Shares of Kronos Worldwide (NYSE: KRO) plummeted 12.92% in Friday's trading session, extending losses following the release of disappointing third-quarter 2025 financial results. The titanium dioxide producer's stock price decline accelerated from a 7.20% drop in pre-market trading, as investors digested the full impact of the company's challenges.
Kronos reported a net loss of $37.0 million, or $0.32 per share, for Q3 2025, a stark reversal from the net income of $71.8 million, or $0.62 per share, in the same quarter last year. The company's poor performance was attributed to several factors, including lower production volumes and a 7% decline in average TiO2 selling prices compared to Q3 2024. Kronos operated its production facilities at only 80% of practical capacity utilization, down from 92% in the previous year, significantly impacting its bottom line.
Adding to the company's woes, a new German tax legislation enacted during the quarter resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $19.3 million. The ongoing global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and customer hesitancy to build inventories have prolonged the market downturn, affecting sales volumes and pricing momentum. With management not providing specific guidance for future quarters, investors remain uncertain about the timeline for potential recovery in the titanium dioxide market, likely contributing to the intensified sell-off during Friday's trading session.