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Will Weaker TiO2 Prices Weigh on Kronos Worldwide's Performance?
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Key Takeaways
Kronos Worldwide saw higher TiO2 volumes and lower costs, but weaker prices cut second-quarter sales growth.
KRO's TiO2 prices were 4% lower year over year in the first half of 2026.
KRO implemented price increases, but further actions may be needed to restore historical margins.
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (KRO - Free Report) benefited from higher titanium dioxide (TiO2) sales volumes and lower production costs in the second quarter, while lower TiO2 average selling prices remained a headwind.
Kronos continues to face pressure from lower TiO2 selling prices and competitive market conditions. Average TiO2 selling prices remained below the year-ago levels and reduced the year-over-year change in second-quarter net sales by 3%. The company entered 2026 with average TiO2 selling prices below early-2025 levels. Its average TiO2 selling prices for the first six months of 2026 were 4% lower than the same period in 2025.
The company has emphasized continued execution on pricing and cost initiatives as key priorities following the restructuring actions implemented in late 2025. KRO implemented additional price increases and surcharges in the second quarter, but said overall selling prices remain below the prior-year levels and further actions may be needed to restore margins toward the historical levels. Weaker year-over-year selling prices may continue to impact its third-quarter performance.
Among its peers, Tronox Holdings plc’s (TROX - Free Report) TiO2 sales volumes increased 18% in the second quarter, while average selling prices, including mix, were flat. TROX expects TiO2 pricing to rise sequentially in the mid-single-digit percentage range in the third quarter. Tronox forecasts margins to improve sequentially as pricing actions and higher operating rates provide support.
The Chemours Company (CC - Free Report) announced an additional global TiO2 price increase in the second quarter effective June 1, 2026 and has achieved a 5% TiO2 price increase year to date through Aug. 4, 2026. CC’s TiO2 pricing actions contributed to a 2% year-over-year and 3% sequential growth in second-quarter global pricing. Strong TiO2 pricing contributed to a $35 million favorable pricing impact to Chemours’ adjusted EBITDA in the quarter.
KRO’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Kronos has gained 30.1% in the past year compared with the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry’s increase of 3.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KRO is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.46, below the industry. It carries a Value Score of C.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRO’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 65.6%. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been stable over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KRO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Will Weaker TiO2 Prices Weigh on Kronos Worldwide's Performance?
Key Takeaways
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (KRO - Free Report) benefited from higher titanium dioxide (TiO2) sales volumes and lower production costs in the second quarter, while lower TiO2 average selling prices remained a headwind.
Kronos continues to face pressure from lower TiO2 selling prices and competitive market conditions. Average TiO2 selling prices remained below the year-ago levels and reduced the year-over-year change in second-quarter net sales by 3%. The company entered 2026 with average TiO2 selling prices below early-2025 levels. Its average TiO2 selling prices for the first six months of 2026 were 4% lower than the same period in 2025.
The company has emphasized continued execution on pricing and cost initiatives as key priorities following the restructuring actions implemented in late 2025. KRO implemented additional price increases and surcharges in the second quarter, but said overall selling prices remain below the prior-year levels and further actions may be needed to restore margins toward the historical levels. Weaker year-over-year selling prices may continue to impact its third-quarter performance.
Among its peers, Tronox Holdings plc’s (TROX - Free Report) TiO2 sales volumes increased 18% in the second quarter, while average selling prices, including mix, were flat. TROX expects TiO2 pricing to rise sequentially in the mid-single-digit percentage range in the third quarter. Tronox forecasts margins to improve sequentially as pricing actions and higher operating rates provide support.
The Chemours Company (CC - Free Report) announced an additional global TiO2 price increase in the second quarter effective June 1, 2026 and has achieved a 5% TiO2 price increase year to date through Aug. 4, 2026. CC’s TiO2 pricing actions contributed to a 2% year-over-year and 3% sequential growth in second-quarter global pricing. Strong TiO2 pricing contributed to a $35 million favorable pricing impact to Chemours’ adjusted EBITDA in the quarter.
KRO’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Kronos has gained 30.1% in the past year compared with the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry’s increase of 3.7%.
KRO is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.46, below the industry. It carries a Value Score of C.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRO’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 65.6%. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been stable over the past 60 days.
KRO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.