Westlake Corporation CFO Jonathan Baksht Acquires Shares

Jonathan Baksht, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Westlake Corporation, recently purchased 20,580 shares of the company. This insider transaction took place on June 15, 2026, and was not part of a pre-arranged trading plan. This move comes as Westlake's stock is trading around $87.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Westlake Corporation

Jonathan Baksht's recent acquisition of 20,580 shares adds to the insider activity at Westlake Corporation. Additionally, Mark Steven Bender, the Executive Vice President and CFO, sold 5,284 shares at an average price of $97.34 on May 13, 2026. Earlier, on May 12, 2026, Bender had a mixed transaction involving selling and buying 13,164 shares each.

Other Institutional Activity in Westlake Corporation

Several institutional investors have also been active in Westlake Corporation. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd increased its holdings by 906,884 shares, bringing its total to 5,293,519 shares valued at approximately $618.4 million. Capital World Investors made a significant addition of 2,039,682 shares, now holding 4,211,006 shares worth about $491.9 million. On the other hand, BlackRock, Inc. reduced its stake by 182,346 shares, leaving it with 3,079,087 shares valued at $359.7 million. Price T Rowe Associates Inc /MD/ and Brandes Investment Partners, LP also grew their positions with increases of 198,742 and 172,323 shares, respectively.

Westlake Corporation Stock Snapshot

Westlake Corporation, trading on the NYSE under the ticker WLK, has a market capitalization of approximately $11.2 billion. The stock has a forward P/E ratio of 22.82 and a beta of 0.59, indicating less volatility compared to the market. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged from a low of $56.33 to a high of $124.23. Its 50-day moving average is $100.78, while the 200-day moving average is $88.41. The company maintains a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.52, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 70.49.

Recent Earnings

Westlake Corporation reported revenue of $10.98 billion, though it experienced a revenue decline of 6.8%. The company reported a negative net margin of 14.9% and a negative return on equity of 15.95%. The next earnings release is scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Dividend

Westlake Corporation offers an annual dividend rate of $2.12, yielding 2.42% with a payout ratio of 69.4%. This provides investors with a steady income stream alongside potential capital appreciation.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts have mixed views on Westlake Corporation. On June 5, 2026, UBS maintained its 'buy' rating with a price target of $117. Citigroup downgraded the stock to 'hold' on May 27, 2026, with a target of $95. RBC Capital maintained a 'buy' rating with a $130 target on May 11, 2026. The consensus recommendation is a 'buy', with an average target price of $113.36 based on 14 analyst opinions.

About Westlake Corporation

Westlake Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of performance and essential materials, along with housing and infrastructure products. The company operates through two main segments: Performance and Essential Materials, which includes products like polyethylene and PVC, and Housing and Infrastructure Products, offering items such as PVC siding and pipes. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, and led by CEO Jean-Marc Gilson, Westlake serves various industries, including construction, automotive, and healthcare, with operations spanning the United States, Canada, and several international markets.

Bottom Line

Jonathan Baksht's recent share purchase highlights ongoing insider confidence in Westlake Corporation. Investors keep a close eye on such transactions for potential insights into company prospects. This activity, along with mixed institutional movements and varied analyst opinions, offers a comprehensive view of the current sentiment around Westlake. As always, remember that insider and institutional activities are backward-looking and may not indicate future performance.