-annual results will be published on July 29, 2026.