Publications
Publications
- February 2006 (Revised August 2006)
- HBS Case Collection
Kevin McCarthy and Westlake Chemical Corporation (A)
Abstract
Examines forecasting earnings/performance for a commodity chemical firm during a period of high uncertainty, highlighting the combined effects of input process (natural gas), industry capacity/utilization, and cyclicality. Assuming the role of Kevin McCarthy (the top chemical industry analyst in 2004), students must analyze macro, industry, and firm-level data to determine the future performance of this firm.
Keywords
Risk and Uncertainty; Futures and Commodity Futures; Forecasting and Prediction; Chemicals; Chemical Industry
Citation
Riedl, Edward J. "Kevin McCarthy and Westlake Chemical Corporation (A)." Harvard Business School Case 106-049, February 2006. (Revised August 2006.)