Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO) Stock Price Down 3.7% - Should You Sell?

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report)'s share price traded down 3.7% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $6.85 and last traded at $6.85. 20,489 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 202,394 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.11.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Kronos Worldwide Trading Up 0.3 %

The company has a current ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $791.45 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.49 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.67.

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

Kronos Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 11th. Kronos Worldwide's payout ratio is presently 27.03%.

Insider Activity at Kronos Worldwide

In related news, Director Kevin B. Kramer acquired 14,000 shares of Kronos Worldwide 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 acquisition, the director now owns 21,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $159,447.80. This represents a 187.67 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.11% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kronos Worldwide

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 575,541 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $7,165,000 after purchasing an additional 8,218 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its holdings in Kronos Worldwide by 40.9% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 28,055 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $349,000 after buying an additional 8,150 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in Kronos Worldwide by 329.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 33,695 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $419,000 after buying an additional 25,849 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in Kronos Worldwide by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 34,948 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $341,000 after buying an additional 2,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Kronos Worldwide during the 4th quarter worth about $180,000. 15.11% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.