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Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the six brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $187.00.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on KWR. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Quaker Houghton from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price objective (up from $172.00) on shares of Quaker Houghton in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Zacks Research upgraded Quaker Houghton from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Wall Street Zen raised Quaker Houghton from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Quaker Houghton from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton Stock Performance KWR opened at $161.48 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $159.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $146.73. Quaker Houghton has a 1 year low of $112.18 and a 1 year high of $183.01. The company has a market capitalization of $2.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.46 and a quick ratio of 1.70. Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.53. The company had revenue of $532.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $504.63 million. Quaker Houghton had a return on equity of 9.55% and a net margin of 4.94%.Quaker Houghton’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.71 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Quaker Houghton will post 7.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quaker Houghton announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, May 13th that authorizes the company to buyback $250.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty chemicals company to reacquire up to 10.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Quaker Houghton Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 16th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This is a positive change from Quaker Houghton’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 16th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Quaker Houghton’s payout ratio is presently 36.19%.

Insider Activity In other news, Director William H. Osborne sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.31, for a total value of $100,986.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 616 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $103,678.96. This represents a 49.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Quaker Houghton Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Quaker Houghton by 114.3% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 23,139 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $2,860,000 after purchasing an additional 12,341 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its stake in Quaker Houghton by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $204,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 4.4% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,211 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $1,015,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 29.2% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 95,751 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $11,836,000 after purchasing an additional 21,665 shares during the period. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in Quaker Houghton by 44.4% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 9,873 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $1,220,000 after buying an additional 3,034 shares during the last quarter. 77.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Quaker Houghton Company Profile (Get Free Report)

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.

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Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.

Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this specialty chemical company is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.

The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.

For Quaker Chemical, strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year.

The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $2.16 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.9%.

Over the last 30 days, four estimates have moved higher for Quaker Chemical compared to no negative revisions. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 6.34%.

Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the company is expected to earn $7.85 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +11.8%.

In terms of estimate revisions, the trend for the current year also appears quite encouraging for Quaker Chemical. Over the past month, five estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revisions, helping the consensus estimate increase 9.66%.

Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, Quaker Chemical currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.

Bottom LineQuaker Chemical shares have added 10.7% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are betting on its impressive estimate revisions. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away to benefit from its earnings growth prospects.

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) , a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Quaker Chemical currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if KWR is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this specialty chemical company holds up.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For KWR, shares are up 5.87% over the past week while the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry is up 2.72% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 16.14% compares favorably with the industry's 5.08% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Over the past quarter, shares of Quaker Chemical have risen 26.13%, and are up 35.3% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 5.1% and 22.6%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of KWR's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now KWR is averaging 138,468 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with KWR.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost KWR's consensus estimate, increasing from $7.16 to $7.72 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 4 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that KWR is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Quaker Chemical on your short list.

Have you looked into how Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) performed internationally during the quarter ending June 2026? Considering the widespread global presence of this specialty chemical company, examining the trends in international revenues is essential for assessing its financial resilience and prospects for growth.

The global economy today is deeply interlinked, making a company's engagement with international markets a critical factor in determining its financial success and growth path. It has become essential for investors to comprehend how much a company relies on these foreign markets, as this understanding reveals the firm's potential for consistent earnings, its capacity to harness different economic cycles, and its overall growth prospects.

Being present in international markets serves as a counterbalance to domestic economic challenges while offering chances to engage with more rapidly evolving economies. However, this kind of diversification introduces challenges like currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainties and varying market trends.

Our review of KWR's last quarterly performance uncovered some notable trends in the revenue contributions from its international markets, which are commonly analyzed and tracked by Wall Street experts.

For the quarter, the company's total revenue amounted to $532.55 million, experiencing an increase of 10.2% year over year. Next, we'll explore the breakdown of KWR's international revenue to understand the importance of its overseas business operations.

Trends in KWR's Revenue from International MarketsAsia/Pacific generated $137.6 million in revenues for the company in the last quarter, constituting 25.8% of the total. This represented a surprise of +5.2% compared to the $130.8 million projected by Wall Street analysts. Comparatively, in the previous quarter, Asia/Pacific accounted for $124.67 million (26%), and in the year-ago quarter, it contributed $122.42 million (25.3%) to the total revenue.

During the quarter, EMEA contributed $158.44 million in revenue, making up 29.8% of the total revenue. When compared to the consensus estimate of $147 million, this meant a surprise of +7.78%. Looking back, EMEA contributed $142.08 million, or 29.6%, in the previous quarter, and $139.92 million, or 29%, in the same quarter of the previous year.

Anticipated Revenues in Overseas MarketsIt is projected by analysts on Wall Street that Quaker Chemical will post revenues of $520.59 million for the ongoing fiscal quarter, an increase of 5.4% from the year-ago quarter. The expected contributions from Asia/Pacific and EMEA to this revenue are 26.7%, and 28%, translating into $139.1 million, and $145.8 million, respectively.

For the full year, the company is expected to generate $2.01 billion in total revenue, up 6.6% from the previous year. Revenues from Asia/Pacific and EMEA are expected to constitute 26.5% ($533.9 million), and 28.6% ($574.9 million) of the total, respectively.

Key TakeawaysQuaker Chemical's leaning on foreign markets for its revenue stream presents a mix of chances and challenges. Therefore, a vigilant watch on its international revenue movements can greatly aid in projecting the company's future direction.

In a world where international interdependencies and geopolitical conflicts are ever-increasing, Wall Street analysts closely monitor these trends for companies having international presence to adjust their earnings forecasts. Of course, there are several other factors, including a company's standing within its home borders, that influence analysts' earnings forecasts.

At Zacks, we place significant importance on a company's evolving earnings outlook. This is based on empirical evidence demonstrating its strong influence on a stock's short-term price movements. Invariably, there exists a positive relationship -- an upward revision in earnings estimates is typically mirrored by a rise in the stock price.

The Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool, comes with an externally validated impressive track record. It effectively utilizes shifts in earnings projections to act as a dependable barometer for forecasting short-term stock price trends.

At the moment, Quaker Chemical has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), signifying that it may outperform the overall market trend in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

A Review of Quaker Chemical's Recent Stock Market PerformanceOver the past month, the stock has seen a decline of 0.4% in its value, whereas the Zacks S&P 500 composite has posted an increase of 0.2%. The Zacks Basic Materials sector, Quaker Chemical's industry group, remained unchanged over the identical span. In the past three months, there's been an increase of 8.8% in the company's stock price, against a rise of 4.2% in the S&P 500 index. The broader sector has declined by 5% during this interval.

Quaker Chemical Corporation (KWR) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Q2'26 net sales of $532.6 million, an increase of 10% Y/Y Q2'26 net income of $26.8 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.55 Sales volumes increased 7% Y/Y primarily driven by new business wins across all segments Q2'26 non-GAAP net income of $37.9 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.19, a 28% increase Y/Y Delivered Q2'26 adjusted EBITDA of $85.2 million, a 13% increase Y/Y Increased quarterly dividend by approximately 4.3% and repurchased $24.2 million of shares in Q2'26; announced new $250 million stock repurchase program , /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton ("the Company") (NYSE: KWR), the global leader in industrial process fluids, announced its second quarter 2026 results today. 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net sales

$       532,550

$       483,400

$   1,013,029

$      926,314

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation

26,835

(66,580)

46,504

(53,658)

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
common shareholders – diluted

1.55

(3.78)

2.68

(3.04)

Non-GAAP net income *

37,903

30,000

66,277

58,029

Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share *

2.19

1.71

3.82

3.29

Adjusted EBITDA *

85,166

75,479

157,696

144,527

*

Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations section below for additional information

Second Quarter 2026 Consolidated Results

Net sales in the second quarter of 2026 were $532.6 million, an increase of 10% compared to $483.4 million in the second quarter of 2025. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in sales volumes of 7%, a favorable impact from foreign currency translation of 2%, and an improvement in selling price and product mix of 1%. The increase in sales volumes compared to the prior year was primarily the result of net new business wins across all segments.

The Company reported net income in the second quarter of 2026 of $26.8 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $66.6 million, or $3.78 loss per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2025. Excluding non-recurring and non-core items in each period, the Company's non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $37.9 million and $2.19, respectively, in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $30.0 million and $1.71, respectively, in the second quarter of 2025. The Company generated adjusted EBITDA of $85.2 million in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of approximately 13% compared to $75.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily driven by the increase in net sales, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses. See the Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations section below for additional information.

Joe Berquist, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "We achieved our fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year profitability growth in Q2 2026, resulting in record adjusted EBITDA. Net sales increased 10% against prior year, driven by strong share gains and pricing during a period of significant raw material inflation. Volume growth reflected new business wins across all regions that exceeded the high end of our target range, while underlying markets were flat to slightly positive. Demand has remained steady against the backdrop of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have observed selective areas of market growth. We experienced modest pre-buy activity from our customers early in the period in reaction to the conflict, with normal seasonal patterns returning by the end of the quarter. I'm proud of our team's ability to maintain reliable supply to our customers despite heightened volatility.

Looking ahead, we expect stable demand trends entering the third quarter with flat to slightly positive end markets throughout the remainder of the year. We anticipate gross margin percentage to stabilize in the third quarter in the range of second quarter gross margins as we work through the timing of raw material cost inflation, inventory movements and price recovery actions. Our pricing and cost initiatives have kept us on track to exit the year within our target gross margin range. We anticipate meaningful revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth in 2026 supported by continued share gains, disciplined cost management, and the resilience of our global network."

Second Quarter 2026 Segment Results

The Company's second quarter of 2026 operating performance for each of its three reportable segments: (i) Americas; (ii) EMEA; and (iii) Asia/Pacific, is further described below. 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net Sales *

Americas

$      236,513

$      221,062

$      450,241

$      434,773

EMEA

158,436

139,923

300,519

269,201

Asia/Pacific

137,601

122,415

262,269

222,340

Total net sales

$      532,550

$      483,400

$   1,013,029

$      926,314

Segment operating earnings *

Americas

$       57,241

$       58,976

$      111,188

$      117,438

EMEA

32,740

24,995

58,301

48,388

Asia/Pacific

36,559

28,715

70,835

54,645

Total segment operating earnings

$      126,540

$      112,686

$      240,324

$      220,471

*

Refer to the Segment Measures and Reconciliations section below for additional information

The following table summarizes the sales variances by reportable segment and consolidated operations in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter of 2025:

Sales volumes

Selling price &
product mix

Foreign
currency

Acquisition &
other

Total

Americas

4 %

1 %

2 %

— %

7 %

EMEA

7 %

4 %

2 %

— %

13 %

Asia/Pacific

10 %

1 %

1 %

— %

12 %

Consolidated

7 %

1 %

2 %

— %

10 %

Net sales in the Asia/Pacific segment increased 12% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, as a result of an increase in sales volumes, an increase in selling price and product mix, and a favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Net sales in the EMEA segment increased 13% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, due to an increase in sales volumes, an increase in selling price and product mix, and a favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Net sales in the Americas segment in the second quarter of 2026 increased 7% compared to the same period in 2025, due to an increase in sales volumes, an increase in selling price and product mix, and a favorable impact of foreign currency translation.

Underlying end market activity in the second quarter of 2026 was similar to prior year levels, while strong new business wins across all segments led to year-over-year volume growth compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in selling price and product mix in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 reflects pricing actions taken to offset higher raw material costs, as well as changes in the mix of products and services, and the impact of our index-based customer contracts.

Consolidated net sales increased approximately 11% compared to the first quarter of 2026, driven by an increase in sales volumes and an increase in selling price and product mix across all segments.

Segment operating earnings increased in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific segments in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the improvement in net sales and an improvement in segment operating margins, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses. Segment operating earnings decreased in the Americas segment in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the prior year due to higher raw material costs and SG&A expenses, partially offset by an increase in net sales. Segment operating earnings increased in all three segments in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by an increase in net sales in all three segments and improved operating margins in the EMEA segment, partially offset by a decrease in operating margins in the Asia/Pacific and Americas segments.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Highlights

Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $38.5 million for the same period in 2025. The Company's decrease in operating cash flow year-over-year primarily reflects higher net cash outflows from working capital, partially offset by improved operating performance and lower outflows from restructuring activities.

As of June 30, 2026, the Company's total gross debt was $876.1 million and its cash and cash equivalents was $155.1 million, which resulted in net debt of approximately $721.0 million. The Company's net debt divided by its trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA was approximately 2.3x.

In the second quarter of 2026, the Company announced a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $250 million of Quaker Chemical Corporation common stock, which replaced the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan and has no expiration date. In the second quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased 170,568 shares for approximately $24.2 million.

Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations

The information in this press release includes non-GAAP (unaudited) financial information that includes EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information as they enhance a reader's understanding of the financial performance of the Company, facilitate a comparison among fiscal periods, and exclude items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. Non-GAAP results are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our definitions of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, as discussed and reconciled below to the most comparable GAAP measures, may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies. 

The Company presents EBITDA, which is calculated as net income attributable to the Company before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies. The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as EBITDA plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. In addition, the Company presents non-GAAP operating income, which is calculated as operating income plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. The Company also presents non-GAAP gross profit, which is calculated as gross profit plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. Additionally, the Company presents non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating margin, and non-GAAP gross margin, which are calculated as the percentage of adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP operating income, and non-GAAP gross profit to consolidated net sales, respectively. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry, as well as by management in assessing the operating performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

Additionally, the Company presents non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share as additional performance measures. Non-GAAP net income is calculated as adjusted EBITDA, defined above, less depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies, in each case adjusted, as applicable, for any depreciation, amortization, interest or tax impacts resulting from the non-core items identified in the reconciliation of net income attributable to the Company to adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share is calculated as non-GAAP net income per diluted share as accounted for under the "two-class share method." The Company believes that non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry as well as by management in assessing the performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

As it relates to future projections for the Company as well as other forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has not provided guidance for comparable GAAP measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it is unable to determine with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items necessary to calculate such measures without unreasonable effort. These items include, but are not limited to, certain non-recurring or non-core items the Company may record that could materially impact net income. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the U.S. GAAP reported results for the guidance period. 

The Company's reference to trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA within this press release refers to the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $312.4 million, which consists of (i) the six months ended June 30, 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $157.7 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below, and (ii) the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $299.2 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations included in the Company's fourth quarter and full year 2025 results press release dated February 23, 2026, less (iii) the six months ended June 30, 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $144.5 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below. 

Certain of the prior period non-GAAP financial measures presented in the following tables have been adjusted to conform with current period presentation. The following tables reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures (unaudited) to their most directly comparable GAAP (unaudited) financial measures (dollars in thousands unless otherwise noted, except per share amounts):

Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Margin Reconciliations

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Gross profit

$   189,204

$   171,723

$   365,939

$   332,983

Acquisition-related step-up inventory amortization

—

6,022

—

6,022

Gain on inventory and other adjustments

—

(3,604)

—

(3,604)

Non-GAAP gross profit

$   189,204

$   174,141

$   365,939

$   335,401

Non-GAAP gross margin (%)

35.5 %

36.0 %

36.1 %

36.2 %

Non-GAAP Operating Income and Margin Reconciliations

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Operating income (loss)

$     40,603

$   (52,510)

$     74,192

$    (24,886)

Acquisition-related step-up inventory amortization

—

6,022

—

6,022

Restructuring and related charges, net

8,116

8,793

15,497

23,383

Acquisition-related expenses

219

803

934

4,133

Gain on inventory and other adjustments

—

(3,927)

—

(3,927)

Business transformation costs

4,113

—

5,772

—

Impairment charges

—

88,840

—

88,840

Duplicate headquarter lease costs

564

—

886

—

Acquisition-related depreciation and amortization

1,586

1,681

3,194

1,681

Other charges

86

939

161

1,165

Non-GAAP operating income

$     55,287

$     50,641

$    100,636

$     96,411

Non-GAAP operating margin (%)

10.4 %

10.5 %

9.9 %

10.4 %

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and
Non-GAAP Net Income Reconciliations

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation

$     26,835

$   (66,580)

$     46,504

$    (53,658)

Depreciation and amortization (a)

25,595

23,921

51,465

44,751

Interest expense

9,873

12,779

19,752

22,324

Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated
companies (b)

11,172

5,472

18,317

13,014

EBITDA

73,475

(24,408)

136,038

26,431

Equity income in a captive insurance company

(3,028)

(2,075)

(3,635)

(2,746)

Acquisition-related step-up inventory amortization

—

6,022

—

6,022

Restructuring and related charges, net

8,116

8,793

15,497

23,383

Acquisition-related expenses

219

803

934

4,133

Gain on inventory and other adjustments

—

(3,927)

—

(3,927)

Business transformation costs

4,113

—

5,772

—

Pension and postretirement benefit costs, non-service components

326

449

577

882

Impairment charges

—

88,840

—

88,840

Product liability claim reimbursement

(1,000)

—

(1,000)

—

Currency conversion impacts of hyper-inflationary economies

584

652

755

1,187

(Gain) loss on acquisition-related hedges

—

(592)

—

1,351

Gain on sale of assets

—

(357)

—

(2,534)

Debt modification and extinguishment costs

1,711

—

1,711

—

Duplicate headquarter lease costs

564

—

886

—

Other charges

86

1,279

161

1,505

Adjusted EBITDA

$     85,166

$     75,479

$    157,696

$    144,527

Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)

16.0 %

15.6 %

15.6 %

15.6 %

Adjusted EBITDA

$     85,166

$     75,479

$    157,696

$    144,527

Less: Depreciation and amortization (a)

25,595

23,921

51,465

44,751

Less: Interest expense

9,873

12,779

19,752

22,324

Less: Taxes on income before equity in net income of
associated companies - adjusted (b)

13,381

10,460

23,396

21,104

Plus: Acquisition-related depreciation and amortization

1,586

1,681

3,194

1,681

Non-GAAP net income

$     37,903

$     30,000

$     66,277

$     58,029

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

Non-GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share Reconciliations

2026

2025

2026

2025

GAAP earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Quaker
     Chemical Corporation common shareholders

$          1.55

$         (3.78)

$          2.68

$         (3.04)

Equity income in a captive insurance company

(0.18)

(0.12)

(0.21)

(0.16)

Acquisition-related step-up inventory amortization

—

0.25

—

0.25

Restructuring and related charges, net

0.34

0.38

0.66

1.00

Acquisition-related expenses

0.01

0.05

0.04

0.19

Gain on inventory and other adjustments

—

(0.16)

—

(0.16)

Business transformation costs

0.18

—

0.25

—

Pension and postretirement benefit costs, non-service components

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.04

Impairment charges

—

4.91

—

4.91

Product liability claim reimbursement

(0.04)

—

(0.04)

—

Currency conversion impacts of hyper-inflationary economies

0.03

0.04

0.04

0.07

(Gain) loss on acquisition-related hedges

—

(0.02)

—

0.06

Gain on sale of assets

—

(0.02)

—

(0.11)

Debt modification and extinguishment costs

0.08

—

0.08

—

Duplicate headquarter lease costs

0.03

—

0.04

—

Other charges

0.01

0.04

0.01

0.04

Discrete tax items

0.10

0.05

0.12

0.13

Acquisition-related depreciation and amortization

0.07

0.07

0.13

0.07

Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share

$          2.19

$          1.71

$          3.82

$          3.29

a.

Depreciation and amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 each includes approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of amortization expense recorded within equity in net income of associated companies in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. This is attributable to the amortization of the fair value purchase accounting step-up in connection with the acquisition of the Company's 50% equity interest in Korea Houghton Corporation.

b.

Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted includes the Company's tax expense adjusted for the impact of any current and deferred income tax expense (benefit), as applicable, of the reconciling items presented in the reconciliation of Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation to adjusted EBITDA, above, determined utilizing the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which these adjustments occurred, subject to deductibility. This caption also includes the impact of specific tax charges and benefits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025.

Segment Measures and Reconciliations

Segment operating earnings for each of the Company's reportable segments are comprised of the segment's net sales less directly related product costs and other segment items. Operating expenses not directly attributable to the net sales of each respective segment, such as certain corporate and administrative costs and restructuring charges, are not included in segment operating earnings. Other items not specifically identified with the Company's reportable segments include Interest expense and Other income (expense), net. 

The following table presents information about the performance of the Company's reportable segments (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net Sales

Americas

$      236,513

$      221,062

$      450,241

$      434,773

EMEA

158,436

139,923

300,519

269,201

Asia/Pacific

137,601

122,415

262,269

222,340

Total net sales

$      532,550

$      483,400

$   1,013,029

$      926,314

Segment operating earnings

Americas

$       57,241

$       58,976

$      111,188

$      117,438

EMEA

32,740

24,995

58,301

48,388

Asia/Pacific

36,559

28,715

70,835

54,645

Total segment operating earnings

126,540

112,686

240,324

220,471

Restructuring and related charges, net

(8,116)

(8,793)

(15,497)

(23,383)

Impairment charges

—

(88,840)

—

(88,840)

Non-operating and administrative expenses

(60,203)

(50,860)

(115,290)

(101,577)

Depreciation of corporate assets and amortization

(17,618)

(16,703)

(35,345)

(31,557)

Operating income (loss)

40,603

(52,510)

74,192

(24,886)

Other income (expense), net

406

(653)

383

(1,362)

Interest expense

(9,873)

(12,779)

(19,752)

(22,324)

Income (loss) before taxes and equity in net income of
associated companies

$       31,136

$      (65,942)

$       54,823

$      (48,572)

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that fall under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We have based these forward-looking statements on assumptions, projections and expectations about future events that we believe are reasonable based on currently available information, including statements regarding the potential effects of economic downturns; tariffs, including retaliatory tariffs, "trade wars" and uncertainty surrounding changes in tariffs; inflation and global supply chain constraints on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition; our expectation that we will maintain sufficient liquidity and remain in compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facility; expectations about future demand and raw material costs; and statements regarding the impact of increased raw material costs and pricing initiatives. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance, and business, which may differ materially from our actual results, including but not limited to the potential benefits of acquisitions and divestitures, the impacts on our business as a result of global supply chain constraints and other macroeconomic stresses and uncertainties, including political and geopolitical events, civil disturbances and endemics/pandemics or extreme weather events and other natural disasters that may adversely affect regional economic conditions, and our current and future results and plans and statements that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "outlook," "target," "possible," "potential," "plan" or similar expressions. Such statements include information relating to current and future business activities, operational matters, capital spending, and financing sources. A major risk is that demand for the Company's products and services is largely derived from the demand for its customers' products, which subjects the Company to uncertainties related to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production slowdowns and shutdowns. Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, inflationary pressures, including increases in raw material costs; supply chain constraints and the impacts of economic downturns; customer financial instability; high interest rates and their impact on our and our customers' business operations; the impacts from acts of war, terrorism and military conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as economic and political actions taken by various government organizations; economic and political disruptions globally and the possibility of regime changes; the possibility of economic recession; legislative and regulatory developments including changes to existing laws and regulations, or the way they are interpreted, applied or enforced; tariffs, trade restrictions, and the economic and other sanctions imposed by other nations on Russia and Belarus and/or other government organizations; suspensions of activities in Russia by many multinational companies; foreign currency fluctuations; significant changes in applicable tax rates and regulations and the potential impacts therefrom, including those arising from H.R.1, commonly known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"; other acts of violence; the impacts of consolidation in our industry, including loss or consolidation of a major customer; the effects of climate change, fires, or other natural disasters; and the potential occurrence of cyber-security breaches, cyber-security attacks and other technology outages and security incidents. Furthermore, the Company is subject to the same business cycles as those experienced by our customers in the steel, automobile, aircraft, industrial equipment, aluminum and durable goods industries. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its operations that are subject to change based on various important factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and possible inaccurate assumptions relevant to our business could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. All forward-looking statements included in this press release, including expectations about future periods, are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, which may change. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, refer to the Risk Factors section, which appears in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend to, and we disclaim any duty or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or for any other reason.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company's investor conference call to discuss its second quarter of 2026 performance is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the conference call, together with supplemental information, can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations website at investors.quakerhoughton.com. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756. 

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids. With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, can, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services. With approximately 4,700 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States. Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net sales

$      532,550

$      483,400

$   1,013,029

$      926,314

Cost of goods sold

343,346

311,677

647,090

593,331

Gross profit

189,204

171,723

365,939

332,983

Selling, general and administrative expenses

140,485

126,600

276,250

245,646

Impairment charges

—

88,840

—

88,840

Restructuring and related charges, net

8,116

8,793

15,497

23,383

Operating income (loss)

40,603

(52,510)

74,192

(24,886)

Other income (expense), net

406

(653)

383

(1,362)

Interest expense

(9,873)

(12,779)

(19,752)

(22,324)

Income (loss) before taxes and equity in net income of
associated companies

31,136

(65,942)

54,823

(48,572)

Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated
companies

11,172

5,472

18,317

13,014

Income (loss) before equity in net income of associated
companies

19,964

(71,414)

36,506

(61,586)

Equity in net income of associated companies

6,849

4,851

10,049

7,940

Net income (loss)

26,813

(66,563)

46,555

(53,646)

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(22)

17

51

12

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation

$       26,835

$      (66,580)

$       46,504

$      (53,658)

Per share data:

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
common shareholders – basic

$          1.56

$         (3.78)

$          2.69

$         (3.04)

Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
common shareholders – diluted

$          1.55

$         (3.78)

$          2.68

$         (3.04)

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

17,109,417

17,572,447

17,217,771

17,605,920

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

17,199,666

17,592,971

17,299,282

17,630,541

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except par value)

June 30,
2026

December 31,
2025

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$      155,093

$      179,829

Accounts receivable, net

463,603

417,157

Inventories

304,110

265,776

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

68,242

58,428

Total current assets

991,048

921,190

Property, plant and equipment, net

314,596

313,423

Right-of-use lease assets

53,650

38,737

Goodwill

503,721

501,720

Other intangible assets, net

829,479

873,540

Investments in associated companies

105,906

106,915

Deferred tax assets

12,737

12,128

Other non-current assets

39,979

30,283

Total assets

$    2,851,116

$   2,797,936

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

$        15,654

$       35,657

Accounts payable

234,319

198,929

Dividends payable

8,744

8,804

Accrued compensation

41,280

41,192

Accrued restructuring

8,807

8,351

Accrued pension and postretirement benefits

2,120

2,126

Other accrued liabilities

92,473

85,097

Total current liabilities

403,397

380,156

Long-term debt

857,790

834,901

Long-term lease liabilities

37,628

22,759

Deferred tax liabilities

131,314

140,814

Non-current accrued pension and postretirement benefits

20,159

20,615

Other non-current liabilities

20,229

22,192

Total liabilities

1,470,517

1,421,437

Equity

Common stock $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding

     June 30, 2026 – 17,212,963 shares; December 31, 2025 – 17,331,779 shares

17,213

17,332

Capital in excess of par value

855,896

874,826

Retained earnings

625,554

596,616

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(121,488)

(115,661)

Total Quaker shareholders' equity

1,377,175

1,373,113

Noncontrolling interest

3,424

3,386

Total equity

1,380,599

1,376,499

Total liabilities and equity

$    2,851,116

$   2,797,936

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2026

2025

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)

$       46,555

$      (53,646)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

Depreciation and amortization

51,011

44,278

Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends

(3,596)

(44)

Deferred income taxes

(11,730)

(15,634)

Share-based compensation

6,888

6,903

Impairment charges

—

88,840

Restructuring and related charges, net

15,497

23,383

Inventory step-up amortization

—

6,022

Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets

121

(2,108)

Other adjustments

(1,877)

(5,228)

Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of
     acquisitions:

Accounts receivable

(47,628)

3,022

Inventories

(40,685)

(11,826)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(10,450)

(3,943)

Accrued restructuring

(11,340)

(15,946)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

40,476

(25,551)

Net cash provided by operating activities

33,242

38,522

Cash flows from investing activities

Investments in property, plant and equipment

(21,018)

(20,289)

Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired

—

(164,078)

Proceeds from disposition of assets

—

2,950

Other investing activities

2,249

697

Net cash used in investing activities

(18,769)

(180,720)

Cash flows from financing activities

Payments of long-term debt

(629,685)

(17,205)

Proceeds from long-term debt

800,000

—

Borrowings on revolving credit facilities

197,307

283,000

Payments on revolving credit facilities

(356,305)

(67,000)

Payments on other debt

—

(101)

Financing-related debt issuance costs

(6,232)

—

Dividends paid

(17,627)

(17,146)

Shares purchased under share repurchase programs

(24,181)

(32,693)

Other stock related activity

(1,755)

(1,301)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(38,478)

147,554

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

(731)

7,682

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(24,736)

13,038

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

179,829

188,880

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

$      155,093

$      201,918

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 28th, 2026

American Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Free Report) by 47.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 38,642 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,496 shares during the quarter. American Capital Management Inc. owned 0.22% of Quaker Houghton worth $4,800,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Quaker Houghton by 14.4% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 756,988 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $103,942,000 after purchasing an additional 95,100 shares during the last quarter. Royce & Associates LP boosted its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 19.2% in the fourth quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 755,740 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $103,771,000 after acquiring an additional 121,854 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Quaker Houghton by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 750,789 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $93,271,000 after purchasing an additional 38,261 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Quaker Houghton by 9.2% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 596,618 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $66,785,000 after buying an additional 50,264 shares during the last quarter. Finally, William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quaker Houghton by 33.6% during the fourth quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 469,981 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $64,533,000 after buying an additional 118,321 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.46% of the company’s stock.

Quaker Houghton Price Performance Shares of NYSE KWR opened at $151.12 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 2.45. The firm has a market cap of $2.62 billion, a PE ratio of 539.75, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.40. Quaker Houghton has a one year low of $111.42 and a one year high of $183.01. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $148.52 and a 200 day moving average of $145.54.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.66 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $480.48 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $463.70 million. Quaker Houghton had a return on equity of 9.03% and a net margin of 0.22%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.58 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Quaker Houghton will post 7.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quaker Houghton announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, May 13th that permits the company to buyback $250.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty chemicals company to purchase up to 10.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Quaker Houghton Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 17th will be paid a $0.508 dividend. This represents a $2.03 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 17th. Quaker Houghton’s dividend payout ratio is currently 725.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Quaker Houghton news, EVP Jeewat Bijlani sold 731 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.77, for a total value of $106,557.87. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,748 shares in the company, valued at approximately $983,655.96. This represents a 9.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes KWR has been the topic of several research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $177.00 target price on shares of Quaker Houghton in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Quaker Houghton from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, April 12th. Seaport Research Partners raised Quaker Houghton from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $175.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, April 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Quaker Houghton from $203.00 to $175.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 6th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Quaker Houghton from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $174.67.

View Our Latest Report on Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton Company Profile (Free Report)

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.

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The market expects Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis specialty chemical company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.68 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -1.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $511.83 million, up 5.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.46% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Quaker Chemical?For Quaker Chemical, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.67%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Quaker Chemical will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Quaker Chemical would post earnings of $1.66 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.63, delivering a surprise of -1.81%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Quaker Chemical doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, Sherwin-Williams (SHW - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $3.56 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +5.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $6.62 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Sherwin-Williams has remained unchanged. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.94%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP indicates that Sherwin-Williams will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Key Takeaways KWR opened a new manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, China, to expand regional production capacity. Quaker Houghton expanded its laboratory to speed customized solution development and testing. KWR says the investment will improve service, local responsiveness and support Asia-Pacific growth. Quaker Chemical Corporation (KWR - Free Report) , doing business as Quaker Houghton, has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, China, alongside an expanded laboratory, strengthening its production and research capabilities in one of its most important growth markets.  

The investment is aimed at meeting rising customer demand across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region while enhancing the company's ability to deliver localized manufacturing, technical support and product innovation.  

The newly commissioned manufacturing site incorporates advanced production technologies and is designed to improve operational efficiency, product quality and supply chain responsiveness.  

The expanded laboratory will enhance Quaker Houghton's research, development and application testing capabilities, enabling faster development of customized industrial process fluid solutions for customers in industries such as automotive, steel, aluminum, mining and wind power. 

The expansion reflects Quaker Houghton's long-term commitment to the Chinese market and reinforces its strategy of investing close to customers. By combining increased manufacturing capacity with stronger technical and innovation resources, the company expects to improve service levels, accelerate product development and support future growth across the Asia-Pacific region.  

In June, Quaker Houghton expanded its Shanghai laboratory with enhanced testing and development capabilities, including dedicated facilities for its grease business and QH FLUID INTELLIGENCE platform. The expansion is intended to accelerate innovation, optimize process performance and support long-term growth. 

Per KWR, the new facility and expanded laboratory represent an important milestone in strengthening the company's regional footprint. The company added that the investment will enhance collaboration with customers, improve responsiveness to local market needs and support sustainable long-term growth in China and across the Asia-Pacific.  

Shares of KWR are up 36% in the past year compared with the industry’s 6% rise. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

KWR’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksKWR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Nucor Corporation (NUE - Free Report) , L.B. Foster Company (FSTR - Free Report)  and Albemarle Corporation (ALB - Free Report) . NUE and FSTR sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while ALB carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NUE’s current-year earnings stands at $17.08 per share, implying a 121.5% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with the average surprise being 8.1%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSTR’s current-year earnings is pegged at $1.74 per share, implying a 152.2% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the trailing four quarters and missed thrice, with the average surprise being 3.62%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB’s current-year earnings is pegged at $12.98 per share, indicating a 1,743% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 74.5%. 

Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR - Get Free Report) and 5E Advanced Materials (NASDAQ: FEAM - Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership. Earnings and Valuation This table compares

KWR eyes 2026 share gains and margin lift despite soft demand, leaning on APAC momentum, China capacity and cost savings to drive steady growth.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 23.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Quaker Chemical due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Quaker Houghton before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

Key HighlightsEarnings per share (as reported) for the fourth quarter of 2025 were $1.18 compared with 81 cents a year ago, up 45.5%.

Adjusted earnings per share rose 24% to $1.65 from $1.33 in the prior-year quarter. It missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.71.

Revenues were $468.5 million, up 5.5% year over year from $444.1 million in the year-ago quarter. It beat the consensus estimate of $465.3 million.

Top-line growth in the fourth quarter was broad-based with important mix effects. Management attributes the sales increase primarily to acquisitions and favorable currency swings, partly offset by unfavorable price/mix and lower organic volume.

Adjusted EBITDA was $71.9 million compared with $64.8 million, up 10.9%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.3% compared with 14.6% a year ago.

Segment PerformanceAmericas: Net sales were $207.8 million, essentially flat year over year. Volumes declined 4%, offset by favorable currency of 2% and the contribution of acquisitions of 2%. Segment operating earnings increased modestly to $51.2 million from $50.9 million.

EMEA: Net sales were $135 million, up 7.3% year over year, driven by acquisitions, favorable price/mix, and currency, while volumes declined 2%. Segment operating earnings increased to $21.8 million from $18.6 million.

Asia/Pacific: Net sales were $125.7 million, up 14.7% year over year. Organic volume rose 4% and acquisitions, primarily Dipsol, provided a meaningful lift. Segment operating earnings increased to $34 million from $30.7 million.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital DeploymentFourth-quarter operating cash flow was $47 million versus $63 million a year ago, reflecting higher restructuring outflows and working capital needs, including temporary inventory builds in EMEA to support network optimization. Full-year operating cash flow was $136.5 million.

As of Dec 31, 205, total debt stood at $871 million, cash at $180 million and net debt at $691 million. Net leverage was 2.3x TTM adjusted EBITDA.

The company repurchased approximately $5 million of stock in the quarter and $41.5 million for the full year, and paid $34 million in dividends.

OutlookManagement expects first-quarter 2026 to mark a third consecutive quarter of year-over-year EBITDA improvement, supported by share gains, gross margin recovery from the fourth quarter's operational issues, and acquisition run-rate.

For 2026, the outlook calls for mid-single-digit revenue growth and high-single-digit adjusted EBITDA growth, with gross margin targeted at 36-37% for the year. Share gains of 2-4% are expected across all regions, with Asia/Pacific remaining the growth leader.

SG&A is expected to be higher year over year due to variable compensation rebuild and inflation, partially offset by transformation and cost-structure initiatives. Capital expenditure is planned at 2.5-3.5% of sales, including completion of a new China facility targeted to begin operations in the second half and the 2026 consolidation.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.

The consensus estimate has shifted -7.37% due to these changes.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Quaker Chemical has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a score of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Quaker Chemical has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerQuaker Chemical belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry. Another stock from the same industry, Celanese (CE - Free Report) , has gained 14.5% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended December 2025.

Celanese reported revenues of $2.2 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -7%. EPS of $0.67 for the same period compares with $1.45 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Celanese is expected to post earnings of $0.81 per share, indicating a change of +42.1% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days.

Celanese has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of C.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 7th, 2026

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Get Free Report) shares dropped 4.1% on Monday after Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on the stock from $203.00 to $175.00. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Quaker Houghton traded as low as $114.45 and last traded at $115.5930. Approximately 28,710 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 160,009 shares. The stock had previously closed at $120.57.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on KWR. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Quaker Houghton from $190.00 to $184.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Quaker Houghton from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $179.50.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Quaker Houghton

Institutional Trading of Quaker Houghton A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in KWR. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Quaker Houghton during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Quaker Houghton during the third quarter worth about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 284.8% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 304 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 165.0% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 273 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 87.1% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 348 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.46% of the company’s stock.

Quaker Houghton Price Performance The business’s fifty day moving average is $144.92 and its 200-day moving average is $140.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 2.42 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The firm has a market cap of $2.09 billion, a PE ratio of -1,003.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.43.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 23rd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.71 by ($0.06). Quaker Houghton had a positive return on equity of 8.99% and a negative net margin of 0.13%.The company had revenue of $468.48 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $465.17 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.33 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Quaker Houghton will post 7.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quaker Houghton Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 16th will be paid a $0.508 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 16th. This represents a $2.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Quaker Houghton’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,691.67%.

Quaker Houghton Company Profile (Get Free Report)

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.

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Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) today announced the following schedule and contact information for its first quarter 2026 earnings release and investor call.

Earnings Release: 

Thursday, April 30, 2026 (after market close)
Visit the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's
website at https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/ 

Teleconference:

Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (ET)
Participate live by phone or listen to live audio webcast through
the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's website at
https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/

Dial-in Number: 

+1-877-269-7756 (toll-free)
+1-201-689-7817 (toll)
Please call 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call.
No password required.

If unable to participate live, select from one of the following replay options:

Digital Replay: 

Available through May 15, 2026
Call +1-877-660-6853 (toll free) or +1-201-612-7415 (toll)
Conference ID No. 13759650

Archived Webcast: 

Visit the investor relations portion of Quaker Houghton's website
at https://investors.quakerhoughton.com/

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids. With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services. With approximately 4,700 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States. Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

SOURCE Quaker Houghton

Also from this source

Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when International Flavors (IFF - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 5, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis ingredients producer for food, cosmetics and consumer products industries is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -10%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.65 billion, down 6.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.54% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for International Flavors?For International Flavors, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.09%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that International Flavors will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that International Flavors would post earnings of $0.85 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.80, delivering a surprise of -5.88%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

International Flavors appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerQuaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $1.66 for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +5.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $465.11 million, up 5% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Quaker Chemical has been revised 2.5% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -5.55%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Quaker Chemical will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Quaker Chemical (KWR - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.63 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.58 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.94%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this specialty chemical company would post earnings of $1.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.65, delivering a surprise of -3.51%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.

Quaker Chemical, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $480.48 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.31%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $442.91 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Quaker Chemical shares have lost about 3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 4.2%.

What's Next for Quaker Chemical?While Quaker Chemical has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Quaker Chemical was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.10 on $499.91 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $7.99 on $1.97 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the bottom 27% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Celanese (CE - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 5.

This chemical company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.84 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +47.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 10.4% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.

Celanese's revenues are expected to be $2.26 billion, down 5.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Explore how Quaker Chemical's (KWR) revenue from international markets is changing and the resulting impact on Wall Street's predictions and the stock's prospects.

, /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.508 per share, payable on July 31, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 17, 2026. In addition, the Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $250 million of its common stock.  The Company has terminated its prior 2024 share repurchase program.

Joseph A. Berquist, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "The increased repurchase authorization gives us additional flexibility to execute our capital allocation priorities in a disciplined manner. We will continue to prioritize growth while balancing overall capital allocation and returning cash to shareholders."

The Company is authorized to repurchase shares of common stock from time to time through various methods, including in open market transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchases, privately negotiated transactions, derivative transactions or otherwise, certain of which may be made pursuant to a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws. The timing, as well as the number and value of shares repurchased under the program, will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including our assessment of the intrinsic value of the Company's common stock, the market price of the Company's common stock, general market and economic conditions, available liquidity, compliance with the Company's debt and other agreements, applicable legal requirements, the nature of other investment opportunities available to the Company, and other considerations. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the repurchase program, and the program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The Company expects to fund the repurchases by using cash on hand and expected free cash flow to be generated in the future.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that fall under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We have based these forward-looking statements on assumptions, projections and expectations about future events that we believe are reasonable based on currently available information, including statements regarding the potential effects of economic downturns; tariffs, including retaliatory tariffs, "trade wars" and uncertainty surrounding changes in tariffs; inflation and global supply chain constraints on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition; our expectation that we will maintain sufficient liquidity and remain in compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facility; expectations about future demand and raw material costs; and statements regarding the impact of increased raw material costs and pricing initiatives. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance, and business, which may differ materially from our actual results, including but not limited to the potential benefits of acquisitions and divestitures, the impacts on our business as a result of global supply chain constraints and other macroeconomic stresses and uncertainties, including political and geopolitical events, civil disturbances and endemics/pandemics or extreme weather events and other natural disasters that may adversely affect regional economic conditions, and our current and future results and plans and statements that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "outlook," "target," "possible," "potential," "plan" or similar expressions. Such statements include information relating to current and future business activities, operational matters, capital spending, and financing sources. A major risk is that demand for the Company's products and services is largely derived from the demand for its customers' products, which subjects the Company to uncertainties related to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production slowdowns and shutdowns. Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, inflationary pressures, including increases in raw material costs; supply chain constraints and the impacts of economic downturns; customer financial instability; high interest rates and their impact on our and our customers' business operations; the impacts from acts of war, terrorism and military conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as economic, political and governmental actions taken by various governments and government organizations in response; economic and political disruptions particularly in light of numerous elections globally and the possibility of regime changes; the possibility of economic recession; legislative and regulatory developments including changes to existing laws and regulations, or the way they are interpreted, applied or enforced; tariffs, trade restrictions, and the economic and other sanctions imposed by other nations on Russia and Belarus and/or other government organizations; suspensions of activities in Russia by many multinational companies; foreign currency fluctuations; significant changes in applicable tax rates and regulations and the potential impacts therefrom, including those arising from H.R.1, commonly known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"; terrorist attacks and other acts of violence; the impacts of consolidation in our industry, including loss or consolidation of a major customer, the effects of climate change, fires, or other natural disasters; and the potential occurrence of cyber-security breaches, cyber-security attacks and other technology outages and security incidents. Furthermore, the Company is subject to the same business cycles as those experienced by our customers in the steel, automobile, aircraft, industrial equipment, aluminum and durable goods industries. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its operations that are subject to change based on various important factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and possible inaccurate assumptions relevant to our business could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. All forward-looking statements included in this press release, including expectations about future periods, are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, which may change. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, refer to the Risk Factors section, which appears in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend to, and we disclaim any duty or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or for any other reason.

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids. With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services. With approximately 4,700 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States. Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

SOURCE Quaker Houghton