Koppers Holdings Inc logo

Koppers Holdings Inc(KOP)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$39.64
11/05/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for KOP

11/05/2026: KOP (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Koppers Holdings Inc is a specialized industrial company that provides treated wood products and chemical solutions for infrastructure sectors like rail and utilities. The company has a leading position in the North American railroad tie market and has successfully expanded its footprint into utility services through strategic acquisitions. Its main growth opportunity lies in providing environmentally sustainable wood preservation technologies for infrastructure hardening. Key risks include exposure to volatile commodity prices, potential regulatory shifts in chemical usage, and a high debt load relative to industrial peers. The stock may suit value-oriented investors who monitor infrastructure spending and management's success in deleveraging the balance sheet.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers moderate growth potential linked to infrastructure cycles rather than hyper-growth.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum fit is conditional on a positive Upturn signal, reflecting the stock's sensitivity to industrial macro trends.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock often trades at valuation multiples that may attract value-oriented investors seeking industrial exposure.
Dividend investorMixed fitWhile dividends are paid, the company prioritizes capital allocation toward growth and debt reduction.
Low-risk investorMixed fitExposure to industrial cycles and raw material price volatility introduces moderate risk to the investment.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe company is highly sensitive to fluctuations in the prices of coal tar, copper, and energy costs.
Valuation riskMediumValuation is tied to cyclical earnings, which can swing depending on the macroeconomic environment.
Competition risk (Industrial & Chemical)MediumCompetition from regional players and large diversified chemical firms limits pricing power.
Business qualityMediumThe business operates in capital-intensive, mature industries with high regulatory hurdles.
Dividend incomeLowDividend payouts are conservative as cash is prioritized for debt management.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully integrating acquisitions and managing environmental safety standards is critical for long-term viability.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 27.51%
Avg. Invested days 54
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/05/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
KOP receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
KOP has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, moderate earnings growth (+6.9%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.6%), negative revenue growth (-10.2%), soft profitability (net margin 3.0%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
KOP's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (3.6% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is KOP's strongest growth driver at +60.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-10.2%, negative) and earnings growth (+6.9%, moderate) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 103.4% and approximately 89.1% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 7.15% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 16.12%
Simcoe Capital Management, LLC 7.49%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 6.54%
Pzena Investment Management, LLC 5.61%
Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc 4.99%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
KOP generates approximately $238 of gross profit, $117 of operating income, and $36 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Soft margins and moderate cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 31.03%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
KOP has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 811.12M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 56
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 56
Volume (30-day avg) 146.2K shares
Beta 1.2
52 Weeks Range 24.77 - 52.90
Updated Date 11/05/2026
52 Weeks Range 24.77 - 52.90
Updated Date 11/05/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.81%
Basic EPS (TTM) -4.64

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Railroad and Utility ProductsCrossties, utility poles, and maintenance services.This is a stable segment driven by recurring infrastructure maintenance needs.
Performance ChemicalsWood preservatives and protective technologies.This provides higher-margin growth potential through chemical innovation.
Carbon Materials and ChemicalsCoal tar derivatives for aluminum and steel.This segment is more cyclical and sensitive to global industrial production levels.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-06
When Before Market
Estimate 1.38
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin -4.59%
Operating Margin (TTM) 9.65%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 6.49%
Return on Equity (TTM) -19.01%

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 8.6
Enterprise Value 1.75B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.43
Enterprise Value 1.75B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.43
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.93
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 44.34
Shares Outstanding 18.91M
Shares Floating 16.85M
Shares Outstanding 18.91M
Shares Floating 16.85M
Percent Insiders 7.15
Percent Institutions 103.35

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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