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Koppers (KOP)
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Koppers Holdings (KOP) AI Stock Analysis

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KOP

Koppers Holdings

(NYSE:KOP)

Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$33.00
▲(7.70% Upside)
Koppers Holdings' overall score reflects a mixed financial performance with significant internal improvements overshadowed by external challenges. The company's strategic initiatives and corporate events provide a positive outlook, but high leverage and valuation concerns remain key risks.
Positive Factors
Cost Reduction and Profitability
Cost reduction efforts, including a 14% reduction in SG&A expenses and a decrease in headcount, enabled the company to achieve an adjusted EBITDA margin of over 15% for the first time in eight years.
Operating Leverage
Operating leverage was evident in Q2, with all three business segments showing upside potential if interest rates retreat and the economy cooperates.
Strategic Transformation
KOP has initiated a strategic transformation called Catalyst, targeted at improving profitability to drive long-term shareholder value.
Negative Factors
Market Share and Volume Decline
PC net sales decreased 14.8% due primarily to a 15% volume decrease mostly in the Americas resulting from a shift in U.S. market share.
Sales Decline
Sales were down by 10.4% in Q2, reflecting challenges in the operating environment.
Segment Challenges
The Performance Chemicals segment is challenged in 2025 with market share losses and economic uncertainty as headwinds.

Koppers Holdings (KOP) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Koppers Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKoppers Holdings Inc. (KOP) is a global leader in providing treated wood products, chemicals, and carbon compounds, serving various industries including railroad, utility, and construction. The company operates in three primary segments: Railroad and Utility Products, which offers treated wood products for railway and utility infrastructure; Performance Chemicals, which provides specialty chemicals for wood preservation and other applications; and Carbon Materials and Chemicals, which produces carbon-related products for various industrial applications. Koppers is committed to sustainability and innovation, focusing on developing eco-friendly solutions and enhancing operational efficiency.
How the Company Makes MoneyKoppers Holdings generates revenue through several key streams, primarily from the sale of treated wood products, specialty chemicals, and carbon materials. The Railroad and Utility Products segment contributes significantly to revenue by supplying treated wood ties, utility poles, and related products to customers in the transportation and utility sectors. The Performance Chemicals segment earns revenue through the production and sale of wood preservatives and other specialty chemicals, which are used in various applications, including construction and manufacturing. The Carbon Materials and Chemicals segment generates income through the production of carbon black and other carbon-based products, which are utilized in tires, coatings, and other industrial applications. Strategic partnerships with key players in the rail and utility industries, along with a focus on expanding its market presence in emerging economies, further contribute to Koppers' earnings.

Koppers Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 08, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -7.91%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 31, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of strong internal efficiency improvements and profitability achievements, overshadowed by broad demand challenges and revised guidance due to external market conditions and tariff impacts.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Achievement
Koppers posted adjusted EBITDA margins north of 15% for the first time in 8 years, indicating strong profitability despite a 10% decrease in sales year-over-year.
Significant Cost Reductions
Year-to-date SG&A expenses were reduced by 13% compared to the prior year, and the number of full-time employees decreased by 11% since April 2024.
Cash Flow and Debt Management
Generated over $50 million in cash flow in the quarter and deployed $24 million of capital to dividends, share repurchases, and debt reduction.
Railroad Products and Services (RUPS) Segment Performance
Achieved record profitability in the RUPS segment with a 12.6% margin, the highest since 2016, due to cost reductions and pricing improvements.
Corporate Sustainability Recognition
Koppers was named one of TIME Magazine's America's Best Midsized Companies of 2025 for exceptional performance in employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and sustainability transparency.
Negative Updates
Demand Challenges Across Segments
Experiencing sluggish demand across the portfolio, with PC volumes down a few percent in the first 6 months and Class I demand tailing off in the second half.
Performance Chemicals (PC) Segment Decline
PC sales decreased by $26 million or 15%, with a 15% volume decrease mostly in the Americas due to market share shifts in the U.S.
Revised Guidance and Tariff Impacts
Adjusted EBITDA forecast revised down to $250-$270 million, with tariffs expected to impact results by $5 million in the second half.
Postponed Investor Day
Decision to postpone the Investor Day event due to economic uncertainty and ongoing Catalyst transformation efforts.
Company Guidance
During the second quarter of 2025, Koppers reported a range of metrics, showcasing both progress and challenges. The company reduced SG&A expenses by 13% year-to-date and achieved a significant milestone by posting adjusted EBITDA margins above 15% for the first time in eight years. Cash flow generation exceeded $50 million, despite a sluggish demand environment that saw sales decrease by 10.4% year-over-year to $505 million. The company also managed to lower its capital expenditure run rate below $60 million annually. Koppers' cost-cutting measures included an 11% reduction in full-time employees over 14 months and the early cessation of production at its phthalic anhydride plant. Furthermore, the company sold its Railroad Structures business and deployed $24 million towards dividends, share repurchases, and debt reduction. Despite a challenging demand environment, Koppers achieved a 9% year-over-year improvement in adjusted EPS. However, the company revised its full-year guidance downwards, expecting sales between $1.9 billion to $2 billion and adjusted EBITDA between $250 million and $270 million, reflecting continued demand challenges and additional impacts such as tariffs.

Koppers Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Koppers Holdings faces challenges with declining revenues and high leverage. While it maintains operational efficiency, its profitability and cash flow generation are constrained. The high debt levels present a risk, but the company shows resilience with moderate cash flow management.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Koppers Holdings shows a mixed financial performance in recent periods. The gross profit margin for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) is 20.11%, with a net profit margin of 1.24%, indicating low profitability. Revenue has declined compared to the previous year, showing a negative growth rate of -1.97%. EBIT and EBITDA margins stand at 6.79% and 8.77% respectively, reflecting moderate operational efficiency amidst challenging market conditions.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company's balance sheet reflects a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15, which poses a leverage risk. The return on equity (ROE) for TTM is at 5.12%, signifying modest returns to shareholders. The equity ratio is 26.34%, highlighting a relatively low proportion of equity financing, which could affect financial stability.
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
Koppers Holdings' cash flow performance is under pressure, with a free cash flow growth rate of 3.81% for TTM, indicating constrained cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 4.27, showing strong cash conversion relative to net income. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.71, suggesting limited cash available after capital expenditures.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.99B2.09B2.15B1.98B1.68B1.67B
Gross Profit406.20M422.60M424.50M344.60M334.10M360.40M
EBITDA163.20M213.00M252.60M196.30M217.80M213.10M
Net Income15.10M52.40M89.20M63.40M85.20M122.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.93B1.89B1.84B1.71B1.66B1.60B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments38.40M43.90M66.50M33.30M45.50M38.50M
Total Debt1.07B1.02B930.70M904.50M875.10M878.40M
Total Liabilities1.40B1.40B1.33B1.31B1.25B1.25B
Stockholders Equity526.80M488.70M498.90M399.40M406.60M341.70M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow71.90M42.00M25.60M-3.00M-22.00M57.30M
Operating Cash Flow132.30M119.40M146.10M102.30M103.00M126.40M
Investing Cash Flow-71.00M-173.30M-116.00M-114.80M-89.50M5.60M
Financing Cash Flow-72.60M35.70M2.60M4.80M-4.00M-128.70M

Koppers Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price30.64
Price Trends
50DMA
32.49
Negative
100DMA
29.94
Positive
200DMA
31.21
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.68
Positive
RSI
44.31
Neutral
STOCH
54.87
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KOP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 30.64 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 32.22, below the 50-day MA of 32.49, and below the 200-day MA of 31.21, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.68 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.31 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 54.87 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KOP.

Koppers Holdings Risk Analysis

Koppers Holdings disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Koppers Holdings reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Koppers Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (44)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
65
Neutral
$1.14B19.894.77%3.04%2.64%66.43%
65
Neutral
$599.68M39.663.11%0.78%-3.79%-79.76%
63
Neutral
$1.94B1,360.130.13%0.70%-3.93%-97.39%
61
Neutral
$604.08M43.002.92%0.98%-6.20%-80.00%
60
Neutral
$1.00B17.67-1.97%4.93%-124.60%
55
Neutral
$1.96B-106.83%-14.45%49.92%
44
Neutral
C$925.44M-8.84-0.23%2.69%24.64%-41.43%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KOP
Koppers Holdings
30.64
-6.52
-17.55%
MTX
Minerals Technologies
61.75
-12.01
-16.28%
SCL
Stepan Company
50.37
-23.38
-31.70%
OEC
Orion Engineered
10.68
-6.30
-37.10%
NGVT
Ingevity
55.09
19.12
53.16%
ECVT
Ecovyst
8.74
1.91
27.96%

Koppers Holdings Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Koppers Holdings Amends Credit Agreement for Flexibility
Positive
Jun 18, 2025

On June 17, 2025, Koppers Inc. amended its Credit Agreement, extending the maturity date of its $800 million revolving credit facility to June 17, 2030, or 91 days before the maturity of its secured term loan facility. The amendment also adjusts the financial covenant and interest rate margins, enhancing Koppers’ financial flexibility and lowering borrowing costs, reflecting confidence from banking partners.

The most recent analyst rating on (KOP) stock is a Buy with a $64.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Koppers Holdings stock, see the KOP Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Koppers Holdings Appoints James Sullivan as President
Positive
May 29, 2025

On May 29, 2025, Koppers Holdings Inc. announced the appointment of James A. Sullivan as President and Chief Transformation Officer, effective June 1, 2025. This new role is part of the company’s Catalyst Initiative, aimed at driving enterprise-wide transformation and improving performance. Sullivan, who has been with Koppers since 2013, will lead the Transformation Office to implement strategic changes and enhance the company’s margin and cash flow profile.

The most recent analyst rating on (KOP) stock is a Buy with a $64.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Koppers Holdings stock, see the KOP Stock Forecast page.

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: Aug 14, 2025