Celanese Corporation (CE) Intrinsic Value & DCF Valuation
Chemicals · NYSE
Current Price
$44.85
Intrinsic Value
$52.31
+14.3% margin of safety
What Is Celanese Corporation's Intrinsic Value?
As of 2026-10-06, the base-case DCF model estimates the intrinsic value of Celanese Corporation (CE) at $52.31 per share, compared with a market price of $44.85, a margin of safety of +14.3%. The base case assumes -0.3% annual free cash flow growth and a 10.0% discount rate.
Across the sensitivity grid the estimate spans $37.33 to $70.02. 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 the DCF works · Recalculate with your own assumptions · What is intrinsic value?
Is Celanese Corporation (CE) Undervalued?
At $44.85, CE trades about 14.3% below the base-case intrinsic value estimate. That is a real discount, but it stays short of the 30% margin of safety required before calling a stock undervalued.
COMPETITIVE MOAT
↑Proprietary Technology & Patents
Celanese possesses a portfolio of proprietary technologies and patents in its core product areas. This intellectual property creates barriers to entry for competitors seeking to replicate its specialized chemical formulations and manufacturing processes.
↑Global Manufacturing Scale & Efficiency
The company operates a vast global network of manufacturing facilities. This scale allows for cost efficiencies, supply chain optimization, and the ability to serve diverse customer needs worldwide, making it difficult for smaller players to compete on volume.
↑Strong Customer Relationships & Integration
Celanese has established deep relationships with key customers, often integrating its products into their manufacturing processes. This integration creates switching costs and fosters loyalty, as customers rely on the consistency and performance of Celanese's materials.
INVESTMENT RISKS
↓Regulatory & Environmental Scrutiny
The chemical industry is subject to stringent environmental regulations and potential future policy changes. Compliance costs and the risk of operational disruptions due to new regulations pose a persistent challenge.
↓Geopolitical & Supply Chain Disruptions
Global operations expose Celanese to geopolitical instability and potential supply chain disruptions. Events like trade disputes or regional conflicts can impact raw material availability and finished goods delivery.
↓Competition from Emerging Markets
As manufacturing capabilities grow in emerging economies, Celanese faces increasing competition from lower-cost producers. This can put pressure on pricing and market share in certain segments.
Base case
CE base case valuation
Intrinsic Value
$52.31
Margin of safety
+14.3%
Expected annual return
+3.1%
Base case assumptions: -0.3% annual growth, 10.0% discount rate, 6.79x exit multiple, 5 year projection. Data as of 2026-10-06.
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 produces and sells engineered polymers worldwide. It operates through Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain segments. The company offers ethylene acrylic elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate pharmaceutical grade copolymers, liquid crystal polymers, long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics, nylon and polypropylene compounds and formulations, polyoxymethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, and vulcanizates for use in appliance, automotive, construction, consumer apparel, consumer electronics, electrical, energy storage, filtration equipment, industrial, medical, and telecommunication applications. It also provides acetic acid and anhydride, acetate flakes and tows, butyl acetates, emulsion polymers, ethyl acetates, ethylene vinyl acetate resins and compounds, formaldehydes, redispersible powders, and vinyl acetate monomers for use in adhesives, automotive parts, coatings, consumer goods, external thermal insulation composite systems, films, filtration, flexible packaging, food and beverage, food packaging, inks, lamination, lubricants, paints, paper finishing, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, plasters and renders, solvents, textiles, and tiling applications. The company offers its products under the Amcel, AOPlus, Ateva, Avicor, Celanese, Celanex, Celanyl, Celcon, Celstran, Celvolit, Clarifoil, Crastin, Dur-O-Set, Dytron, ECOMID, EcoVAE, Elotex, Factor, Flexbond, Forprene, FRIANYL, Fortron, Geolast, GHR, GUR, Hostaform, Hytrel, Laprene, Melinex, MetaLX, Mowilith, MT, Mylar, NILAMID, Nylfor, OmniLon, Pibifor, Pibiter, Polifor, Resyn, Rynite, Santoprene, SlideX, Sofprene, Sofpur, Talcoprene, Tarnoform, Tecnoprene, TufCOR, Tynex, Vamac, VAntage, Vectra, Vinac, Vinamul, VitalDose, Zenite, and Zytel brands. It sells its products directly to customers and through distributors; and original equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Celanese Corporation was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Financial Metrics — CE Stock Valuation Data
Revenue/Share (TTM)
$88.45
FCF/Share (TTM)
$6.45
ROIC (TTM)
-3.8%
ROE (TTM)
-28.8%
P/FCF
6.8x
EV/EBITDA
90.1x
FCF Yield
14.72%
Debt/Equity
2.96x
Based on trailing twelve-month data, CE shows a free cash flow per share of $6.45 and a ROIC of -3.8%, key inputs for stock valuation using the DCF method. The P/FCF ratio of 6.8x and FCF yield of 14.72% 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 $6.45 in free cash flow per share. At the current price of $44.85, 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 6.8x with a free cash flow yield of 14.72%. A low P/FCF means investors are paying less per dollar of free cash flow; whether that is cheap depends on the company's growth, cyclicality, and capital intensity. 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 ($6.45) 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 2.96x, 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 -3.8% means the company's return on invested capital sits below the level that typically clears 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 2.96x, the capital structure directly influences WACC. A 1% increase in WACC typically reduces the intrinsic value by 10-15%. At an EV/EBITDA of 90.1x, 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 2026-10-06. Financial data from Financial Modeling Prep (trailing twelve months) · Valuation methodology by Charlie Wang.
This is an estimate, not investment advice.