Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Kronos Worldwide

Kronos Worldwide Inc manufactures and sells titanium dioxide pigments. Titanium dioxide is a white inorganic pigment used in a variety of products. The majority of Kronos' sales come from titanium dioxide used for coatings on automobiles, aircraft, machines, appliances, traffic paint, and in both commercial and residential interiors and exteriors. The second-largest product category is titanium dioxide used for plastics such as packaging materials and food packaging, houseware, appliances, toys, and computer cases. The majority of revenue comes from the United States.

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HWKN

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: KRO) is expected to benefit from higher demand for titanium dioxide (TiO2) and easing pricing pressure this year. Cost-reduction initiatives are also expected to support margins.

Here&#39;s Why You Should Buy Kronos Worldwide Stock Right Now

Technicals

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE: KRO) has been beaten down lately with too much selling pressure.

Kronos Worldwide Loses -19.23% in 4 Weeks, Here&#39;s Why a Trend Reversal May be Around the Corner

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) logged a profit of $183 million or 72 cents per share for second-quarter 2024, down from a profit of $477 million or $1.89 per share in the year-ago quarter.

U.S. Steel&#39;s Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates in Q2

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Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) reported quarterly sales of $484.70 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $569.54 million by 14.90 percent. This is a 22.12 percent increase over sales of $396.90 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

Kronos Worldwide Q3 Sales $484.70M Miss $569.54M Estimate

Barclays analyst Michael Leithead maintains Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) with a Underweight and raises the price target from $9 to $10.

Price Target

Barclays Maintains Underweight on Kronos Worldwide, Raises Price Target to $10

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>) is expected to benefit from higher demand for titanium dioxide (TiO2) and easing pricing pressure this year. Cost-reduction initiatives are also expected to support margins.
We are positive about KRO&#39;s prospects and believe that the time is right for you to add the stock to your portfolio as it looks promising and is poised to carry the momentum ahead.
Let&#39;s take a look into the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock a compelling choice for investors right now.
<h2>Kronos Worldwide&#39;s Stock Outperforms Industry</h2>
KRO has outperformed the industry it belongs to over the past year. The company&#39;s shares have rallied 32.8% compared with a 9.6% decline of the industry.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/6e/77269.jpg?v=1616124123" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h2>Solid Earnings Growth Prospects for KRO</h2>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2024 for Kronos Worldwide is currently pegged at 88 cents, reflecting an expected year-over-year growth of 304.7%. Earnings are also expected to register a 288.9% growth in third-quarter 2024.
<h2>KRO&#39;s Earnings Estimates Northbound</h2>
Earnings estimates for KRO have been going up over the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 has increased by 3.5%. The consensus estimate for the third quarter has also been revised 9.7% upward over the same time frame. The favorable estimate revisions instill investor confidence in the stock.
<h2>Higher TiO2 Demand, Cost Actions Aid Kronos Worldwide</h2>
Kronos is well-positioned to gain from higher demand for TiO2 in major markets. Per the company, TiO2 consumption has increased at a compound annual growth rate of around 2% since 2000. Western Europe and North America account for roughly 14% and 15% of global TiO2 consumption, respectively. These regions are expected to continue to be the biggest consumers of TiO2. Markets for TiO2 are growing in South America, Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific region and China.
The company expects sales volumes in 2024 to exceed 2023 levels factoring in the recently experienced improved demand and expectations that demand will continue to improve this year.
Kronos Worldwide is also taking actions to reduce costs and align production and inventories to expected demand levels, which are expected to support its margins. It has increased its production rates in sync with current and expected near-term demand improvement. It expects its production rates for the balance of 2024 to be higher than the level witnessed in 2023.
The company&#39;s internal cost initiatives are also expected to continue to support margins in 2024. Reduced energy costs along with its cost-cutting initiatives and the realization of selling price increases are likely to result in improved margins on a year-over-year basis this year. The company has undertaken TiO2 selling price hikes, which need to be sustained to attain margins in line with historical levels. KRO expects to report higher operating results on a year-over-year basis for full-year 2024 based on the expected improved demand, higher selling prices and reduced production costs.
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<h3>Kronos Worldwide Inc Price and Consensus</h3>
<img alt="Kronos Worldwide Inc Price and Consensus" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/76/1726047534.png" style="height:265px; width:580px" title="" />
Kronos Worldwide Inc price-consensus-chart | Kronos Worldwide Inc Quote
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<h2>Stocks to Consider</h2>
Other top-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are, Hawkins, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hwkn#NASDAQ">HWKN</a>), IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iag#NYSE">IAG</a>) and Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ego#NYSE">EGO</a>), each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hawkins&#39; current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at $4.14, indicating a rise of 15.3% from year-ago levels. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN&#39;s current fiscal-year earnings has increased 12.8% in the past 60 days. The stock has rallied around 103% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for IAMGOLD&#39;s current-year earnings has increased by 46.4% in the past 60 days. IAG beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters with the average surprise being 200%. Its shares have shot up 111% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Eldorado Gold&#39;s current year earnings is pegged at $1.35 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 136.8%. EGO beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 430.3%. The company&#39;s shares have rallied roughly 69% in the past year.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2334557/here-s-why-you-should-buy-kronos-worldwide-stock-right-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2334557">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Here's Why You Should Buy Kronos Worldwide Stock Right Now

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.15 by 13.33 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $500.50 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $543.12 million by 7.85 percent. This is a 12.93 percent increase over sales of $443.20 million the same period last year.

Kronos Worldwide Q2 2024 Adj EPS $0.17 Beats $0.15 Estimate, Sales $500.50M Miss $543.12M Estimate

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>) has been beaten down lately with too much selling pressure. While the stock has lost 19.2% over the past four weeks, there is light at the end of the tunnel as it is now in oversold territory and Wall Street analysts expect the company to report better earnings than they predicted earlier.
<h2>How to Determine if a Stock is Oversold</h2>
We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements.
RSI oscillates between zero and 100. Usually, a stock is considered oversold when its RSI reading falls below 30.
Technically, every stock oscillates between being overbought and oversold irrespective of the quality of their fundamentals. And the beauty of RSI is that it helps you quickly and easily check if a stock&#39;s price is reaching a point of reversal.
So, by this measure, if a stock has gotten too far below its fair value just because of unwarranted selling pressure, investors may start looking for entry opportunities in the stock for benefitting from the inevitable rebound.
However, like every investing tool, RSI has its limitations, and should not be used alone for making an investment decision.
<h2>Why KRO Could Bounce Back Before Long</h2>
The RSI reading of 29.59 for KRO is an indication that the heavy selling could be in the process of exhausting itself, so the stock could bounce back in a quest for reaching the old equilibrium of supply and demand.
<img alt="3-month RSI Chart for KRO" class="chart" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/yseop/544/KRO_RCI14.jpeg" style="height:auto; width:100%" title="" />
The RSI value is not the only factor that indicates a potential turnaround for the stock in the near term. On the fundamental side, there has been strong agreement among the sell-side analysts covering the stock in raising earnings estimates for the current year. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for KRO has increased 13.4%. And an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.
Moreover, KRO currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. This is a more conclusive indication of the stock&#39;s potential turnaround in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2316896/kronos-worldwide-kro-loses-19-23-in-4-weeks-here-s-why-a-trend-reversal-may-be-around-the-corner?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|rsi-2316896">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Kronos Worldwide Loses -19.23% in 4 Weeks, Here's Why a Trend Reversal May be Around the Corner

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/x#NYSE">X</a>) logged a profit of $183 million or 72 cents per share for second-quarter 2024, down from a profit of $477 million or $1.89 per share in the year-ago quarter.
Barring one-time items, adjusted earnings per share were 84 cents, down from $1.92 a year ago. The figure, however, topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents.
Revenues fell around 18% year over year to $4,118 million in the reported quarter. The figure, however, surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,998.2 million.
The company reported a total shipment of 3,591,000 tons for the reported quarter, down around 9% year over year. It was below our estimate of 3,744,000 tons. The company faced pricing headwinds across its segments during the reported quarter.
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<h3>United States Steel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise</h3>
<img alt="United States Steel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/ea/1722591063.png" style="height:265px; width:576px" title="" />
United States Steel Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | United States Steel Corporation Quote
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<h3>Segment Highlights</h3>
Flat-Rolled: The segment recorded a profit of $183 million in the reported quarter, down around 21% from the year-ago quarter.
Steel shipments in the segment went down roughly 9% year over year to 2,045,000 tons. The average realized price per ton in the unit was $1,051, down around 3% year over year. It was below our estimate of $1,056.
Mini Mill: The segment recorded a profit of $28 million in the quarter, down around 79% year over year. Shipments were 562,000 tons, down around 4% year over year. The average realized price per ton was $869, down around 14% year over year. It was above our estimate of $798.
U.S. Steel Europe: The segment posted a loss of $10 million in the reported quarter. This compares to a profit of $72 million a year ago. Shipments fell roughly 15% year over year to 875,000 tons. The average realized price per ton for the unit was $821, down around 15% year over year. It was below our estimate of $829.
Tubular:&nbsp; The segment posted a profit of $29 million in the reported quarter, down roughly 82% year over year. Shipments fell roughly 2% to 109,000 tons. The average realized price per ton for the unit was $2,108, down nearly 40% year over year. It was above our estimate of $2,004.
<h3>Financials</h3>
At the end of the quarter, the company&#39;s cash and cash equivalents were $2,031 million, down around 9% from the previous quarter&#39;s levels. Long-term debt was $4,078 million, flat sequentially.
<h3>Outlook</h3>
Moving ahead, X expects adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter in the band of $275-$325 million factoring in recent pricing dynamics, which continues to impact its business. It expects the results in the North American Flat-Rolled segment to soften modestly as reduced spot prices more than offset continued strength in contract order book and lower spending. In the Mini Mill segment, X sees results to reflect lower spot prices and $30 million of associated start-up and one-time construction costs ahead of the planned start-up of Big River 2 in the fourth quarter.
The results in the Europe unit are forecast to be consistent with the second quarter as lower selling prices are largely offset by reduced raw material costs. The company expects lower results in the Tubular segment in the third quarter due to reduced selling prices.
Moreover, U.S. Steel continues to progress toward completing the transaction with Nippon Steel Corporation later this year.
<h3>Price Performance</h3>
The company&#39;s shares have rallied 67.6% in the past year compared with the industry&#39;s 12.6% decline.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/51/73182.jpg?v=823218616" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
X currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Kronos Worldwide, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>), Ashland Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ash#NYSE">ASH</a>) and Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hl#NYSE">HL</a>), each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Kronos is expected to report second-quarter results on Aug 7. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRO&#39;s second-quarter earnings is pegged at 21 cents. The company&#39;s shares have rallied roughly 33% in the past year.&nbsp;
Ashland is slated to report fiscal third-quarter results on Aug 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASH&#39;s third-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.47. The company&#39;s shares have gained roughly 7% in the past year.&nbsp;
Hecla is slated to report second-quarter results on Aug 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hecla&#39;s second-quarter earnings is pegged at a penny per share. The stock has gained nearly 2% in the past year.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2315087/u-s-steel-s-x-earnings-and-revenues-surpass-estimates-in-q2?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_article-2315087">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

U.S. Steel's Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates in Q2

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) (the &quot;Company&quot;) announced today that it is seeking to raise debt capital through a private offering of &euro;75 million aggregate principal amount of additional&nbsp;9.50%&nbsp;Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the &quot;Notes&quot;) by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kronos International, Inc. (&quot;KII&quot;). The Notes are being offered as additional notes to the existing &euro;276,174,000 aggregate principal amount of&nbsp;9.50%&nbsp;Senior Secured Notes due 2029 that KII issued on February 12, 2024 (the &quot;Existing Notes&quot;). Other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price, the Notes will have the same terms as the Existing Notes. The Notes will be maintained under the same ISIN and Common Code numbers as the Existing Notes, except that the Notes issued pursuant to Regulation&nbsp;S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &quot;Securities Act&quot;), will trade separately under different ISIN and Common Code numbers until 40 days after the issue date of the Notes, but thereafter, the Notes issued pursuant to Regulation&nbsp;S will be maintained under the same ISIN and Common Code numbers as the Existing Notes issued pursuant to Regulation S.

Offerings

Kronos Worldwide Seeks to Raise €75M Through Additional Senior Secured Notes

WIIM

Kronos Worldwide shares are trading lower after the company issued weak Q2 guidance.

Kronos Worldwide Shares Resume Trade

Guidance

Kronos Worldwide Expects To Report Net Sales For Q2 Of 2024 In Range Of $495M-$510M Vs $568.02M Est.; Throughout 2023, Kronos Implemented Cost Reduction Initiatives Designed To Improve Its Long-Term Cost Structure; Expects Sales Volumes In 2024 To Exceed 2023 Sales Volumes; Expects To Recognize Non-Cash Charges About $10M In Q2 And About $5M In Q3; Expects Sales Volumes In 2024 To Exceed 2023 Sales Volumes

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Effective July 16, 2024, Kronos Worldwide, Inc. ("Kronos") has acquired the 50% joint venture interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. ("LPC") previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. Prior to the acquisition, Kronos, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC. Following the acquisition, LPC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Kronos. Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest that it did not already own for an upfront cash payment of $185 million (subject to working capital adjustments) and a potential earn-out payment of up to $15 million based on Kronos' aggregate consolidated net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA, during a two-year period comprising calendar years 2025 and 2026.
In connection with its acquisition of the 50% joint venture interest and to support Kronos' general liquidity needs, Kronos has also completed an amendment to its $225 million global revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo. Among other things, the amendment increases the maximum borrowing amount from $225 million to $300 million, extends the maturity date to 2029 and expands the facility to include LPC and LPC's receivables and certain of its inventories in the borrowing base.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Kronos' board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of five cents ($0.05) per share on its common stock, a decrease of fourteen cents ($0.14) per share as compared to the second quarter of 2024, payable on September 19, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 6, 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp; Commenting on the dividend Mr. Buch said, "The reduced dividend rate will allow Kronos to focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet while continuing to evaluate strategic investment opportunities. In addition to strengthening liquidity and providing the flexibility to absorb increased debt service costs, working capital needs and capital improvements from the acquisition of the 50% interest in the LPC joint venture, the new dividend rate will give Kronos an opportunity to focus on reducing leverage. Going forward we will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of the dividend based on progress towards these priorities, results of operations and other relevant factors."

Dividends

Financing

Kronos Worldwide Acquires 50% Joint Venture Interest In Louisiana Pigment Company For An Upfront Cash Payment Of $185M; Amends $225M Revolving Credit Facility; Decreases Quarterly Dividend From $0.19 To $0.05 Per Share

Kronos Worldwide Shares Halted, News Pending

DuPont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dd#NYSE">DD</a>) announced that its Tyvek production facility at the Spruance manufacturing plant in Richmond has achieved certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS).
The Spruance site is the second DuPont location to obtain ISCC certification, following the Luxembourg manufacturing plant in November 2023. This achievement illustrates DuPont&#39;s commitment to advancing its sustainability goals and developing capabilities to deliver Tyvek products derived from sustainable raw materials globally.
Completing the ISCC PLUS certification of global Tyvek product capabilities is a significant step toward improving the company&#39;s climate and circular economy sustainability objectives. ISCC PLUS certification verifies a product&#39;s sustainability across the whole supply chain, from raw material sourcing to manufacture and distribution, employing the mass balance approach in a robust, transparent and credible manner.
One of the primary aspects of ISCC PLUS certification is that it enables the decrease of product carbon footprint and the gradual substitution of fossil fuel-based raw materials with more sustainable alternatives, all while fostering the transition to a more circular economy.
Tyvek products safeguard and improve the lives of millions of people in the end markets that the company serves, which include healthcare packaging, personal protection, construction and a wide range of consumer and industrial uses. DuPont&#39;s global integration of ISCC PLUS certification into Tyvek production coincides with the company&#39;s commitment to empowering clients on their road to net zero emissions.
Shares of DuPont have gained 10.1% over the past year against a 10.3% decline of its industry.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/56/70856.jpg?v=1221383548" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DuPont, on its first-quarter call, revised its financial outlook for 2024, increasing its projections for net sales, operating EBITDA and adjusted EPS. The company anticipates full-year 2024 net sales to be approximately $12.25 billion, operating EBITDA to be about $2.975 billion and adjusted EPS to be around $3.60 per share, based on the mid-point of the updated guidance.
For the second quarter of 2024, DuPont expects a sequential improvement in sales and earnings, attributed to favorable seasonal factors, continued recovery in the electronics sector and a decline in channel inventory destocking across industrial-based end-markets such as water and medical packaging.
For the second half of 2024, the company expects year-over-year sales and earnings growth, driven by ongoing recovery in the electronics market and a return to volume growth in the Water &amp; Protection segment.
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
DD currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include Carpenter Technology Corporation, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ecl#NYSE">ECL</a>) and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>).
Carpenter Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 15.1%. The company&#39;s shares have soared 94.2% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ecolab&#39;s current-year earnings is pegged at $6.59 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26.5%. ECL, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 1.3%. The company&#39;s shares have rallied roughly 31.9% in the past year.
Kronos Worldwide currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. KRO has a projected earnings growth rate of 297.7% for the current year. The company&#39;s shares have rallied around 37.3% in the past year.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298992/dupont-dd-tyvek-richmond-facility-gets-iscc-certification?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_corporate_actions-2298992">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

DuPont Tyvek Richmond Facility Gets ISCC+ Certification

Yara International ASA&#39;s (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/yariy#OTC">YARIY</a>) division Yara Clean Ammonia, Scatec ASA and its partners Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (&quot;ECHEM&quot;) and Misr Fertilizers Production Company (&quot;MOPCO&quot;) have reached a deal on the terms of renewable ammonia offtake from Egypt. Scatec, ECHEM and MOPCO signed a joint development and shareholder agreement last year to produce renewable ammonia.
The sponsors will design and build up to 480 MW of renewable energy, as well as a 240 MW electrolyzer facility for producing renewable hydrogen, which will be utilized as feedstock for MOPCO&#39;s existing ammonia production facility in Damietta, Egypt. The target production capacity is up to 150,000 tons of renewable ammonia per year. Scatec also signed a letter of intent with the European Investment Bank (&quot;EIB&quot;) to secure long-term funding for the project, demonstrating EIB&#39;s commitment to supporting renewable hydrogen and ammonia projects in Egypt.
This project will bolster Yara Clean Ammonia&#39;s renewable ammonia sourcing portfolio and demonstrate its position as the most desired off-taker as the world&#39;s leading ammonia trader and distributor. The renewable ammonia from this project will allow it to reliably serve its customers across several markets.
The green transition depends on enabling industry to use renewable energy, EIB noted. Accelerating renewable hydrogen generation in Egypt can boost business competitiveness and create prospects for exporting renewable hydrogen. EIB is looking forward to working with Scatec and project partners to unleash large-scale renewable hydrogen investment in Egypt.
Shares of Yara have lost 25.3% over the past year compared with a 23.9% decline of its industry.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/51/70717.jpg?v=811961674" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
Yara currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include Carpenter Technology Corporation, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ecl#NYSE">ECL</a>) and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>).
Carpenter Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 15.1%. The company&#39;s shares have soared 93.2% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ecolab&#39;s current-year earnings is pegged at $6.59 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26.5%. ECL, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 1.3%. The company&#39;s shares have rallied roughly 32.3% in the past year.
Kronos Worldwide currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. KRO has a projected earnings growth rate of 297.7% for the current year. The company&#39;s shares have rallied around 42% in the past year.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298333/yara-yariy-and-scatec-ink-renewable-ammonia-offtake-deal?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_corporate_actions-2298333">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

YARIY

Yara and Scatec Ink Renewable Ammonia Offtake Deal

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, even when markets are at all-time highs, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/yield-investments">high dividend payout</a>. 
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">by analyst accuracy</a>.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the materials sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 6.02%</li>
<li>Deutsche Bank analyst David Begleiter maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $12 to $15 on May 28. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Duffy Fischer maintained a Sell rating and increased the price target from $9 to $11 on May 16. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On May 8, Kronos Worldwide posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed</a> alerted to latest KRO's news</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="677" height="750" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224755/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.47.49-AM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-417478" style="width:431px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224755/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.47.49-AM.png 677w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224755/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.47.49-AM-271x300.png 271w" sizes="(max-width: 677px) 100vw, 677px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUN#NYSE">HUN</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.42%</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas upgraded the stock from Underweight to Overweight and raised the price target from $22 to $27 on June 7. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Duffy Fischer maintained a Sell rating and increased the price target from $25 to $28 on March 5. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On May 2, Huntsman posted weak quarterly sales.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's charting tool helped identify the <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">trend in HUN's stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="689" height="747" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224831/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.48.24-AM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-417479" style="width:492px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224831/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.48.24-AM.png 689w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224831/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.48.24-AM-277x300.png 277w" sizes="(max-width: 689px) 100vw, 689px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FMC Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMC#NYSE">FMC</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.17%</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $53 to $50 on May 13. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Keybanc analyst Aleksey Yefremov maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $79 to $81 on May 8. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Recent News: FMC said it will release its second quarter 2024 earnings on Wednesday, July 31, after the closing bell.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's signals feature notified of a potential <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">breakout in FMC's shares</a>.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent070324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="670" height="751" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224911/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.49.05-AM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-417480" style="width:539px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224911/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.49.05-AM.png 670w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02224911/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-9.49.05-AM-268x300.png 268w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></figure>
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVF0O2lsEH4">How to Find Dividend Stocks: Scan, Analyze, and Capture with Benzinga Pro</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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</figure>

Pre-Market Outlook

Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Weigh In On 3 Materials Stocks With Over 4% Dividend Yields

The chemical industry is poised to benefit from an uptick in demand in certain key markets, including consumer durables and building &amp; construction, as the unprecedented customer inventory de-stocking that started in late 2022 and plagued the industry through the first quarter of 2024 is largely complete. 
In addition to the expected demand rebound, strategic measures, including operating cost reduction and price hike actions along with declining raw material costs, bode well for the industry. Stocks like DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dd#NYSE">DD</a>), Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/axta#NYSE">AXTA</a>), Cabot Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cbt#NYSE">CBT</a>) and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>) are good choices for investment as they are expected to benefit from the demand upturn. 
The chemical space bore the brunt of the demand slowdown in certain major markets in 2023, which continued through first-quarter 2024. The downturn in the building &amp; construction market and the de-stocking in consumer electronics played spoilsport, leading to demand destruction in these key markets. In North America, uncertainties surrounding the U.S. housing market weighed on building &amp; construction. Notably, the housing market bore the brunt of interest rate hikes last year. The demand slowdown in industrial and consumer durables hurt the volumes of chemical companies. 
Lower consumer spending due to inflationary pressures in Europe and a slow recovery in China also impacted demand. Moreover, a slower recovery in economic activities in China following the lifting of the restrictions related to the resurgence in COVID-19 infections hurt chemical demand in that country. The slowdown in Europe, resulting from the war in Ukraine and weaker consumer spending due to high levels of inflation, led to softer demand in that region. The energy and feedstock inflation resulted in reduced industrial production and consumer spending in Europe. 
Nevertheless, customer inventory de-stocking has largely ended, leading to low inventory levels. This should result in an uptick in chemical demand and volumes, with a meaningful improvement expected in the second half of 2024. The de-stocking was primarily driven by high inflation and the lingering impacts of the pandemic that affected customer spending. 
Demand for chemicals in the automotive market has picked up, aided by an uptick in automotive production on an improved supply of semiconductors. The resolution to the six-week United Auto Workers strike also led to a rebound in chemical demand in automotive. Moreover, chemical companies are seeing a recovery in demand across the construction and electronics markets. Demand in healthcare and packaging markets also remains steady. 
Moderating raw material and energy costs driven by the easing of supply-chain disruptions is also expected to act as a tailwind. Meanwhile, industrial production is picking up pace in China on a recovery in external demand, underscoring improving conditions in the world&#39;s second-largest economy. However, the recovery in domestic demand in China remains slow due to the protracted crisis in real estate. Easing inflation on a decline in energy prices is also likely to support demand recovery in Europe.&nbsp;
<h3>4 Chemical Stocks Worth a Bet</h3>
A rebound in end-market demand, moderating raw material and energy costs, and the absence of customer inventory destocking augur well for the chemical industry. 
We highlight the following four stocks with a solid Zacks Rank that are good options for investment right now. Our research shows that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer good investment opportunities. 
DuPont: Delaware-based DuPont is benefiting from innovation-driven investment focused on several high-growth areas. It remains focused on driving growth through innovation and new product development. The acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group has also strengthened DuPont&#39;s position in stable and fast-growing healthcare end markets. DuPont is also benefiting from cost synergy savings and productivity improvement actions. Its planned separation into three independent, publicly traded companies is also expected to drive significant growth opportunities. 
DuPont, sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has expected earnings growth of 4.3% for 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DD&#39;s earnings for 2024 has been revised upward by 4.3% over the last 60 days. It beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters at an average of roughly 9%. 
Axalta Coating Systems: Pennsylvania-based Axalta is benefiting from the strength in refinish and light vehicle businesses, which is offsetting the weakness in industrial markets. The acquisition of CoverFlexx Group will enhance Axalta&#39;s refinish business by incorporating CoverFlexx&#39;s extensive range of automotive refinish and aftermarket coatings, including primers, basecoats, clearcoats and various detailing products. Axalta has also strategically expanded its portfolio by acquiring Andre Koch AG, a well-established Refinish distribution partner headquartered in Switzerland. Moreover, AXTA has raised its full-year 2024 earnings and free cash flow outlook based on strong first-quarter results and strategic actions to drive earnings. 
Axalta, carrying a Zacks Rank #1, has expected earnings growth of 26.8% for 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AXTA&#39;s 2024 earnings has been revised upward by 5.9% over the last 60 days. 
Cabot: Massachusetts-based Cabot is seeing strong results in its Reinforcement Materials segment driven by higher volumes in Asia and Europe, pricing and mix improvements, and the strength in the replacement tire market. Demand in the Performance Chemicals unit has also improved as de-stocking has ended. CBT&#39;s strong cash generation also facilitates a balanced capital allocation approach that emphasizes strategic investments, long-term earnings growth and shareholder returns while preserving a solid investment-grade balance sheet. 
Cabot, a Zacks Rank #2 stock, has expected earnings growth of 26% for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CBT&#39;s earnings for fiscal 2024 has been revised upward by 3% over the last 60 days. 
Kronos Worldwide: Texas-based Kronos is expected to gain from higher demand for titanium dioxide (TiO2). Stronger demand for TiO2 in primary markets of Europe and North America is likely to drive its sales volumes. KRO is also expected to benefit from easing pricing pressure. Reduced energy costs, along with cost-reduction initiatives are expected to support margins. 
Kronos Worldwide, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has expected earnings growth of 297.7% for 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRO&#39;s earnings for 2024 has been revised upward by 157.6% over the last 60 days.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2288317/4-top-chemical-stocks-to-buy-as-destocking-has-run-its-course?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|investment_ideas-2288317">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

AXTA

4 Top Chemical Stocks to Buy As Destocking Has Run Its Course

Momentum investing is essentially the opposite of the tried-and-tested Wall Street adage -- &quot;buy low and sell high.&quot; Investors following this investing style typically avoid betting on cheap stocks and waiting long for them to recover. They believe instead that one could make far more money in lesser time by &quot;buying high and selling higher.&quot;
Everyone likes betting on fast-moving trending stocks, but it isn&#39;t easy to determine the right entry point. These stocks often lose momentum when their future growth potential fails to justify their swelled-up valuation. In that phase, investors find themselves invested in shares that have limited to no upside or even a downside. So, betting on a stock just by looking at the traditional momentum parameters could be risky at times.
A safer approach could be investing in bargain stocks with recent price momentum. While the Zacks Momentum Style Score&nbsp;helps identify great momentum stocks by paying close attention to trends in a stock&#39;s price or earnings, our &#39;Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain&#39; screen comes handy in spotting fast-moving stocks that are still attractively priced.
Kronos Worldwide (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kro#NYSE">KRO</a>) is one of the several great candidates that made it through the screen. While there are numerous reasons why this stock is a great choice, here are the most vital ones:
A dash of recent price momentum reflects growing interest of investors in a stock. With a four-week price change of 19.5%, the stock of this maker of titanium dioxide pigments is certainly well-positioned in this regard.
While any stock can see a spike in price for a short period, it takes a real momentum player to deliver positive returns for a longer time frame. KRO meets this criterion too, as the stock gained 61.7% over the past 12 weeks.
Moreover, the momentum for KRO is fast paced, as the stock currently has a beta of 1.21. This indicates that the stock moves 21% higher than the market in either direction.
Given this price performance, it is no surprise that KRO has a Momentum Score of A, which indicates that this is the right time to enter the stock to take advantage of the momentum with the highest probability of success.
In addition to a favorable Momentum Score, an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions has helped KRO earn a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Our research shows that the momentum-effect is quite strong among Zacks Rank #1 and #2 stocks. That&#39;s because as covering analysts raise their earnings estimates for a stock, more and more investors take an interest in it, helping its price race to keep up.
Most importantly, despite possessing fast-paced momentum features, KRO is trading at a reasonable valuation. In terms of Price-to-Sales ratio, which is considered as one of the best valuation metrics, the stock looks quite cheap now. KRO is currently trading at 0.94 times its sales. In other words, investors need to pay only 94 cents for each dollar of sales.
So, KRO appears to have plenty of room to run, and that too at a fast pace.
In addition to KRO, there are several other stocks that currently pass through our &#39;Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain&#39; screen. You may consider investing in them and start looking for the newest stocks that fit these criteria.
However, keep in mind that the key to a successful stock-picking strategy is to ensure that it produced profitable results in the past.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2281160/kronos-worldwide-kro-shows-fast-paced-momentum-but-is-still-a-bargain-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|fast_paced_momentum_at_a_bargain-2281160">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Kronos Worldwide Shows Fast-Paced Momentum But Is Still a Bargain Stock

Deutsche Bank analyst David Begleiter maintains Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $12 to $15.

Deutsche Bank Maintains Buy on Kronos Worldwide, Raises Price Target to $15

In the preceding three months, 4 analysts have released ratings for Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Kronos Worldwide, revealing an average target of $9.25, a high estimate of $11.00, and a low estimate of $8.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 15.62% increase from the previous average price target of $8.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1715875230_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Kronos Worldwide is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Duffy Fischer</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$11.00</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Leithead</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Leithead</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Duffy Fischer</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Kronos Worldwide. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Kronos Worldwide compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Kronos Worldwide's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Kronos Worldwide's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KRO/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Kronos Worldwide analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Delving into Kronos Worldwide's Background</h2>
Kronos Worldwide Inc manufactures and sells titanium dioxide pigments. Titanium dioxide is a white inorganic pigment used in a variety of products. The majority of Kronos' sales come from titanium dioxide used for coatings on automobiles, aircraft, machines, appliances, traffic paint, and in both commercial and residential interiors and exteriors. The second-largest product category is titanium dioxide used for plastics such as packaging materials and food packaging, houseware, appliances, toys, and computer cases. The majority of revenue comes from the United States.
<h3>Financial Insights: Kronos Worldwide</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Kronos Worldwide showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 12.32% as of 31 March, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Materials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 1.69%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 1.02%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Kronos Worldwide's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 0.46% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Kronos Worldwide's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.58, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About Kronos Worldwide Stock

Goldman Sachs analyst Duffy Fischer maintains Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRO#NYSE">KRO</a>) with a Sell and raises the price target from $9 to $11.

Goldman Sachs Maintains Sell on Kronos Worldwide, Raises Price Target to $11

Warning: KRO is at high risk of cutting its dividend

Kronos Worldwide ( ($KRO) ) has provided an announcement. Kronos Worldwide, Inc., a leading global producer of titanium dioxide products, has decla...

Kronos Worldwide Declares Quarterly Dividend for 2024

KRONOS Worldwide declares $0.05 dividend

Reports Q3 revenue $484.7M, consensus $569.54M. The company said, "Net income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 compared...

Kronos Worldwide reports Q3 EPS 62c, consensus 25c

KRONOS Worldwide GAAP EPS of $0.62, revenue of $484.7M misses by $79.05M

Kronos Worldwide ( ($KRO) ) has released its Q3 earnings. Here is a breakdown of the information Kronos Worldwide presented to its investors. Krono...

Kronos Worldwide Reports Strong Third Quarter Turnaround

The demand for specialty chemicals has surged owing to increased industrial production, creating a promising opportunity for investors. To capitalize on the industry's growth, investors could consider adding fundamentally solid specialty chemicals stocks, Kronos (KRO), PPG Industries (PPG), and Kuraray Co. (KURRY) to their portfolios. Read on… Specialty chemicals are seeing a surge in demand as industries ramp up their needs. Key sectors like electronics, construction, automotive, and pharmaceuticals are driving this growth, fueling the rise in demand. As a result, the chemical industry is poised for stronger, more promising growth opportunities ahead.
Amid this backdrop, investors could scoop up shares of specialty chemical companies,  Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KRO/">KRO</a>), PPG Industries, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PPG/">PPG</a>), and Kuraray Co., Ltd. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KURRY/">KURRY</a>). These stocks are well-positioned to benefit from increased industrial demand and bolster significant growth.
As industries like electronics, construction, automotive, and pharmaceuticals boom globally, the demand for chemicals in manufacturing is also skyrocketing. A report by TechNavio reveals that the specialty chemicals market is set to grow by $368.2 million by 2028 at <a href="https://www.technavio.com/report/specialty-chemicals-market-industry-analysis">an impressive 6.8% CAGR</a>, driving major benefits for the sector.
Most of this growth is due to the rising demand from the agrochemical sector for the usage of specialty chemicals as inputs for producing high-performance pesticides and fertilizers and, in the construction industry, for the use of specialty chemicals as additives and performance enhancers in concrete and other building materials.
Furthermore, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) predicts global chemical production will <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/oil-and-gas/chemical-industry-outlook.html">grow by 3.4% in 2024</a> and 3.5% in 2025, fueled by this increased demand.
Now, let us dive deep into the fundamentals of three <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/chemicals/">Chemicals</a> stocks, starting with #3.
Stock #3: Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KRO/">KRO</a>)
KRO produces and markets value-added titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2). These pigments are used in coatings, plastics, paper, and specialty products like inks, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The company offers over 50 different TiO2 pigment grades and manufactures iron-based chemicals and specialty chemicals.
On July 17, KRO <a href="https://kronosworldwideinc.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kronos-worldwide-inc-announces-acquisition-joint-venture">announced its acquisition</a> of the remaining 50% interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P., where it previously held a 50% stake. The acquisition provides a unique opportunity for KRO to enhance customer value and strengthen its service to the North American market.
For the fiscal 2024 third quarter that ended September 30, KRO's <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/netsales.asp">net sales</a> increased 22.1% year-over-year to $484.70 million. Its income from operations came in at $38.90 million, compared to a loss of $25.30 million in the prior year's quarter.
Additionally, the company's net income and net income per share amounted to $71.80 million and $0.62, compared to a net loss and loss per share of $20.40 million and $0.18 in the previous year's quarter, respectively.
Analysts expect KRO's revenue and EPS for the fiscal year ending December 2025 to increase 4.1% and 41% year-over-year to $2.32 billion and $0.97, respectively.
Shares of KRO have surged 36.3% over the past nine months and 41.1% over the past year to close the last trading session at $11.71.
KRO's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect its sound fundamentals. The stock has an overall rating of B, which equates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
KRO has an A grade for Growth and a B for Value. In the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/chemicals/">Chemicals</a> industry, it is ranked #13 out of 80 stocks.
In addition to the POWR Rating highlighted above, you can check KRO's ratings for Stability, Quality, Momentum, and Sentiment <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KRO/">here</a>.
Stock #2: PPG Industries, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PPG/">PPG</a>)
PPG is involved in the manufacture and distribution of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. The company's two operational segments include: Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. Its brand offerings include PPG, GLIDDEN, COMEX, OLYMPIC, DULUX, SIGMA, HISTOR etc.
On November 18, PPG <a href="https://investor.ppg.com/news/news-details/2024/PPG-strengthens-powder-coatings-presence-in-Italy-through-partnership-with-SAROSiccardi/default.aspx">formed a strategic partnership</a> with SARO/Siccardi, Italy's largest powder coatings distributor. The collaboration could strengthen PPG's distribution network in Italy, enabling it to expand its market presence, enhance accessibility, and position itself as a leader in the Italian powder coatings market.
On October 17, PPG <a href="https://investor.ppg.com/news/news-details/2024/PPG-reaches-agreement-to-sell-architectural-coatings-U.S.-and-Canada-business-to-American-Industrial-Partners-announces-comprehensive-cost-reduction-program/default.aspx">agreed to sell</a> its U.S. and Canadian architectural coatings business to American Industrial Partners for $550 million. The strategic move would allow PPG to streamline its portfolio, focus on core growth areas, and enhance its financial flexibility for future investments and innovations.
For the fiscal 2024 third quarter that ended September 30, PPG's net sales came in at $4.58 billion. Its adjusted net income and adjusted EPS increased 1.4% and 2.9% year-over-year to $500 million and $2.13, respectively.
Moreover, as of September 30, 2024, PPG's total current assets stood at $7.91 billion, compared to $7.43 billion on December 31, 2023.
For the fiscal fourth quarter ending December 2024, Street expects PPG's revenue to come in at $4.16 billion. Additionally, its EPS is expected to increase 8.2% year-over-year to $1.66 for the ongoing quarter.
PPG's shares marginally declined intra-day to close the last trading session at $122.47.
PPG's strong fundamentals are mirrored in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of A, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
PPG has a B grade for Growth, Stability and Quality. It is ranked #6 out of 80 stocks in the Chemicals industry.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PPG/">Click here</a> to access PPG's ratings for Value, Momentum, and Sentiment.
Stock #1: Kuraray Co., Ltd. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KURRY/">KURRY</a>)
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, KURRY produces and sells resins, chemicals, fibers, activated carbon, and high-performance membranes and systems. The company operates through five key segments: Vinyl Acetate; Isoprene; Functional Materials; Fibers and Textiles; and Trading.
On November 14, KURRY <a href="https://www.kuraray.com/news/2024/241114">secured ISCC PLUS certification</a> for six vinyl acetate-related products across four production sites in Europe and the United States. The achievement could strengthen KURRY's commitment to sustainability, enhancing its market competitiveness and appeal to eco-conscious customers.
For the fiscal 2024 third quarter that ended September 30, KURRY's net sales increased 7% year-over-year to ¥614.83 billion ($3.98 billion). Its operating income rose 19.8% from the year-ago value to ¥73.92 billion ($478.05 million). Plus, net income attributable to owners of the parent grew 27.8% from the prior year's quarter to ¥46.63 billion ($301.57 million).
The consensus revenue estimates of $1.41 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter ending December 2024 exhibits a year-over-year rise of 2.3%. In addition, for the full fiscal year ending in December 2024, analysts estimate the company's revenue to rise 219% from the prior year to $5.42 billion.
Shares of KURRY have gained 18.3% over the past nine months, closing the last trading session at $36.75.
KURRY's POWR Ratings reflect solid prospects. It has an overall rating of A, which translates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
KURRY has an A grade for Stability and a B for Value, and Quality. It is ranked #3 in the same industry.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KURRY/">Click here</a> to access KURRY's ratings for Momentum, Growth, and Sentiment.
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<hr />
PPG shares were trading at $122.33 per share on Friday morning, down $0.35 (-0.29%). Year-to-date, PPG has declined -16.49%, versus a 26.22% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Aanchal Sugandh</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Aanchal-Sugandh_Headshot.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Aanchal's passion for financial markets drives her work as an investment analyst and journalist. She earned her bachelor's degree in finance and is pursuing the CFA program.

She is proficient at assessing the long-term prospects of stocks with her fundamental analysis skills. Her goal is to help investors build portfolios with sustainable returns.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=aanchal-sugandh">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/ppg-kurry-kro-3-specialty-chemical-companies-gaining-from-industrial-demand/>3 Specialty Chemical Companies Gaining From Industrial Demand</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

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