Koppers (NYSE:KOP) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.25 EPS

Koppers (NYSE:KOP) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.25, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $520.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $506.10 million. Koppers had a negative net margin of 4.59% and a positive return on equity of 14.98%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. Koppers updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.800-4.200 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Koppers’ conference call:

• Transformation and cash generation advanced: First-half operating cash flow reached a record $96 million and free cash flow was $73 million, while Catalyst delivered $33 million of year-over-year benefits and has identified more than $90 million of opportunities through 2028.
• Stickney closure was accelerated: Koppers now expects to end distillation operations at the Illinois facility by September 30, 2026, targeting annual adjusted EBITDA benefits of $15 million-$20 million, $1-$1.20 of annual adjusted EPS improvement, and lower capital requirements.
• Performance Chemicals and utility poles were strong: Performance Chemicals sales rose 10% excluding currency and adjusted EBITDA increased 31% to $38 million, while utility pole demand drove approximately 16% volume growth in North America and supported continued optimism around AI-related infrastructure spending.
• 2026 guidance was maintained at a cautious level: The company expects sales of $1.9 billion-$2.0 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $240 million-$250 million, and adjusted EPS of $3.80-$4.20, reflecting stronger Performance Chemicals results but continued pressure in Railroad Products and Services and Carbon Materials and Chemicals.
• Input-cost and end-market pressures remain significant: Coal tar costs increased 12% year over year and 15% sequentially, while rail demand from Class 1 customers weakened and CMC expects a $4.6 million adverse oil-price impact in the second half; management does not expect these cost challenges to ease soon.

Koppers Trading Down 2.3%

Shares of NYSE KOP traded down $1.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $51.11. 478,655 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 153,314. Koppers has a 1 year low of $25.00 and a 1 year high of $53.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $982.95 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.83, a PEG ratio of 12.66 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $46.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $40.16.

Koppers Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 28th. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Koppers’s payout ratio is -7.63%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on KOP shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Koppers from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Koppers in a report on Friday, July 24th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Koppers in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Singular Research raised shares of Koppers to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $52.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at Koppers

In related news, CEO M Leroy Ball sold 3,412 shares of Koppers stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.90, for a total value of $149,786.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 436,243 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $19,151,067.70. This trade represents a 0.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 7.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Koppers

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aristides Capital LLC purchased a new position in Koppers during the third quarter valued at approximately $259,000. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in Koppers by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 13,381 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $375,000 after buying an additional 1,254 shares in the last quarter. Vestcor Inc purchased a new stake in Koppers in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $204,000. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Koppers by 20.3% during the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 11,844 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $332,000 after buying an additional 2,001 shares during the period. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new stake in shares of Koppers during the 2nd quarter valued at $231,000. 92.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Koppers News

Here are the key news stories impacting Koppers this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter results exceeded expectations: Koppers reported adjusted earnings of $1.37 per share, above the $1.12 analyst consensus, while revenue rose 3% year over year to $520.1 million versus the $506.1 million estimate. Koppers Q2 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management maintained a sizable 2026 earnings outlook: Full-year EPS guidance is $3.80-$4.20, with revenue expected at $1.9 billion-$2.0 billion. The company also outlined adjusted EBITDA of $240 million-$250 million, providing investors with visibility into expected operating performance. Koppers 2026 EBITDA Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Valuation-focused coverage could support the stock: Zacks is assessing whether investors are undervaluing Koppers based on value, growth, momentum, earnings estimates and revisions. Are Investors Undervaluing Koppers?
• Neutral Sentiment: Koppers declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share, payable September 14 to shareholders of record August 28. The approximately 0.7% yield offers modest income support but is unlikely to materially change the investment case. Koppers Dividend Announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Reported net loss and restructuring costs overshadowed the adjusted earnings beat: Koppers recorded a $147.5 million net loss, including $215.8 million in impairment, restructuring and plant-closure costs. EPS also declined from $1.48 in the prior-year quarter to $1.37. Koppers Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance is slightly below expectations at the midpoint: The $3.80-$4.20 EPS range has a $4.00 midpoint, below the roughly $4.10 consensus estimate, potentially limiting upside despite the quarterly beat.
• Negative Sentiment: Plant-closure execution risk remains: Koppers is accelerating the closure of its Illinois facility and moving production to Denmark, while the Stickney distillation operation is expected to end by September 30, 2026. These actions may improve efficiency over time but create near-term costs and operational uncertainty. Koppers Accelerates Illinois Plant Closure

Koppers Company Profile

Koppers Company, Inc is a global specialty chemicals and materials manufacturer serving diverse industrial markets. The company operates through two primary segments: Carbon Materials & Chemicals, which produces a range of coal tar–based products, phenolic specialties and carbon compounds; and Railroad Products & Services, which offers wood treating and infrastructure services for rail and utility customers.

In its Carbon Materials & Chemicals segment, Koppers supplies coal tar pitch, refined creosote, coal tar‐based distillates and phenolic resins used in aluminum smelting, graphite electrode manufacture, carbon fiber production, and water treatment applications.