Olin CorporationTightening chlor-alkali supply/demand outlook could drive pricing and volume recovery, with Olin as swing producer.
Hotchkis & Wiley's Mid-Cap Value Fund highlighted Olin Corporation as a detractor in the second quarter of 2026, but sees a tightening North American chlor-alkali supply/demand outlook over the next five-plus years that could drive a pricing and volume recovery. The fund noted that Olin, one of the largest global producers of chlor alkali chemicals and chlorine derivatives and owner of the Winchester ammunition brand, is significantly underearning due to below-normal commodity prices and demand. As the swing producer in the region, Olin could capture more than its share of the improvement, with shareholder-friendly capital allocation and an investment-grade balance sheet commitment reinforcing the case. The stock's decline reflects an easing of Middle East tensions that will loosen near-term supply/demand dynamics, while Olin also announced a merger of equals with Huntsman that the fund views as strategically sound and likely to reduce risk through synergy capture and deleveraging. Olin shares closed at $18.62 on August 3, 2026, with a one-month return of negative 10.22% and a 52-week loss of 2.05%, giving it a market capitalization of $2.12 billion.
Olin CorporationTightening chlor-alkali supply/demand outlook could drive pricing and volume recovery, with Olin as swing producer.
Huntsman CorporationMerger of equals with Olin viewed as strategically sound, reducing risk via synergies and deleveraging.