Celanese Corporation (CE) Intrinsic Value & DCF Valuation
Chemicals · NYSE
Current Price
$53.48
Intrinsic Value
$88.47
+39.6% margin of safety
What Is Celanese Corporation's Intrinsic Value?
As of 2026-06-12, our base-case DCF model estimates the intrinsic value of Celanese Corporation (CE) at $88.47 per share, compared with a market price of $53.48, a margin of safety of +39.6%. The base case assumes 8.2% annual free cash flow growth and a 10.0% discount rate.
Across the sensitivity grid the estimate spans $60.4 to $121.37. Intrinsic value is an estimate built on assumptions, not a fact. A higher discount rate or slower growth pushes the estimate down, while stronger cash flow growth lifts it.
How our DCF works · Recalculate with your own assumptions · What is intrinsic value?
Is Celanese Corporation (CE) Undervalued?
At the current price of $53.48, CE trades well below our base-case intrinsic value estimate, a margin of safety above 30%. By this model the stock looks undervalued, but verify the growth assumptions match your own view before acting.
COMPETITIVE MOAT
↑Proprietary Technology & Product Innovation
Celanese leverages advanced polymer science and proprietary processes to develop specialized materials like POM ECO-C. This allows them to create unique solutions for demanding applications, such as automotive fuel pumps.
↑Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain
The company's extensive global manufacturing footprint, including recent optimizations in Asia, ensures reliable supply and proximity to key customers. This scale provides a competitive advantage in serving diverse markets.
↑Customer Relationships & Customization
Celanese works closely with clients like Aisan to tailor material solutions for specific needs. This collaborative approach fosters strong, long-term relationships built on performance and reliability.
INVESTMENT RISKS
↓Commodity Price Volatility
Fluctuations in raw material costs can impact profitability, as seen with recent price increase announcements. Managing these input costs is crucial for maintaining margins.
↓Competitive Landscape & Market Saturation
The chemicals industry is highly competitive. Celanese faces pressure from other players, and market saturation in certain segments could limit growth opportunities.
↓Operational Restructuring Costs
The closure and relocation of facilities, like the Ulsan plant, involve significant restructuring costs and potential disruptions. These moves aim for efficiency but carry short-term financial and operational risks.
Base case
CE base case valuation
Intrinsic Value
$88.47
Margin of safety
+39.6%
Expected annual return
+10.6%
Base case assumptions: 8.2% annual growth, 10.0% discount rate, 6x exit multiple, 5 year projection. Data as of 2026-06-12.
This base case uses default assumptions and is not financial advice. The intrinsic value changes significantly when the growth rate or discount rate changes. Open the calculator to set your own assumptions and see the full sensitivity range.
Customize the CE valuation
Adjust the growth rate, discount rate, and exit multiple to see how the intrinsic value and margin of safety for Celanese Corporation respond.
Open DCF Calculator for CECompany Overview
Celanese Corporation is a global technology and specialized materials firm that manufactures and distributes advanced engineered polymers across the United States and internationally. The company's operations are organized into three primary business units: Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, and Acetyl Chain. The Engineered Materials division is responsible for developing, producing, and supplying specialized polymers essential for various applications, including the automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors. This segment also provides acesulfame potassium, a sweetener used in beverages, confections, and dairy products, as well as food preservation ingredients like potassium sorbate and sorbic acid for food, drink, and personal care items. The Acetate Tow segment offers acetate tows and flakes, predominantly used in filter manufacturing. The Acetyl Chain segment focuses on the production and distribution of acetyl products, such as acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomers, acetic anhydride, and acetate esters. These serve as fundamental raw materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings, and pharmaceuticals, and also provide organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical applications. Additionally, this segment supplies vinyl acetate-based emulsions for use in paints, coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles, and paper. Its product range further includes ethylene vinyl acetate resins and compounds, alongside low-density polyethylene, which are integral to flexible packaging films, lamination products, hot melt adhesives, automotive components, and carpeting. This segment also produces ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Established in 1918, Celanese Corporation's headquarters are located in Irving, Texas.
Financial Metrics — CE Stock Valuation Data
Revenue/Share (TTM)
$86.53
FCF/Share (TTM)
$8.61
ROIC (TTM)
-3.6%
ROE (TTM)
-25.3%
P/FCF
6.2x
EV/EBITDA
40.9x
FCF Yield
16.10%
Debt/Equity
3.09x
Based on trailing twelve-month data, CE shows a free cash flow per share of $8.61 and a ROIC of -3.6%, key inputs for stock valuation using the DCF method. The P/FCF ratio of 6.2x and FCF yield of 16.10% are important context metrics when evaluating CE's stock valuation relative to peers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the intrinsic value of CE?
Celanese Corporation currently generates $8.61 in free cash flow per share. At the current price of $53.48, a DCF model would discount these cash flows at an appropriate WACC and apply a terminal growth rate to arrive at an intrinsic value. The result depends heavily on your growth and discount rate assumptions — a 1% change in WACC typically shifts the fair value estimate by 10-15%. In MiniValuator the model uses a single discount rate that you can edit directly, 10% by default, rather than a computed WACC.
Is CE undervalued?
CE trades at a P/FCF ratio of 6.2x with a free cash flow yield of 16.10%. This relatively low P/FCF may suggest the stock is attractively priced relative to its cash generation. However, whether CE is truly undervalued requires comparing the DCF intrinsic value to the current market price and evaluating whether the margin of safety is sufficient for your risk tolerance.
How do I value CE stock using DCF?
To perform a DCF valuation on Celanese Corporation: (1) Start with the trailing free cash flow per share ($8.61) as the base, (2) project future FCF growth over 5-10 years based on Chemicals industry trends and company fundamentals, (3) apply a discount rate (WACC) reflecting CE's risk profile — with a debt-to-equity of 3.09x, capital structure is an important factor, and (4) add a terminal value for cash flows beyond the projection period.
What is DCF valuation and how does it apply to CE?
DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) estimates what a company is worth today based on its future cash generation. For Celanese Corporation, this means projecting how much free cash flow the company will produce over the next 5-10 years, shaped by Chemicals trends, then discounting those amounts to today's dollars. CE's ROIC of -3.6% suggests the company may face challenges generating returns above its cost of capital.
How does WACC affect CE stock valuation?
WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital) is the discount rate in a DCF model — it reflects the minimum return investors require. For CE, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09x, the capital structure directly influences WACC. A 1% increase in WACC typically reduces the intrinsic value by 10-15%. At an EV/EBITDA of 40.9x, the market's implied discount rate can be reverse-engineered for comparison. In MiniValuator you set this discount rate yourself as a single editable number, 10% by default, instead of computing a formal WACC.
Learn More
- See CE PE Valuation → — Earnings-based stock valuation using PE ratio analysis
- DCF Methodology — Step-by-step guide to discounted cash flow analysis
- PE Methodology — Guide to PE ratio stock valuation
- WACC — Understanding the discount rate used in DCF
- Margin of Safety — How to evaluate downside protection
- Intrinsic Value — How to evaluate stock fair value
- How to Calculate Intrinsic Value — Complete guide for investors
Related Valuations
All Basic Materials valuationsDCF and P/E value CE with different methods and assumptions, so the two conclusions can differ. Compare the P/E fair value.
Price as of 2026-06-12. Financial data from Financial Modeling Prep (trailing twelve months) · Valuation methodology by Charlie Wang.
This is an estimate, not investment advice.