Stepan Company
NYSE: SCL · BASIC MATERIALS · SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
Updated 2026-06-05
Stepan Company (SCL) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for SCL.
Valued
Valuation reasonably reflects current fundamentals. Limited margin of safety at these levels.
SCL historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in SCL's own 5Y range.
SCL intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Standard discounted cash flow models produce unreliable output for unprofitable or near-breakeven companies. Revenue-based multiples such as P/S and EV/Sales, combined with the historical valuation position above, give a more reliable read for this stock.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
SCL valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 0.51x
Is SCL overvalued in 2026?
Stepan Company (SCL) currently trades at $51.92 per share with a market capitalization of $1,196,084,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock trades at a fair valuation with a Smart Value Score of 53/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
SCL currently has no meaningful P/E ratio, which typically signals that the company is unprofitable, near breakeven, or emerging from a loss-making period. With a P/S ratio of 0.5x, the market is valuing the company primarily on its revenue rather than its earnings.
Looking at its own history, SCL is currently trading cheaper than 100% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 0th percentile of its historical range, a level that has historically coincided with attractive entry points.
A standard DCF model does not produce reliable output for SCL under current conditions. For unprofitable or near-breakeven companies, revenue-based multiples such as EV/Sales and historical P/S percentile are more informative than intrinsic value calculations.
The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: SCL trades at a fair valuation on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 53/100. The valuation is defensible but offers no obvious bargain. Patience or a better entry price may reward disciplined buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is SCL overvalued?
SCL scores 53/100 on our Smart Value Score (Grade C), a mixed overall profile. A standard DCF is unreliable here given the profitability profile, so valuation leans on revenue-based measures like EV/Sales and the P/S percentile below.
What is SCL's fair value?
A standard DCF is unreliable for SCL given its current profitability profile. Revenue-based approaches like EV/Sales or the historical P/S percentile are more informative for this stock.
What P/E ratio does SCL trade at?
SCL does not have a meaningful P/E right now, usually a sign of unprofitability or an earnings transition. For unprofitable growth names, price-to-sales is the more useful gauge.
Is SCL a buy based on valuation?
Our Smart Value rating for SCL is Hold, from a Smart Value Score of 53/100 that blends growth, quality, and valuation. The profile is balanced and best suited to investors who already have a thesis. This is research to inform your decision, not personalized financial advice.
How does SCL's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, SCL sits in the 0th percentile of its own 5Y range, historically cheap relative to where it has traded. A low percentile means today's multiple is near the bottom of its historical band.
What is SCL's Smart Value Score?
SCL's Smart Value Score is 53/100. It is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation into a single 0-100 read, and scores above 75 are rare, signaling strong multi-factor alignment.