Kronos Worldwide Stock Rallies 36% Year to Date on TiO2 Demand and Cost Cuts

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Kronos Worldwide shares have surged 36.2% this year, outpacing the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry's 17.6% gain and the S&P 500's 9.4% rise. The company is benefiting from long-term titanium dioxide demand growth of 2-3% annually, with first-quarter TiO2 sales volumes up roughly 4% year over year to 142 thousand metric tons, driven by higher volumes in North America, Latin America, and export markets. Cost-reduction actions, pricing initiatives, and restructuring efforts are expected to support margins, though higher shipping and production costs tied to Middle East supply disruptions and elevated energy and raw material costs in Europe pose headwinds. Kronos ended the first quarter with cash and restricted cash of $33.6 million and roughly $287 million in borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility, and it plans capital spending of around $60 million in 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is a loss of 33 cents per share, implying a 65.6% year-over-year improvement, with earnings expected to grow roughly 151.5% in 2027, and the stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.34, below the industry average of 0.91.

Impact on stocks 3

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Materials▲ · 1 stocks
Kronos Worldwide Inc
KRO
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TiO2 sales volumes up 4% year over year on higher demand in North America, Latin America, and export markets.

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