On the stock market since 1980, it operates in the world of raw materials. It has 4,700 employees. Now — the numbers.
The company closed last year at a loss: costs ran above sales. The picture changes only if spending is reined in.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
Before the clock runs out, either sales must climb sharply or new money must come in. For now, time is on the company’s side.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
Clearly below the class average.
The price looks reasonable next to what the company earns.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
angles, checked one by one.
The 3 that stand out are on screen; the rest came back neutral.
The council scores out of 10; report-card grades are out of 100.
R&D Investment: Spending on future research is low.
The stock trades 46% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The company sells $1.9B a year; the problem isn’t sales — it’s costs running above that number.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 128 buys and 89 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
The average analyst price target is $182 — 23% above today’s price.
A loss of $2.5M against $1.9B in annual sales.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 36/100.
The growth engine is running at low revs right now. Report-card grade: 40/100.
On our five-subject report card, KWR sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: KWR has solid sales but closed last year at a loss. The road back to profit runs through spending discipline.