Lotte Chemical Titan jumps 30.65pct as parent reportedly revisits sale

Shares of Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd surged nearly 31 per cent in early trading on the Malaysian stock market, following reports that its South Korean parent company is considering selling its stake in the Malaysian petrochemical firm. The stock opened at 32 sen, a 3.23 per cent increase, before reaching a peak of 40.5 sen during the morning session.

By 9.50 am, Lotte Chemical Titan was priced at its three-month high of 38.5 sen, marking a 24.19 per cent increase and witnessing the highest trading volume of 22.2 million shares in over four months.

According to Malaysian news reports quoting the Korea Economic Daily, Lotte Chemical Corp, the parent entity listed on the Korea Exchange, is re-evaluating its plans to divest Lotte Chemical Titan. The firm holds approximately 75 per cent of the Bursa Malaysia-listed company and is said to be examining market conditions and potential acquirers. Lotte Chemical Titan is reportedly the primary candidate for sale, with the parent corporation assessing the situation and exploring suitable buyers.

The South Korean conglomerate is also contemplating a potential partial sale of its Indonesian petrochemical operations as it aims to diminish its stake in basic petrochemicals and broaden its focus towards higher-margin specialty materials. Lotte Chemical Titan has been operating at a loss for over four years, grappling with a prolonged downturn in the petrochemical sector.

In the first half of 2026, the company reported net losses of around RM297 million. Despite its recent surge, Lotte Chemical Titan's market capitalization stands at approximately RM842 million. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has decreased marginally by 2.53 per cent.