Company Overview - Quaker Chemical is a global specialty chemical company focused on supplying high-value process fluids and solutions to industrial manufacturers, serving sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, and mining across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia/Pacific regions [5]. - The company reported a total revenue of $1.83 billion and a net income of $(7.13) million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4]. Recent Developments - Luminus Management sold 42,585 shares of Quaker Chemical, valued at approximately $5.6 million, during the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and retained 60,466 shares worth about $8 million at quarter-end, making Quaker Chemical its 5th-largest equity position [2][3]. - Quaker Chemical's stake represented 7.2% of Luminus Management's reported assets under management (AUM) [3]. Financial Performance - Quaker Chemical's revenue showed a 4% year-over-year increase to $483.4 million in the second quarter, with acquisitions contributing 6 percentage points and higher volume adding 2 percentage points, although lower prices and a changing mix subtracted 4 percentage points [6][7]. - Despite the sales growth, the company's net income, adjusted for certain items, dropped 21.5% to $30 million [7]. Market Position - As of October 2, 2025, Quaker Chemical's shares were priced at $132.59, reflecting a 19% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 36.6 percentage points during the same period [3].

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]

Financial Performance - Net sales for Q2 2025 were $4834 million, a 43% increase year-over-year[11] - Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for Q2 2025 were $171[11] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $755 million with a margin of 156%[11,18] - YTD 2025 net sales reached $9263 million, a 08% decrease compared to YTD 2024[11,12] - YTD 2025 non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $329[11] - Adjusted EBITDA for YTD 2025 was $1445 million[11] Volume and Leverage - Sales volumes in Q2 2025 increased by 2% year-over-year, driven by growth in the Asia/Pacific segment[15] - Sales volumes in Q2 2025 increased by 4% compared to Q1 2025[15] - The company's leverage ratio as of June 30, 2025, was 26x[11,22] Additional Information - Total debt was $937 million, with cash and cash equivalents of $202 million, resulting in net debt of $735 million[22]

Company Performance - Quaker Chemical reported quarterly earnings of $1.71 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.82 per share, and down from $2.13 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -6.04% [1] - The company posted revenues of $483.4 million for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.36%, compared to year-ago revenues of $463.57 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Quaker Chemical has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - Quaker Chemical shares have lost about 18.5% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 8.2% [3] - The current status of estimate revisions translates into a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $2.04 on revenues of $473.92 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $7.26 on revenues of $1.85 billion [7] - The outlook for the industry can materially impact the stock's performance, with the Chemical - Specialty industry currently in the bottom 33% of Zacks industries [8]