Kronos Worldwide Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

Net loss against prior-year profit: The company reported a net loss of $4.8 million, or $.04 per share, versus net income of $18.1 million, or $.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. Income from operations fell to $12.6 million from $38.4 million. Source
Net sales rose on volume and currency: Net sales were $509.8 million, up $20.0 million or 4%. Higher sales volumes in North American, Latin American and export markets and favorable currency effects, primarily the euro (about $30 million), were partly offset by lower European volumes and lower average TiO2 selling prices. Source
Average TiO2 prices down 6% y/y: The bridge shows TiO2 product pricing as a 6% negative effect on net sales year over year, while sales volume added 4% and currency added 6%. Average prices rose 2% within the quarter. Source
Cost cuts lowered production costs: Lower production costs came in part from cost reduction initiatives implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025, including workforce reductions, designed to improve the cost structure and allow efficient operation at lower rates. Lower raw material and energy costs also contributed. Source
Pricing and cost initiatives continue: Brian W. Christian said the company remains focused on executing pricing and cost initiatives to drive further improvement, after the fourth quarter 2025 actions to structurally realign operations. Source

“we are encouraged by the $74.5 million sequential improvement in segment profit in the first quarter as these actions begin to benefit our results”
Brian W. Christian, President and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

Guidance kept: Management gave no numeric forward guidance in this release. The company reported that TiO2 average selling prices rose 2% during the first quarter of 2026 as it works to recover pricing lost during 2025. Source

Results and growth drivers

Net loss against prior-year profit: The company reported a net loss of $4.8 million, or $.04 per share, versus net income of $18.1 million, or $.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. Income from operations fell to $12.6 million from $38.4 million. Source
Net sales rose on volume and currency: Net sales were $509.8 million, up $20.0 million or 4%. Higher sales volumes in North American, Latin American and export markets and favorable currency effects, primarily the euro (about $30 million), were partly offset by lower European volumes and lower average TiO2 selling prices. Source
EBITDA and segment profit both lower: TiO2 segment profit was $15.1 million versus $41.6 million a year earlier. EBITDA was $27.7 million versus $51.2 million. Management attributed the decline mainly to lower TiO2 prices, lower production volumes and currency, partly offset by volume and lower production costs. Source

Segments and regions

Europe volumes fell, other markets rose: Sales volumes declined in the European market while North American, Latin American and export markets grew. The release gives no separate segment or regional profit figures beyond the single TiO2 segment. Source

“We remain focused on executing our pricing and cost initiatives to drive further improvement”
Brian W. Christian, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

TiO2 sales volumes up 6%: TiO2 sales volumes were 142 thousand metric tons, up from 136 thousand. Production volumes were 128 thousand metric tons, down from 143 thousand. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

Average TiO2 prices down 6% y/y: The bridge shows TiO2 product pricing as a 6% negative effect on net sales year over year, while sales volume added 4% and currency added 6%. Average prices rose 2% within the quarter. Source
Cost cuts lowered production costs: Lower production costs came in part from cost reduction initiatives implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025, including workforce reductions, designed to improve the cost structure and allow efficient operation at lower rates. Lower raw material and energy costs also contributed. Source
Currency reduced segment profit: Currency fluctuations, primarily the euro, reduced segment profit by about $6 million compared with the first quarter of 2025. Source
German tax charge recorded: The net loss includes a $2.0 million income tax expense ($.02 per share) to recognize an uncertain tax position related to a German tax audit. Source

Demand and the order book

Volumes up in most markets: Higher sales volumes were reported in North American, Latin American and export markets, while European volumes were lower. The release does not give order backlog figures. Source

Strategy and investment

Pricing and cost initiatives continue: Brian W. Christian said the company remains focused on executing pricing and cost initiatives to drive further improvement, after the fourth quarter 2025 actions to structurally realign operations. Source

People and leadership

CEO on fourth-quarter realignment: The CEO described the fourth quarter 2025 realignment actions as difficult and said they were designed to permanently improve the cost structure, citing a $74.5 million sequential improvement in segment profit. Source

Risks management discussed

External: Tariffs, trade disputes, currency movements (euro, Norwegian krone, Canadian dollar) and global economic conditions are named as risk factors; currency reduced segment profit by about $6 million this quarter. Source
Financial: Named risks include renewing or refinancing credit facilities, interest rate changes, and compliance with revolving credit facility covenants; interest expense rose to $14.3 million from $11.6 million. Source
Regulatory: Possible changes to environmental and regulations seeking to limit or classify TiO2, and the outcome of income tax audits, are listed as risks; a German tax audit led to a $2.0 million charge this quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

Not stated: Management said the Q4 2025 actions are beginning to benefit results, citing sequential improvement; it did not state the measure against plan. Source
Not stated: Management said it works to recover pricing lost in 2025; average selling prices rose 2% in the quarter, and the release gives no target. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.

As filed with the SEC

Open the filing on EDGAR

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

DALLAS, TEXAS…May 6, 2026…Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) today reported a net loss of $4.8 million, or $.04 per share, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to net income of $18.1 million, or $.16 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. Net income decreased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower income from operations as a result of lower average TiO2 selling prices and lower production volumes, partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower production costs driven primarily by cost reduction initiatives implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025 to structurally realign our operations, as well as lower raw material and energy costs. Comparability of our results was also impacted by the effects of changes in currency exchange rates.

Net sales of $509.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 were $20.0 million, or 4%, higher than in the first quarter of 2025. Net sales increased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to the effects of higher sales volumes in our North American, Latin American and export markets and the favorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro), which we estimate increased our net sales by approximately $30 million. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes in our European market and lower average TiO2 selling prices. We started 2026 with average TiO2 selling prices lower than at the beginning of 2025; however, our average TiO2 selling prices increased 2% during the first quarter of 2026 as we work to recover pricing lost during 2025. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted net sales.

Our TiO2 segment profit (see description of non-GAAP information below) was $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $41.6 million in the first quarter of 2025. Segment profit decreased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to the effects of lower average TiO2 selling prices, lower production volumes, and the unfavorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates, partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower production costs. Lower production costs benefited in part from cost reduction initiatives implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025, including workforce reductions and other measures, which were designed to permanently improve our cost structure and enable more efficient operation of our facilities at lower production rates for extended periods. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased our segment profit by approximately $6 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Our net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) (see description of non-GAAP information below) in the first quarter of 2026 was $27.7 million compared to EBITDA of $51.2 million in the first quarter of 2025.

“The fourth quarter of 2025 reflected the difficult actions we took to structurally realign our operations, which contributed to a segment loss of $59.4 million and negative EBITDA in that period,” said Brian W. Christian, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Those actions, together with several other strategic initiatives, were designed to permanently improve our cost structure, and we are encouraged by the $74.5 million sequential improvement in segment profit in the first quarter as these actions begin to benefit our results. We remain focused on executing our pricing and cost initiatives to drive further improvement.”

Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2026 includes an income tax expense of $2.0 million ($.02 per share) to recognize an uncertain tax position related to a German tax audit.

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:

Future supply and demand for our products;
Our ability to realize expected cost savings from strategic and operational initiatives;
Our ability to integrate acquisitions into our operations and realize expected synergies and innovations;
The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors;
The cyclicality of our business;
Customer and producer inventory levels;
Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion;
Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as energy and ore costs);
Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore);
General global economic and political conditions that harm the worldwide economy, disrupt our supply chain, increase material and energy costs or reduce demand or perceived demand for our titanium dioxide pigments (“TiO2”) products or impair our ability to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, tariffs, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises);
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, certain regional and world events or economic conditions and public health crises);
Technology related disruptions (including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks; software implementation, upgrades or improvements; technology processing failures; or other events) related to our technology infrastructure (including manufacturing and accounting systems) that could impact our ability to continue operations, or at key vendors which could impact our supply chain, or at key customers which could impact their operations and cause them to curtail or pause orders;
Competitive products and substitute products;
Competition from Chinese suppliers with less stringent regulatory and environmental compliance requirements;
Customer and competitor strategies;
Potential consolidation of our competitors;
Potential consolidation of our customers;
The impact of pricing and production decisions;
Competitive technology positions;
The introduction of new, or changes in existing, tariffs, trade barriers or trade disputes;
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and between the euro and the Norwegian krone), or possible disruptions to our business resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro or other currencies;
Our ability to renew or refinance credit facilities or other debt instruments in the future;
Changes in interest rates;
Our ability to comply with covenants contained in our revolving bank credit facility;
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity;
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform;
Our ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which may or may not have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria;
Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities);
Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein including new environmental, sustainability, health and safety, or other regulations (such as those seeking to limit or classify TiO2 or its use); and
Pending or possible future litigation or other actions.

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company's results of operations as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the Company has disclosed certain non-GAAP information which the Company believes provides useful information to investors:

The Company discloses segment profit, which is used by the Company’s management to assess the performance of the Company’s TiO2 operations. The Company believes disclosure of segment profit provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze the performance of the Company’s TiO2 operations in the same way that the Company’s management assesses performance. The Company defines segment profit as net income (loss) before income tax expense and certain general corporate items. These general corporate items include corporate expense and the components of other income (expense) except for trade interest income; and
The Company discloses EBITDA, which is also used by the Company’s management to assess the performance of the Company’s TiO2 operations. The Company believes disclosure of EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze the performance of the Company’s TiO2 operations in the same way that the Company’s management assesses performance. The Company defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense.

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a major international producer of titanium dioxide products.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share and metric ton data)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2025		2026
	(unaudited)
Net sales		$489.8		$509.8
Cost of sales		383.0		426.5
Gross margin		106.8		83.3
Selling, general and administrative expense		61.6		63.6
Other operating income (expense):
Currency transactions, net		(4.3)		(5.4)
Other income, net		.5		.7
Corporate expense		(3.0)		(2.4)
Income from operations		38.4		12.6
Other income (expense):
Trade interest income		.2		.1
Other interest and dividend income		.2		.1
Marketable equity securities		(1.0)		.3
Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost		(.5)		(.8)
Interest expense		(11.6)		(14.3)
Income (loss) before income taxes		25.7		(2.0)
Income tax expense		7.6		2.8
Net income (loss)		$18.1		$(4.8)
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share	$	.16	$	(.04)
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share		115.0		115.0
TiO2 data - metric tons in thousands:
Sales volumes		136		142
Production volumes		143		128

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF INCOME FROM

OPERATIONS TO SEGMENT PROFIT

(In millions)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2025	2026
	(unaudited)
Income from operations	$38.4	$12.6
Adjustments:
Trade interest income	.2	.1
Corporate expense	3.0	2.4
Segment profit	$41.6	$15.1

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA

(In millions)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2025	2026
	(unaudited)
Net income (loss)	$18.1	$(4.8)
Adjustments:
Depreciation expense	13.9	15.4
Interest expense	11.6	14.3
Income tax expense	7.6	2.8
EBITDA	$51.2	$27.7

IMPACT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN NET SALES

(unaudited)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2026 vs. 2025
Percentage change in net sales:
TiO2 sales volume	4%
TiO2 product pricing	(6)
TiO2 product mix/other	-
Changes in currency exchange rates	6
Total	4%

Contacts
Bryan A. Hanley
Senior Vice President & Treasurer
Tel: (972) 233-1700
KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.