1145 GMT - Shares in European chemical companies fall after a closely watched sector indicator showed weakness. Jefferies' Global Chemical Monitor showed that momentum in chemical spreads--a key profit-driver for the sector--remains negative in January. European spreads--the difference between chemical prices and manufacturers' output--have been flat since November at around 1%, the report says. "Momentum remains weak into the start of the year, reinforcing the view that any recovery in spreads is not yet underway," Jefferies analysts write. French chemicals producer Arkema leads the sector down, falling 4.1%. Arkema, alongside Evonik Industries--down 3%--is most vulnerable to lower spreads, the analysts say. German companies Brenntag and BASF fall 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively, while Dutch chemicals distributor IMCD falls 3.55%. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 16, 2026 06:45 ET (11:45 GMT)

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