A Record Quarter for This Chemical Company

Continuing the trends from several high-profile chemical companies that released third-quarter results last week, Huntsman (NYS: HUN) displayed strength in nearly all aspects of its business over the past three months. Aside from the pigments division, which produces titanium dioxide, all others improved their earnings year over year. Natural gas prices are still propelling margins on the production of ethylene and other derivative chemicals higher in the United States, which has contributed to the recent surge by Hunstman and competitors Dow Chemical (NYS: DOW) , LyondellBasell (NYS: LYB) , and Westlake Chemical (NYS: WLK) .

Credit restructuring and cost-cutting measures have also helped contribute to these widening margins. Management plans on rolling the measures out through 2013 and has already helped the company improve its balance sheet. Using these record earnings, Huntsman generated $200 million in cash from operations and paid of $75 million in debt.

The movement toward alternative energy is gaining momentum. One potential opportunity in this field is Clean Energy Fuels, which focuses its natural gas efforts primarily on trucking and fleets. It's poised to make a big impact on an essential industry. Read all about Clean Energy Fuels in our brand-new report. Just click here to get started.

The article A Record Quarter for This Chemical Company originally appeared on Fool.com.

Joel South and Taylor Muckerman have no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Clean Energy Fuels. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Clean Energy Fuels. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.