Short Interest in Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) Expands By 23.0%

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 939,900 shares, an increase of 23.0% from the March 31st total of 763,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 214,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.4 days. Currently, 4.4% of the company's shares are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Kronos Worldwide

In related news, Director Kevin B. Kramer bought 14,000 shares of Kronos Worldwide stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $7.43 per share, with a total value of $104,020.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 21,460 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $159,447.80. The trade was a 187.67 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Federated Hermes Inc. bought a new position in shares of Kronos Worldwide during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in Kronos Worldwide in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 144.8% in the fourth quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,183 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,883 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming increased its holdings in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 28.1% during the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 5,031 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 1,105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations purchased a new position in shares of Kronos Worldwide in the 4th quarter worth about $54,000. 15.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Kronos Worldwide from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 18th.

Kronos Worldwide Price Performance

Kronos Worldwide stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $7.35. 227,681 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 211,390. Kronos Worldwide has a 52 week low of $6.19 and a 52 week high of $14.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 2.68. The firm has a market cap of $845.51 million, a PE ratio of 9.07 and a beta of 1.22. The company's fifty day moving average is $7.45 and its 200-day moving average is $9.28.

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $489.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $466.56 million. Kronos Worldwide had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 11.74%.

Kronos Worldwide Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 11th were paid a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 11th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.72%. Kronos Worldwide's payout ratio is 27.03%.

Kronos Worldwide Company Profile

Kronos Worldwide, Inc produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2) in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company produces TiO2 in two crystalline forms, rutile and anatase to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity, and durability for various products, including paints, coatings, plastics, paper, fibers, and ceramics, as well as for various specialty products, such as inks, foods, and cosmetics.