LyondellBasell Industries NV (LyondellBasell (LYB)) reported its first-quarter earnings Friday morning, and the numbers tell a story of a company navigating a world that's changed dramatically. The petrochemical giant beat profit expectations handily, even as revenue came in a bit light.

The company posted earnings of 49 cents per share, crushing the analyst consensus of 20 cents per share and improving on the 33 cents per share it earned in the same quarter last year. Sales, however, came in at $7.197 billion, missing the $7.323 billion analysts were looking for and down from $7.677 billion a year ago, according to market data.

The Middle East Is Rewriting the Rules

CEO Peter Vanacker didn't mince words about what's driving the industry's upheaval. He pointed directly to the war in the Middle East, saying it has "materially steepened" the global cost curve for petrochemicals — and that things aren't going back to the way they were anytime soon.

"The global cost curve for petrochemicals has materially steepened with the onset of war in the Middle East and is unlikely to revert to pre-war conditions anytime soon," Vanacker said. He added that the company is "moving decisively to fill global supply gaps."

Here's what's happening: Higher crude prices are driving up costs for naphtha-based petrochemicals. At the same time, the discounts that China and India used to enjoy have largely evaporated. Supply security concerns are cropping up across Asia and the Middle East, and the economic and logistical ripple effects are expected to linger. Elevated risk premiums on crude are here to stay, discounted sanctioned oil isn't coming back, and damaged infrastructure and supply chains could cause long-term disruptions.

Tight market conditions might persist, especially if temporary shutdowns become permanent and idle capacity isn't enough to fill the gaps. On the flip side, weaker discretionary demand could pose a downside risk.

LyondellBasell is positioning itself to benefit. Its U.S. Gulf Coast operations are leveraging cost advantages and strong export demand. In Europe, the company is passing through higher feedstock costs and increasing volumes to offset reduced imports.

Right-Sizing the Portfolio

The company isn't just reacting to the macro environment — it's also reshaping its own footprint. LyondellBasell is in the process of selling four European sites as part of a portfolio transformation. Management reported net income of $125 million, or $163 million excluding identified items. EBITDA came in at $568 million, or $615 million on an adjusted basis.

Cash and Capital Allocation

LyondellBasell is keeping its balance sheet in good shape. The company spent $269 million on capital expenditures and returned $224 million to shareholders through dividends. As of the end of the quarter, it had $2.6 billion in cash and $7.3 billion in total available liquidity.

Stock Price Action

LyondellBasell shares were unchanged at $74.60 during premarket trading on Friday, according to market data.