KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,100 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Centiva Capital LP bought a new position in Kronos Worldwide in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $138,000. Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in Kronos Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at about $180,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide during the fourth quarter valued at about $233,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 40.9% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 28,055 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $349,000 after purchasing an additional 8,150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of 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 during the period. 15.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kronos Worldwide from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th.

Kronos Worldwide Stock Performance

NYSE:KRO opened at $6.83 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $785.93 million, a PE ratio of 8.43 and a beta of 1.21. Kronos Worldwide, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $6.19 and a fifty-two 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 company has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.86.

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

Kronos Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th were paid a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 11th. Kronos Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.03%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Kevin B. Kramer acquired 14,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $7.43 per share, for a total transaction of $104,020.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 21,460 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $159,447.80. This trade represents a 187.67 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Kronos Worldwide 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.