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APD vs HUN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Air Products and Chemicals (APD) vs. Huntsman Corporation (HUN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- APD is a large-cap industrial gas leader with rising earnings momentum, while HUN is a smaller, more cyclical chemical producer navigating a pending all-stock merger with Olin Corporation (OLN).
- APD has outperformed the broader market on a year-to-date basis, supported by a disciplined portfolio and cost-reduction strategy; HUN has traded in a volatile range amid soft end-market demand.
- Analyst consensus is more constructive on APD (generally a "Buy") than on HUN (generally a "Hold"), reflecting the two companies' very different market positioning.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI currently favors APD over HUN.
- For deeper coverage, explore APD Major News and APD Today's Price Move, as well as HUN Major News and HUN Today's Price Move.
- To see how AI-powered trading systems are positioned across the market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Air Products and Chemicals (APD) and Huntsman Corporation (HUN) both operate in the chemicals and materials sector, yet they represent very different risk and growth profiles. APD is a diversified industrial gas and hydrogen company serving stable, long-term contract markets, while HUN is a specialty chemical manufacturer tied closely to cyclical industries such as construction, automotive, and consumer durables. This stock comparison is relevant for investors and traders evaluating relative performance, market positioning, and how differing business models respond to the same macroeconomic environment. Examining these two names side by side highlights the trade-offs between large-cap stability and smaller-cap cyclical recovery potential.
APD Overview and Recent Performance
APD, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is one of the world's largest industrial gas suppliers, providing atmospheric, process, and specialty gases along with related equipment. The company has focused recent strategy on portfolio optimization, disciplined cost management, and selective investment in hydrogen and clean-energy infrastructure.
In recent weeks, APD's shares have shown notable relative strength, climbing above key moving averages and outperforming the broader market on a year-to-date basis. Sentiment has improved as the company streamlined its clean-energy project portfolio, exited lower-return initiatives, and implemented headcount reductions aimed at roughly $250 million in annual savings. Analysts have maintained a broadly constructive stance, with a consensus generally in "Buy" territory and price targets above recent trading levels. Firm helium and industrial gas demand, combined with productivity gains, have supported the stock's upward trend.
HUN Overview and Recent Performance
HUN, based in The Woodlands, Texas, manufactures diversified organic chemicals across three segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. Its products feed into adhesives, aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and insulation markets, making revenue highly sensitive to the industrial cycle.
HUN's shares have been considerably more volatile than APD's in recent months. The most significant development has been the announcement of an all-stock "merger of equals" with Olin Corporation, a transaction that shareholders have approved and that has since cleared antitrust waiting periods. This corporate transformation has dominated sentiment, alongside persistently soft demand for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a key polyurethane raw material. HUN has reported net losses on a trailing basis and has reduced its dividend, factors that have kept the analyst consensus near "Hold" with a wide dispersion of price targets.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron maintains a large library of AI-powered trading bots covering thousands of individual tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance record, and set of traded securities. Because market conditions shift constantly, only a subset of these bots is well suited to the current environment at any given time. Tickeron curates the strongest and most timely performers into a dedicated Trending AI Robots section, helping traders quickly identify the systems that are presently demonstrating the most relevant signals. Whether you follow momentum, mean reversion, or swing strategies, exploring the curated list can offer a useful view of how quantitative models are currently reading individual stocks and the broader market.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between these two names is scale and business stability. APD generates revenue from long-term, take-or-pay industrial gas contracts and benefits from defensive end markets, whereas HUN is a more cyclical business whose earnings fluctuate with industrial demand and pricing. Growth drivers also differ: APD is positioned around hydrogen, helium, and decarbonization, while HUN's outlook is tied to a chemicals upcycle and the execution of its merger with Olin.
On risk factors, HUN carries elevated leverage relative to its size and faces integration and execution risk around the pending merger, while APD has managed capital-expenditure and project-selection risk through portfolio pruning. In terms of momentum, APD has demonstrated a steadier upward trend, trading above long-term moving averages, whereas HUN has experienced sharper swings tied to news flow. Market sentiment reflects this split, with sell-side ratings and price targets generally more favorable for APD.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, volatility, fundamental stability, and the presence of near-term catalysts, Tickeron's AI would likely favor APD over HUN in the current environment. APD's steadier price trend, improving cost structure, and more constructive analyst positioning contrast with HUN's higher volatility, recent losses, and the uncertainty surrounding its pending merger. While HUN's merger could offer longer-term upside if synergies materialize, the probabilistic balance of signals presently points to APD as the more consistent and better-positioned candidate of the two.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is APD is a StrongBuy and HUN is a Hold.
APD in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026
The 10-day moving average for APD crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 09, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on APD as a result. In 45 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for APD just turned positive on October 06, 2026. Looking at past instances where APD's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 23 of 43 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
APD moved above its 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.00% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where APD advanced for three days, in 165 of 312 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 84 of 225 cases where APD Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 37%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 11 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 15 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where APD declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 59%.
APD broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 8 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (5.075) is normal, around the industry mean (2.431). APD's P/E Ratio (-1506.810) is considerably lower than the industry average of (-18.994). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.006) is also within normal values, averaging (1.548). Dividend Yield (0.023) settles around the average of (0.039) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.074) is also within normal values, averaging (48.960).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. APD’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 47 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 91 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
HUN in downward trend: price may drop because broke its higher Bollinger Band on October 30, 2026
HUN broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 30, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 42 similar instances where the stock broke above the upper band. In 34 of the 42 cases the stock fell afterwards. This puts the odds of success at 81%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where HUN declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 75%.
The Aroon Indicator for HUN entered a downward trend on October 22, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 22, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on HUN as a result. In 59 of 91 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for HUN just turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where HUN's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 34 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
HUN moved above its 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.64% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where HUN advanced for three days, in 163 of 257 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 18 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (0.628) is normal, around the industry mean (1.207). P/E Ratio (-9.181) is within average values for comparable stocks, (3.806). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.080) is also within normal values, averaging (3.769). Dividend Yield (0.036) settles around the average of (0.183) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.269) is also within normal values, averaging (0.578).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 23 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 49 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. HUN’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 92 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. HUN’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 87, placing this stock worse than average.
APD | HUN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 8 Undervalued | 18 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 47 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 91 | 92 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 25 | 49 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 100 | 23 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
APD's Valuation (8) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as HUN (18) in the Chemicals Major Diversified industry. This means that APD’s stock grew similarly to HUN’s over the last 12 months.
APD's Profit vs Risk Rating (47) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is somewhat better than the same rating for HUN (100) in the Chemicals Major Diversified industry. This means that APD’s stock grew somewhat faster than HUN’s over the last 12 months.
APD's SMR Rating (91) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as HUN (92) in the Chemicals Major Diversified industry. This means that APD’s stock grew similarly to HUN’s over the last 12 months.
APD's Price Growth Rating (25) in the Chemicals Specialty industry is in the same range as HUN (49) in the Chemicals Major Diversified industry. This means that APD’s stock grew similarly to HUN’s over the last 12 months.
HUN's P/E Growth Rating (23) in the Chemicals Major Diversified industry is significantly better than the same rating for APD (100) in the Chemicals Specialty industry. This means that HUN’s stock grew significantly faster than APD’s over the last 12 months.
| APD | HUN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 53% | 4 days ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 57% | 4 days ago 77% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 4 days ago 65% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 53% | 4 days ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 67% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 46% | 4 days ago 68% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 53% | 7 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 59% | 5 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 4 days ago 81% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 37% | 4 days ago 73% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
APD’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while HUN’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- APD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- HUN’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
APD’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HUN’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- APD’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- HUN’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
APD (@Chemicals: Specialty) experienced а +3.02% price change this week, while HUN (@Chemicals: Major Diversified) price change was +9.55% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Specialty industry was +0.32%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.60%, and the average quarterly price growth was -7.42%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Chemicals: Major Diversified industry was +1.88%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.47%, and the average quarterly price growth was -26.28%.
Reported Earning Dates
APD is expected to report earnings on Nov 05, 2026.
HUN is expected to report earnings on Nov 02, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Chemicals: Specialty (+0.32% weekly)The specialty chemicals sector includes companies that produce chemicals and industrial gases, which are of relatively high-value, often made to customer specifications. Examples of specialty chemicals are electronic chemicals, industrial gases, coatings, adhesives and sealants, industrial and institutional cleaning chemicals. The products are often valued on the basis of their purposes/performances rather than for their composition. Linde Plc, Ecolab Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and Dow, Inc. are some of the largest companies making specialty chemicals.
@Chemicals: Major Diversified (+1.88% weekly)The major diversified chemicals industry includes companies that produce a wide range of chemicals and industrial gases. The products are often used as raw materials in the manufacturing of various types of goods, including plastics, paints, carpets, and fixtures to name a few. Major companies making diversified chemicals include DuPont de Nemours Inc., Celanese Corporation, Celanese Corporation and Westlake Chemical Corporation.
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APD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, APD has been loosely correlated with FUL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 52% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if APD jumps, then FUL could also see price increases.
HUN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HUN has been closely correlated with OLN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 78% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if HUN jumps, then OLN could also see price increases.