Kronos Worldwide Q1 Net Loss of $4.8M; Net Sales Up 4% to $509.8M
KRO•Kronos posted a Q1 2026 net loss of $4.8M ($0.04/share) versus $18.1M year-ago, as TiO2 prices and volumes fell despite net sales rising 4% to $509.8M. TiO2 segment profit dropped to $15.1M from $41.6M and EBITDA declined to $27.7M from $51.2M, although cost-cutting realignment yielded a $74.5M sequential profit improvement.
1. Q1 Financial Results
Kronos posted a Q1 2026 net loss of $4.8M ($0.04/share) compared with $18.1M net income in Q1 2025. Net sales increased 4% to $509.8M driven by higher sales volumes in North America, Latin America and exports along with favorable currency movements.
2. TiO2 Segment Performance
TiO2 segment profit fell to $15.1M from $41.6M year-over-year due to lower average TiO2 selling prices and reduced production volumes. Average TiO2 prices rose 2% during the quarter as the company worked to recover pricing lost in 2025.
3. Cost-Reduction Initiatives
Cost-cutting measures implemented in Q4 2025, including workforce reductions and operational realignment, lowered production expenses and improved efficiency at reduced output levels. These initiatives contributed to a $74.5M sequential profit improvement from the prior quarter’s segment loss of $59.4M.
4. Currency Effects and Outlook
Favorable changes in the euro added approximately $30M to net sales but decreased segment profit by about $6M. Management remains focused on pricing recovery and further cost controls to drive margin improvement in upcoming quarters.
