Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP)
NYSE:KOP
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Koppers Holdings (KOP) AI Stock Analysis

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KOP

Koppers Holdings

(NYSE:KOP)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$29.00
▲(0.21% Upside)
Koppers Holdings' overall stock score is primarily influenced by its financial performance, which shows resilience in cash flow despite declining revenue and profitability margins. The technical analysis indicates a bearish trend, and the valuation suggests the stock may be overvalued. The earnings call provided mixed signals, with strong cost control but declining sales and earnings forecasts.
Positive Factors
Cash Flow Generation
Strong cash flow generation enhances financial flexibility, enabling the company to invest in growth opportunities and manage debt effectively.
Cost Control
Effective cost management can improve profitability and margins, providing a buffer against revenue pressures and enhancing long-term financial health.
Strategic Simplification
Strategic simplification can streamline operations, reduce costs, and focus resources on core, high-margin areas, improving overall business efficiency.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue
Declining revenue indicates challenges in maintaining market share and demand, potentially impacting long-term growth and profitability.
High Debt Levels
High leverage can limit financial flexibility and increase risk, especially in downturns, potentially affecting long-term sustainability.
Performance Chemicals Segment Challenges
Challenges in the Performance Chemicals segment may hinder revenue diversification and growth, affecting overall business performance.

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

Koppers Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKoppers Holdings Inc. is a global provider of treated wood products, wood preservation chemicals, and carbon compounds. The company operates through two main segments: the Railroad and Utility Products segment, which supplies products such as treated railroad ties and utility poles, and the Performance Chemicals segment, which offers a range of chemical products including wood preservatives. Koppers serves various industries, including transportation, utility, and construction, with a commitment to sustainability and innovative solutions.
How the Company Makes MoneyKoppers Holdings generates revenue primarily through the sale of treated wood products and chemical solutions. Key revenue streams include the sale of railroad ties, utility poles, and various wood preservation chemicals. The Railroad and Utility Products segment constitutes a significant portion of the company's earnings, driven by consistent demand from the transportation and utility sectors. Additionally, Koppers benefits from partnerships with major railroads and utility companies, which provide a stable customer base. The Performance Chemicals segment also contributes to revenue through the sale of specialty chemicals, which are used in various applications across different industries. Overall, Koppers' focus on innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships plays a crucial role in enhancing its revenue-generating capabilities.

Koppers Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 07, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong cost control measures and ongoing strategic business simplification efforts, alongside safety achievements and positive developments in the Utility and Industrial Products segment. However, these positives were balanced by significant declines in sales and adjusted EPS, challenges in the Performance Chemicals and Carbon Materials and Chemicals segments, and a downward revision of the 2025 sales and earnings forecast.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Cost Control and EBITDA Margin Improvement
Despite a 12% decrease in sales, the company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $70.9 million, with margins not seen in recent years due to diligent cost control efforts.
Safety Achievements
The company reported a 29% increase in leading safety activities, leading to a 23% decline in recordable injuries and a 72% reduction in serious safety incidents.
Strategic Business Simplification
The company continued portfolio simplification by selling the Railroad Structures business and closing the phthalic anhydride plant, which had been margin dilutive.
Strong Performance in Utility and Industrial Products
Volumes increased by 6% year-over-year, with the company expanding its product offering by adding Douglas fir species.
Positive Forecast for Catalyst Initiative
The Catalyst initiative is expected to deliver $80 million in ongoing benefits by 2028, with significant cost savings and process improvements already underway.
Negative Updates
Decline in Sales and Adjusted EPS
Sales for Q3 2025 decreased by 12% compared to Q3 2024, and adjusted EPS fell to $1.21 from $1.37 the previous year.
Performance Chemicals (PC) Segment Challenges
PC sales declined by 18%, driven by a 19% decrease in volumes due to market share shifts and higher raw material costs.
Railroad Products and Services (RPS) Sales Volume Decline
Treated tie sales units were down 7% compared to the prior year, with Class I units down almost across the board.
Challenges in Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC) Segment
CMC segment sales decreased by 16% year-over-year, impacted by the discontinuation of phthalic anhydride production and lower sales prices.
Revised Downward Sales and Earnings Forecast
The company revised its 2025 sales guidance to $1.9 billion from $2.1 billion in 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA forecast of $255-260 million compared to $262 million in 2024.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of 2025, Koppers provided guidance indicating a mixed financial outlook amidst ongoing market challenges. The company's sales were down by 12% compared to Q3 2024, amounting to $485 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was reported at $70.9 million, a decrease from $77.4 million in the previous year, yet the company maintained a margin of 14.6%. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) fell from $1.37 in the prior year to $1.21. The company highlighted a strategic focus on cost control, with selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) reduced by 14%, equating to $19 million in savings. Consolidated sales guidance for 2025 was revised to $1.9 billion from $2.1 billion in 2024. The adjusted EBITDA forecast was adjusted to a range of $255 million to $260 million, compared to $262 million in 2024, with adjusted EPS projected to range from $4.00 to $4.15 for the year. Despite these challenges, Koppers continued to generate strong free cash flow and focused on reducing its debt, ending the quarter with $885 million in net debt and a net leverage ratio of 3.4x.

Koppers Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Koppers Holdings faces challenges with declining revenue and profitability margins, but shows strength in cash flow generation. The high debt level poses a risk, though it has been reduced recently. Overall, the company demonstrates resilience in cash management despite pressures on revenue and profitability.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Koppers Holdings has experienced a decline in revenue growth, with a negative growth rate of -3.46% TTM. Gross profit margin has decreased to 15.78% TTM from 20.20% in 2024, indicating pressure on cost management. Net profit margin also declined to 0.84% TTM, reflecting reduced profitability. However, the company maintains a positive EBIT and EBITDA margin, although both have decreased compared to previous years.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The company has a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88 TTM, indicating significant leverage, though it has improved from 2.09 in 2024. Return on equity has decreased to 3.13% TTM, showing reduced efficiency in generating profits from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio remains stable, suggesting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Koppers Holdings shows a strong free cash flow growth rate of 32.27% TTM, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.59, suggesting adequate cash flow relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.63 TTM reflects a healthy conversion of earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.92B2.09B2.15B1.98B1.68B1.67B
Gross Profit420.60M422.60M424.50M344.60M334.10M360.40M
EBITDA240.03M243.30M250.40M191.30M185.20M217.30M
Net Income16.10M52.40M89.20M63.40M85.20M122.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.89B1.89B1.84B1.71B1.66B1.60B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments37.90M43.90M66.50M33.30M45.50M38.50M
Total Debt1.03B1.02B930.70M904.50M875.10M878.40M
Total Liabilities1.35B1.40B1.33B1.31B1.25B1.25B
Stockholders Equity545.60M488.70M498.90M399.40M406.60M341.70M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow95.10M42.00M25.60M-3.00M-22.00M58.00M
Operating Cash Flow152.10M119.40M146.10M102.30M103.00M127.80M
Investing Cash Flow-57.40M-173.30M-116.00M-114.80M-89.50M5.60M
Financing Cash Flow-100.00M35.70M2.60M4.80M-4.00M-128.70M

Koppers Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price28.94
Price Trends
50DMA
28.01
Positive
100DMA
29.78
Negative
200DMA
29.29
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.18
Negative
RSI
56.28
Neutral
STOCH
79.20
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KOP, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 28.94 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 28.35, above the 50-day MA of 28.01, and below the 200-day MA of 29.29, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.18 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 56.28 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 79.20 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KOP.

Koppers Holdings Risk Analysis

Koppers Holdings disclosed 40 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 (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
$4.48B12.224.56%-6.73%
67
Neutral
$77.88M27.354.18%1.24%3.46%-34.80%
66
Neutral
$296.03M13.538.75%-4.24%-23.16%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
58
Neutral
$567.63M36.072.99%1.11%-9.62%-76.62%
47
Neutral
$268.40M-7.24%1.73%-4.31%-206.57%
46
Neutral
$536.15M7.94-5.00%4.07%<0.01%-143.88%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KOP
Koppers Holdings
28.94
-9.39
-24.50%
HDSN
Hudson Tech
6.79
0.90
15.28%
KRO
Kronos Worldwide
4.73
-6.29
-57.08%
NTIC
Northern Technologies International
8.06
-5.05
-38.52%
SSL
Sasol
7.05
1.62
29.83%
OEC
Orion Engineered
4.78
-13.14
-73.33%

Koppers Holdings Corporate Events

Koppers’ Earnings Call: Mixed Sentiment Amid Challenges
Nov 9, 2025

Koppers’ recent earnings call presented a mixed sentiment, reflecting both achievements and challenges. The company showcased strong cost control measures and strategic business simplification efforts, which were positively received. Safety achievements and positive developments in the Utility and Industrial Products segment were also highlighted. However, these positives were tempered by significant declines in sales and adjusted EPS, challenges in the Performance Chemicals and Carbon Materials and Chemicals segments, and a downward revision of the 2025 sales and earnings forecast.

Koppers Reports Mixed Third Quarter 2025 Results
Nov 8, 2025

Koppers Holdings Inc., a global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals, and carbon compounds, has released its third-quarter 2025 financial results, reflecting its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and improve profitability.

Executive/Board Changes
Koppers Holdings Expands Board with New Director
Positive
Nov 5, 2025

On November 5, 2025, Koppers Holdings Inc. expanded its Board of Directors from eight to nine members by electing Laura Posadas as a new director. Ms. Posadas, an experienced executive in the specialty chemicals industry, currently serves as CEO of Canlak Coatings Inc. and brings a strong track record of driving innovation and strategic growth. Her appointment reflects Koppers’ efforts to refresh its board with diverse skillsets to support the company’s future direction and transformation.

The most recent analyst rating on (KOP) stock is a Hold with a $29.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Koppers Holdings stock, see the KOP Stock Forecast page.

Koppers’ Earnings Call: Balancing Achievements and Challenges
Aug 12, 2025

Koppers’ Latest Earnings Call: A Mixed Bag of Achievements and Challenges

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: Nov 11, 2025