Stepan Company (SCL): A Steady Performer Among Dividend Champions

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) is included among the Best Dividend Stocks for a Dividend Champions List.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) is based in Illinois and produces specialty and intermediate chemicals used across different industries. In its most recent update, President and CEO Luis E. Rojo said the business turned in strong results, with double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth in the first half of 2025. He acknowledged that higher oleochemical costs have been a drag on surfactant margins but added that management expects to see margins improve gradually over the rest of the year.

In the second quarter, Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) reported adjusted EBITDA of $51.4 million, an 8% increase from a year ago. Volumes were up 1% overall, lifted by a 7% gain in Polymers and a big 49% jump in the NCT product line. Net income on an adjusted basis came in at $12 million, which was 27% higher than last year. Rojo pointed to solid earnings in polymers and crop productivity and also noted that a lower tax rate helped. He said production at the company’s new Pasadena, Texas, plant is ramping up and should add to results in the back half of 2025.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) also added more than 400 new customers during the quarter, according to Rojo. Crop productivity and oilfield businesses both showed double-digit growth. Looking ahead, the company remains on schedule to close the sale of its site in the Philippines later this year, while continuing efforts to trim and optimize its global footprint.

From a shareholder perspective, Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) has one of the most consistent dividend records in the market. The company has increased its payout for 57 straight years. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.385 per share, giving the stock a yield of about 3.16%, as of October 2.

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