KRO
Basic MaterialsKronos Worldwide, Inc. · Chemicals - Specialty · $780M
What is Kronos Worldwide, Inc.?
Kronos Worldwide is a global producer of titanium dioxide pigments, serving industries from paints and coatings to plastics and cosmetics. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company operates across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific.
Kronos generates revenue by manufacturing and selling titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments in two crystalline forms — rutile and anatase — which give products their whiteness, brightness, and durability. Customers include paint, plastics, paper, and ceramics manufacturers worldwide. Beyond TiO2, the company also produces iron-based chemicals, ilmenite, and specialty chemicals used in electronics and industrial applications. Products are sold under the KRONOS brand through agents and distributors.
Kronos Worldwide has roots going back to 1916 and is currently headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
- Rutile and anatase TiO2 pigments for coatings and plastics
- Iron-based chemicals for water treatment and industrial use
- Ilmenite as a raw feedstock for TiO2 production
- Specialty chemicals for electronics and pearlescent pigments
- Technical services supporting product application
Is KRO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates KRO as Poor overall, placing it among the lower-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials sector.
The Growth and Valuation pillars both register as Neutral, suggesting the company is not dramatically mispriced relative to its fundamentals and retains some capacity for revenue movement in line with the TiO2 cycle.
The Quality, Moat, and Risk pillars all score as Weak — indicating below-average business durability, limited competitive differentiation, and meaningful financial or operational vulnerabilities relative to sector peers.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does KRO pay dividends?
Yes — Kronos Worldwide, Inc. pays a dividend.
Kronos Worldwide pays a regular dividend, which may appeal to income-oriented investors in the cyclical materials space. Dividend sustainability in commodity-linked businesses like TiO2 production can be sensitive to pricing cycles and earnings variability, so investors should weigh the income potential against the company's Weak Risk pillar before relying on the payout.
When does KRO report earnings?
Kronos Worldwide reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
Results tend to reflect the cyclical nature of the TiO2 market, with revenue and margins moving alongside pigment pricing and raw material costs. Investors should watch for commentary on European and North American demand trends, which heavily influence the company's top line.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Kronos Worldwide's investor relations page directly.
KRO Price History
-47.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.?
Based on Kronos Worldwide, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
KRO Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for KRO is shaped by a Neutral Growth profile and Weak Risk standing. While TiO2 demand from construction and consumer goods markets provides a baseline, the company's limited moat means pricing power is constrained by global supply dynamics. Downside risks appear more pronounced than upside catalysts given the current pillar configuration.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in global paint and coatings demand supporting TiO2 volumes
- Specialty chemical product lines offering incremental diversification
- Potential margin improvement if TiO2 pricing cycles turn favorable
Key risks
- Commodity pricing volatility directly pressuring revenue and margins
- Weak moat leaving the company exposed to lower-cost global competitors
- Operational and financial risk factors flagged by the Weak Risk pillar
KRO vs Peers
Kronos Worldwide competes in the broader specialty materials and chemicals space alongside several other small-cap producers.
Koppers focuses on carbon compounds and treated wood products, giving it a different end-market exposure than Kronos's TiO2-centric business.
Neo specializes in rare earth and specialty materials used in magnets and advanced electronics, serving higher-technology end markets than Kronos.
Oil-Dri produces sorbent minerals for consumer and agricultural applications, representing a more consumer-facing business model compared to Kronos's industrial pigment focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kronos Worldwide do?
Kronos Worldwide produces titanium dioxide pigments used to add whiteness, brightness, and durability to paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and cosmetics. The company also makes iron-based chemicals, ilmenite, and specialty chemicals for industrial and electronic applications, selling globally under the KRONOS brand.
Does KRO pay dividends?
Yes, Kronos Worldwide pays a regular dividend. However, the company's Weak Risk pillar suggests that dividend sustainability may be sensitive to TiO2 pricing cycles and broader commodity market conditions. Income investors should review the full financial picture before depending on the payout.
When does KRO report earnings?
Kronos Worldwide reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For exact release dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of the Kronos Worldwide website.
Is KRO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates KRO as Poor, reflecting Weak scores across Quality, Moat, and Risk pillars. While Growth and Valuation are Neutral, the overall profile suggests meaningful challenges relative to sector peers. Investors should review the complete pillar breakdown available to UQS Pro members before making a decision.
Is KRO overvalued?
The Valuation pillar for KRO is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly expensive nor deeply discounted relative to its fundamentals. Given the Weak quality and moat profile, a Neutral valuation does not necessarily imply a margin of safety.
How does KRO compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Koppers Holdings, Neo Performance Materials, and Oil-Dri, Kronos operates in a more commoditized segment of the materials space. Its TiO2 focus leaves it more exposed to pigment pricing cycles, while some peers benefit from specialty or technology-driven end markets.
What is KRO's market cap bracket?
Kronos Worldwide is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can experience higher volatility and lower liquidity than large- or mega-cap peers, which is relevant context alongside the company's Weak Risk pillar.
Who founded Kronos Worldwide?
Kronos Worldwide traces its origins to 1916. The company currently operates as a subsidiary of Valhi, Inc. and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Detailed founding history is publicly available through the company's official disclosures.
Is KRO a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, KRO's Poor UQS Score — driven by Weak Quality, Moat, and Risk pillars — signals limited structural advantages for sustained outperformance. Long-term investors typically seek stronger moat and quality profiles; the full pillar analysis is available to UQS Pro members.
What is the main competitive advantage of Kronos Worldwide?
Kronos's primary competitive position rests on its established global distribution network and the KRONOS brand in the TiO2 market. However, the Weak Moat pillar indicates that these advantages do not translate into durable pricing power relative to sector peers.
What sector does KRO belong to?
Kronos Worldwide belongs to the Basic Materials sector, specifically within the specialty chemicals and pigments segment. This sector is cyclical by nature, with performance closely tied to industrial production, construction activity, and global commodity pricing trends.
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Pro Analysis
KRO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2026 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 36.9 | 58.2 | -0.1 |
| May 8, 2026 | 25.1 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 36.9 | 58.6 | +0.7 |
| May 7, 2026 | 24.4 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 42.3 | 0.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 24.4 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 42.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 24.5 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 42.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 24.7 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 44.1 | -0.4 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 25.1 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 46.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 25.0 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 46.0 | -2.5 |
| Apr 17, 2026 | 27.5 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 62.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 27.5 | 6.7 | 10.0 | 41.2 | 37.7 | 63.1 | 0.0 |
KRO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 13.4/100 (25%)Kronos Worldwide, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 41.2/100 (20%)Kronos Worldwide, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 39.7/100 (15%)Kronos Worldwide, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 43.4/100 (15%)Kronos Worldwide, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 10/100 (25%)Kronos Worldwide, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for KRO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the KRO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Kronos Worldwide, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.