Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO) Sets New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $7.49 and last traded at $7.70, with a volume of 218544 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $7.75.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Kronos Worldwide Trading Up 2.1 %

The company's 50 day moving average price is $7.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.36. The firm has a market cap of $872.32 million, a PE ratio of 9.36 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.31). Kronos Worldwide had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 11.74%. The business had revenue of $423.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $494.19 million.

Kronos Worldwide Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th were issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 11th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.64%. Kronos Worldwide's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kronos Worldwide

In other news, Director Kevin B. Kramer bought 14,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $7.43 per share, for a total transaction of $104,020.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 21,460 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $159,447.80. This represents a 187.67 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.11% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,165,098 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $30,859,000 after purchasing an additional 109,674 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Kronos Worldwide by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,217,961 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $21,625,000 after buying an additional 13,869 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in Kronos Worldwide by 80.4% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,412,106 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $13,765,000 after buying an additional 629,387 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in Kronos Worldwide by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 734,230 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $7,159,000 after buying an additional 31,830 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 489,177 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $4,769,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 15.11% of the company's stock.

About Kronos Worldwide

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.