Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation | CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) today announced | | --- | | the following schedule and contact information for its third quarter 2025 earnings release and investor call. | | | Thursday, October 30, 2025 (after market close) | | --- | --- | | | Visit the investor relations portion of Quaker | | Earnings Release: | Houghton's | | | website at https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/ | | | Friday, October 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m ...

Group 1 - Quaker Chemical, operating as Quaker Houghton, is a leader in industrial process fluids, serving industries such as specialized steel, automotive, and mining [1] - The company specializes in products like metal removal fluids, rolling lubricants, and hydraulic fluids [1] Group 2 - The investment group European Small Cap Ideas focuses on high-quality small-cap investment opportunities in Europe, emphasizing capital gains and dividend income [1] - The group offers two model portfolios: the European Small Cap Ideas portfolio and the European REIT Portfolio, along with weekly updates and educational content [1]

Luminus Management reported selling 42,585 shares of Quaker Chemical(KWR -2.60%) in its SEC filing for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, an estimated $5.6 million trade based on the average share price for the period.What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated October 3, 2025, Luminus Management sold 42,585 shares of Quaker Chemical during the period. The transaction was estimated at $5.6 million based on the average share price for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Following the trade, Luminus re ...

Core Insights - Quaker Houghton has announced two key executive appointments to enhance its strategic priorities and growth strategy [1][2] - Christine Johnson has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, while Dr. André Frodl has been promoted to Vice President, R&D – Metals and Metalworking [1][2] - The leadership changes are aimed at driving innovation and operational excellence within the company [1] Leadership Appointments - Christine Johnson will lead transformation and process optimization efforts, focusing on unlocking value and accelerating the company's growth strategy [1] - Johnson previously worked at McKinsey & Company, advising materials and energy companies on strategy and transformation [1] - Dr. André Frodl will oversee global R&D for metals and metalworking, taking over from the retiring Dr. Dave Slinkman [2] - Frodl has been with Quaker Houghton for two decades, previously managing advanced development labs across multiple regions [2] Company Overview - Quaker Houghton is a global leader in industrial process fluids, operating in over 25 countries [3] - The company serves a diverse range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, and mining [3] - With approximately 4,400 employees, Quaker Houghton emphasizes innovative and sustainable solutions backed by advanced technology and process knowledge [3]

Core Viewpoint - Quaker Chemical (KWR) and Hawkins (HWKN) are both stocks in the Chemical - Specialty sector that are currently rated as a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings outlooks for both companies [3]. Valuation Metrics - KWR has a forward P/E ratio of 18.18, while HWKN has a significantly higher forward P/E of 41.40 [5]. - The PEG ratio for KWR is 1.46, suggesting a more favorable valuation relative to its expected EPS growth, compared to HWKN's PEG ratio of 2.59 [5]. - KWR's P/B ratio stands at 1.7, indicating a lower market value relative to its book value, whereas HWKN has a P/B ratio of 7.87 [6]. Value Grades - Based on various valuation metrics, KWR holds a Value grade of B, while HWKN has a Value grade of D, suggesting that KWR is currently the superior value option [6].

Group 1 - Investors in Quaker Chemical Corporation (KWR) should monitor the stock due to significant activity in the options market, particularly the Oct 17, 2025 $130.00 Put, which has high implied volatility [1] - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future price movement, suggesting that investors anticipate a significant change in Quaker Houghton shares, possibly due to an upcoming event [2] - Quaker Houghton currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Chemical - Specialty industry, which is in the bottom 27% of the Zacks Industry Rank, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter slightly increasing from $2.05 to $2.06 per share over the last 60 days [3] Group 2 - The high implied volatility may indicate a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on options with such volatility, aiming for the underlying stock to not move as much as expected at expiration [4]

Core Insights - Quaker Chemical's international operations are crucial for understanding its financial strength and growth potential [1][2] - The company's reliance on international markets can provide a hedge against domestic downturns and access to faster-growing economies, but it also introduces complexities [3] Revenue Performance - Total revenue for the quarter was $483.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.3% [4] - Asia/Pacific contributed $122.42 million, accounting for 25.3% of total revenue, surpassing the consensus estimate by +2.44% [5] - EMEA generated $139.92 million, representing 29% of total revenue, exceeding expectations by +3.19% [6] Future Projections - Analysts project total revenue of $473.92 million for the current fiscal quarter, indicating a 2.5% increase from the prior year [7] - For the full year, total revenue is expected to reach $1.85 billion, a 0.3% increase from the previous year [8] Market Dynamics - The interconnected global economy necessitates a thorough understanding of a company's international market engagement for accurate earnings projections [2][10] - Quaker Chemical's reliance on international revenues presents both opportunities and challenges, making it essential to track these trends for future projections [9]

Core Insights - Quaker Chemical reported Q2 2025 revenue of $483.4 million, exceeding analyst expectations by 4.8%, but faced profitability challenges with Non-GAAP EPS at $1.71, missing consensus by 6.6% and down 19.7% year-over-year [1][2] - The quarter included an $88.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment in the EMEA business, leading to a GAAP net loss of $66.6 million, highlighting ongoing margin pressure and challenges in Europe [1][7] Financial Performance - Non-GAAP EPS was $1.71, below the estimated $1.83 and down from $2.13 a year ago, reflecting a 19.7% decline [2] - Revenue increased by 4.3% year-over-year, from $463.6 million in Q2 2024 to $483.4 million in Q2 2025 [2] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 10.4% from the previous year, indicating underlying operating cash flow challenges [2] - Non-GAAP net income fell by 21.5% year-over-year to $30.0 million [2] - Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 10.5%, down 2.4 percentage points from the previous year [2] Business Overview - Quaker Chemical operates in over 25 countries, providing industrial process fluids and chemicals to sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, and aerospace [3] - The company focuses on five core areas: global market share, product diversification, managing raw material costs, growth through acquisitions, and sustainability [4] Key Developments - The revenue growth was driven by a 6% contribution from acquisitions and 2% organic product volume growth, with the Dipsol acquisition significantly impacting results, especially in the Asia/Pacific region [5][6] - Despite revenue gains, profitability was affected by higher raw material and manufacturing costs, with flat sales in the Americas and slight growth in EMEA [6] - The Dipsol acquisition is expected to enhance the company's technology base and market reach, contributing to new surface treatment solutions [8] Strategic Initiatives - The company emphasizes customer intimacy and e-commerce channels for expansion, alongside investments in new manufacturing capacity to improve efficiency [9] - Ongoing sustainability efforts include increasing renewable energy usage and a $20 million multi-year cost reduction program [10] Capital Allocation - The company raised its quarterly dividend by approximately 5% and repurchased about $32.7 million of shares, with net debt rising to $734.8 million [11] - Management remains focused on using various capital allocation strategies to support future growth [11] Future Outlook - Management projects revenue and earnings for FY2025 to be stable, with no formal guidance provided due to uncertainties in global markets [12] - Key themes to monitor include cost-cutting progress, acquisition integration, EMEA recovery, and margin defense through selective price increases [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the second quarter, the company reported net sales of $483 million, a 4% increase from the prior year, with organic volumes increasing by 2% [18] - Adjusted EBITDA was $75.5 million, reflecting a sequential increase of approximately $6 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins at 15.6% [9][20] - Gross margins were slightly lower at 36%, influenced by higher raw material and manufacturing costs, but remained within the target range [9][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Asia Pacific segment achieved 3% organic sales growth, driven by strong contributions from new business wins and acquisitions, with sales increasing by 20% year over year [21] - The EMEA segment saw net sales growth compared to the prior year and quarter, with organic volumes increasing by 4% sequentially [22] - The Americas segment experienced a 1% decline in net sales year over year, with volumes down 2% [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market served by the company is estimated to have declined by a low single-digit percentage compared to the prior year, with regional differences noted [7] - Demand uncertainty due to tariffs is impacting overall demand and geographic/product mix [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing complexity and improving cost structure to support long-term performance [6] - Investments are being made in new manufacturing capabilities and innovation to enhance customer solutions [10][11] - The integration of Dipsol's technology is expected to contribute positively to the company's portfolio [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates that end market softness will persist through 2025, but remains confident in the ability to drive above-market growth [14][15] - The company is taking actions to enhance competitiveness and expects to deliver solid cash flow in 2025 [26][28] - Management expressed confidence in sustaining a long-term growth rate of 2% to 4% despite external market challenges [15][37] Other Important Information - The board approved a 5% increase in cash dividends, marking the sixteenth consecutive annual increase [14] - The company repurchased $33 million of shares and has $68 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the share gains and their sustainability? - Management noted broad-based share gains across all regions, particularly strong in Asia Pacific, and expressed confidence in sustaining a mid-single-digit growth rate into the second half of the year [35][37] Question: What is the outlook for Asia Pacific margins and raw material impacts? - Management indicated that new business wins may initially impact margins but expect stability and modest improvement in the second half, with targeted pricing actions in response to raw material costs [39] Question: What is the expected EBITDA growth cadence for the second half? - Management expects the second half to be stronger than the first, driven by new business wins and cost actions, but does not anticipate significant market improvement [41][46] Question: Can you elaborate on the double-digit growth in advanced products? - Management confirmed that advanced solutions, including Fluid Intelligence, are seeing strong traction and represent about 20% of total revenues, with higher growth rates than the corporate average [53] Question: What are the implications of tariffs on customer inventory and strategy? - Management noted that customers are cautious about building inventory due to uncertainty, but there is potential for positive impacts in North America [63] Question: What changes are being made to the commercial strategy? - Management highlighted improvements in organizational structure and operational efficiency to reduce complexity and enhance growth potential [66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, the company reported net sales of $483 million, a 4% increase year over year, with organic volumes up 2% driven by new business wins and acquisitions contributing an additional 6% to sales [18][6] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $75.5 million, reflecting a margin of 15.6%, which is lower than the previous year due to higher raw material costs and disciplined cost management [20][8] - Gross margins were reported at 36%, slightly down from 36.4% in the previous year, influenced by product and geographic mix as well as increased manufacturing costs [19][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Asia Pacific segment achieved 3% organic sales growth in Q2, with a 20% year-over-year increase in sales, bolstered by acquisitions and strong organic volume growth [21][6] - The EMEA segment saw net sales growth compared to both the prior year and quarter, with organic volumes increasing 4% sequentially, driven by advanced and operating solutions [22][6] - The Americas segment experienced a 1% decline in net sales year over year, with a 2% decrease in volumes, although price mix was slightly positive [23][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market served by the company is estimated to have declined by a low single-digit percentage compared to the prior year, with regional differences impacting performance [6][7] - Demand uncertainty due to tariffs is affecting geographic and product mix, although share gains across the portfolio are mitigating these impacts [7][6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing complexity and improving cost structure to support long-term performance, with a commitment to serving customers and driving growth [5][10] - Investments in new manufacturing capabilities and innovation through R&D are key strategies to enhance customer outcomes and drive sustainable growth [10][11] - The company is implementing a $20 million cost program expected to yield approximately $15 million in savings in 2025, with further actions anticipated to deliver additional savings by 2026 [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates that the softness in end markets will persist through 2025, but remains confident in the ability to drive above-market growth through a healthy pipeline of product trials [14][15] - The company expects to maintain adjusted EBITDA margins in the high teens over time, with ongoing efforts to improve cost efficiency and manage inflationary pressures [60][62] - Management expressed optimism about the company's position and growth potential, regardless of external market conditions [68][69] Other Important Information - The company approved a 5% increase in cash dividends, marking the sixteenth consecutive annual increase, and repurchased $33 million of shares [14][28] - The net debt at the end of the quarter was $735 million, with a net leverage ratio of 2.6 times trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA [28][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Share gains and sustainability of growth - Management noted broad-based share gains across all regions, particularly strong in Asia Pacific, and expressed confidence in sustaining mid-single-digit growth rates into the second half of the year [34][36] Question: Asia Pacific margins and raw material impacts - Management indicated that new business wins in Asia Pacific may lead to modest margin improvements over time, despite current raw material headwinds related to oleochemicals [38][39] Question: Outlook for sequential EBITDA growth - Management expects stronger performance in the second half compared to the first half, driven by new business wins and cost actions, but does not anticipate significant market improvement [41][46] Question: Advanced products growth and margins - The advanced products segment, including Fluid Intelligence, is expected to grow significantly, contributing around 20% of total revenues with higher growth rates than the corporate average [52][54] Question: Cost savings program details - The new $20 million cost savings program is expected to yield significant savings, with a focus on both G&A and network improvements [56][57] Question: Customer sentiment regarding tariffs - Customers are cautious about building inventory due to uncertainty from tariffs, with some adjustments in inventory levels noted [64][65] Question: Commercial strategy and organizational changes - Management highlighted improvements in customer retention and share gains, with operational changes made to enhance product line management and sales deployment [67][68]