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Croda International PLC (GB:CRDA)
LSE:CRDA
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Croda International (CRDA) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:CRDA

Croda International

(LSE:CRDA)

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Neutral 65 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
2,914.00p
▲(7.49% Upside)
Croda International's overall stock score reflects a mix of solid financial health and strategic initiatives, tempered by valuation concerns and technical weaknesses. The company's strong earnings call and positive corporate events provide a supportive backdrop, but investors should be cautious of the high P/E ratio and bearish technical indicators.
Positive Factors
Strong Sales Growth
Consistent sales growth across all segments indicates robust demand and effective market penetration, supporting long-term revenue expansion.
Cost Savings Initiative
Significant cost-saving initiatives enhance margin sustainability and operational efficiency, contributing to long-term profitability.
Stable Cash Generation
Stable cash generation capability ensures financial resilience and supports strategic investments, crucial for sustaining growth.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue Growth
A declining revenue trend could indicate challenges in maintaining market share and competitive positioning, impacting future growth.
Higher Inventory Levels
Elevated inventory levels can lead to increased holding costs and potential write-downs, affecting profitability and cash flow.
Decline in Profit Margins
Decreasing profit margins suggest challenges in cost control and pricing power, which may hinder long-term financial performance.

Croda International (CRDA) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Croda International Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCroda International Plc is a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in the UK, focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across various sectors including personal care, health care, crop care, and industrial markets. The company develops and manufactures a wide range of high-performance ingredients and technologies, such as surfactants, emulsifiers, and polymers, which are used in products ranging from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and agricultural applications.
How the Company Makes MoneyCroda International generates revenue primarily through the sale of its specialty chemicals and formulations to diverse industries. The company's revenue model is based on a combination of direct sales and long-term contracts with clients, which provides a steady stream of income. Key revenue streams include products for personal care, which cater to the growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients, healthcare products that support pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications, and crop care solutions aimed at improving agricultural productivity. Additionally, Croda has established significant partnerships with leading brands in various sectors, enhancing its market presence and driving sales growth. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation also attracts premium pricing for its differentiated products, contributing further to its earnings.

Croda International Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 29, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 24, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong sales growth across all business segments and regions, improvements in operating profit, and significant cost-saving initiatives. However, challenges remain in North America due to political uncertainty, impacting consumer confidence and premium product demand. Additionally, exceptional charges and higher-than-expected inventory levels pose concerns. Overall, the highlights and lowlights suggest a balanced sentiment.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Sales Growth Across All Segments
Group sales increased by 7% for the first half, with all three business units and regions showing growth. Consumer Care sales grew 7%, Life Sciences sales increased by 9%, and Industrial Specialties grew by 4%.
Improved Operating Profit
Adjusted operating profit was up 12% to GBP 147 million, with adjusted profit before tax also growing by 12% to GBP 138 million.
Strong Performance in Agriculture
Crop and Seed sales combined were up 13%, driven by good demand, especially in Europe.
Cost Savings Initiative
The company has identified GBP 60 million of additional cost savings, totaling GBP 100 million of annualized savings by the end of 2027.
Positive Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow was reported at GBP 34 million despite higher working capital.
Negative Updates
Challenges in North America
Political uncertainty in the U.S. has negatively impacted consumer confidence, particularly affecting Beauty Actives due to its exposure to premium products.
Exceptional Charges Impacting Profit
Reported profit before tax of GBP 85.5 million includes a GBP 7 million exceptional restructuring charge and a GBP 27 million impairment charge.
Higher Inventory Levels
Inventory levels are higher than expected, which the company plans to address through improved working capital management.
Decline in Price/Mix
Price/mix was 4% lower as the company selectively reduced prices to regain market share in the bottom end of their Agriculture and Beauty Care portfolios.
Company Guidance
During the call, the company provided guidance for fiscal year 2025, highlighting a strong financial performance in the first half despite a challenging market environment. Group sales increased by 7%, with volumes up 11%, offsetting a 4% decrease in price/mix. Adjusted operating profit and profit before tax both grew by 12%, reaching GBP 147 million and GBP 138 million, respectively. The company also maintained its full-year guidance, expecting adjusted profit before tax to be between GBP 265 million and GBP 295 million in constant currency. Furthermore, they announced an acceleration of their cost savings plan, targeting GBP 100 million in annualized savings by the end of 2027, up from an initial GBP 40 million over two years. The interim dividend was slightly increased to 48p, and net debt stood at GBP 580 million with a leverage ratio of 1.5x EBITDA. The company remains focused on executing its 5-point plan to enhance margins, improve earnings, and navigate the uncertain economic and political landscape.

Croda International Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Croda International shows solid financial health with a strong equity base and effective cost management. However, declining revenue and profitability margins present challenges. Stable cash flow generation suggests resilience, albeit with potential pressures on growth and profit margins.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Croda International's income statement shows a contraction in total revenue from 2022 to 2024, with a negative trend in revenue growth rate. The gross profit margin remains strong at approximately 45%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin has decreased, reflecting declining profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also decreasing, signaling weakening operating performance.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet is relatively stable with a moderate debt-to-equity ratio. The company's equity ratio is robust, indicating a solid equity base. Despite a slight increase in debt over the years, there’s a consistent stockholders' equity, suggesting financial stability. However, the return on equity has been declining, which may affect investor confidence.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
The cash flow statements indicate stable operating cash flow, though free cash flow has shown minor fluctuations. The free cash flow to net income ratio is healthy, suggesting efficient cash conversion. Despite a decrease in free cash flow in the latest year, the operating cash flow to net income ratio remains strong, highlighting stable cash generation capacity.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.67B1.63B1.69B2.09B1.89B1.39B
Gross Profit614.80M733.90M730.00M864.90M825.60M550.30M
EBITDA355.50M374.50M388.50M924.80M549.40M369.60M
Net Income139.90M158.50M171.00M649.30M320.80M201.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.46B3.51B3.58B3.61B3.29B3.03B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments157.80M166.80M172.50M320.60M112.80M106.50M
Total Debt737.90M699.10M710.10M615.80M936.00M907.00M
Total Liabilities1.23B1.21B1.21B1.18B1.53B1.43B
Stockholders Equity2.22B2.28B2.35B2.42B1.75B1.59B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow79.80M137.60M156.80M160.90M190.50M166.30M
Operating Cash Flow226.60M319.40M337.50M313.30M349.20M287.50M
Investing Cash Flow-135.80M-139.10M-409.80M418.10M-218.40M-992.40M
Financing Cash Flow-128.20M-182.60M-52.40M-550.90M-111.90M722.40M

Croda International Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price2711.00
Price Trends
50DMA
2796.30
Negative
100DMA
2684.19
Positive
200DMA
2806.60
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-28.43
Positive
RSI
44.45
Neutral
STOCH
23.70
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:CRDA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 2711 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2742.30, below the 50-day MA of 2796.30, and below the 200-day MA of 2806.60, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -28.43 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.45 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 23.70 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:CRDA.

Croda International Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
£555.78M18.716.22%9.22%0.58%61.53%
67
Neutral
£140.31M12.908.02%3.95%1.12%-0.70%
65
Neutral
£3.91B27.926.17%3.50%2.36%-13.99%
64
Neutral
£918.66M-16.223.37%1.34%-11.78%-92.61%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
60
Neutral
£3.37B-26.09-5.62%3.85%-4.60%-126.46%
51
Neutral
£97.15M-1.16-7.26%-4.41%2.29%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:CRDA
Croda International
2,711.00
-606.47
-18.28%
GB:ELM
Elementis
166.80
31.70
23.46%
GB:JMAT
Johnson Matthey
2,000.00
652.01
48.37%
GB:SYNT
Synthomer
58.60
-112.40
-65.73%
GB:TET
Treatt plc
213.00
-250.71
-54.07%
GB:VCT
Victrex
670.00
-358.58
-34.86%

Croda International Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Croda International Enhances Stakeholder Engagement with Share Transactions
Positive
Nov 11, 2025

Croda International Plc has announced a series of share transactions involving its key managerial personnel under the company’s Share Incentive Plan. The transactions, conducted on November 10, 2025, involved the purchase of partnership shares and the awarding of matching shares to executives and committee members, reflecting the company’s commitment to aligning management interests with shareholder value. This move is likely to strengthen the company’s internal stakeholder engagement and enhance its market positioning by incentivizing its leadership team.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Croda International Achieves 6.5% Sales Growth in Q3 2025 Amid Challenging Market
Positive
Oct 16, 2025

Croda International reported a 6.5% increase in third-quarter sales for 2025, reaching £425 million, driven by growth in Beauty Actives, Fragrances and Flavours, and Crop Protection. Despite a challenging market environment, the company is on track with its transformation plan, aiming for £25 million in cost savings this year and £100 million by 2027, which supports its unchanged full-year outlook.

Business Operations and Strategy
Croda International Announces Managerial Share Transactions
Positive
Oct 14, 2025

Croda International Plc announced a notification regarding transactions by individuals in managerial roles, involving the purchase of shares under the company’s Share Incentive Plan. This move reflects an internal alignment of interests between the company’s management and its shareholders, potentially strengthening stakeholder confidence and reinforcing the company’s market position.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Croda International Executives Reinforce Stakeholder Alignment with Share Purchases
Positive
Oct 8, 2025

Croda International Plc has announced a notification regarding transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities (PDMRs) and their closely associated persons. The transactions involved the purchase of ordinary shares under the company’s Share Incentive Plan through dividend reinvestment. This move reflects the ongoing commitment of the company’s executives and key personnel to align their interests with those of shareholders, potentially strengthening stakeholder confidence in Croda’s strategic direction.

Executive/Board Changes
Croda International Announces CFO Share Award Vesting
Neutral
Oct 1, 2025

Croda International Plc has announced the vesting of a Buy-Out Award for its Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Richard Oxley, involving 2,051 ordinary shares. This transaction, conducted on September 30, 2025, underlines the company’s ongoing commitment to rewarding its key personnel through share-based incentives, potentially impacting stakeholder confidence and the company’s market positioning.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Croda International Announces Sharesave Scheme Options for Key Executives
Positive
Sep 12, 2025

Croda International Plc has announced the grant of options under its Sharesave Scheme for 2023, involving several key executives and committee members. This move is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to incentivize its leadership and align their interests with shareholders, potentially impacting the company’s operational focus and stakeholder engagement positively.

Business Operations and Strategy
Croda International Aligns Management Interests with Shareholders Through Share Incentive Plan
Positive
Sep 11, 2025

Croda International Plc announced the purchase of shares under its Share Incentive Plan by Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited on behalf of persons discharging managerial responsibilities (PDMRs). This transaction, involving ordinary shares, is part of the company’s efforts to align the interests of its management with those of its shareholders, potentially impacting the company’s governance and stakeholder relations positively.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025