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NL Industries (NYSE: NL) posts stronger Q1 2026 profit on securities gain

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(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

NL Industries reported stronger first quarter 2026 results, with net income attributable to stockholders of $4.3 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share, in the first quarter of 2025.

Results included a $2.7 million unrealized gain on marketable equity securities, versus an $8.5 million unrealized loss a year earlier. CompX net sales were $40.6 million versus $40.3 million, and segment profit rose to $7.1 million from $5.9 million, helped by better margins in Security Products and higher Marine Components sales.

NL recorded equity in losses of Kronos of $1.5 million, compared with equity in earnings of $5.5 million in 2025, as Kronos’ income from operations fell to $12.6 million from $38.4 million despite a 4% increase in net sales to $509.8 million. Corporate expenses inched higher and interest and dividend income declined due to lower balances and rates.

Positive

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Negative

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Net income attributable to stockholders Q1 2026 $4.3 million Compared to $0.7 million in Q1 2025
Earnings per share Q1 2026 $0.09 per share Compared to $0.01 per share in Q1 2025
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities $2.7 million gain Versus $8.5 million loss in Q1 2025
CompX net sales Q1 2026 $40.6 million Slightly above $40.3 million in Q1 2025
CompX segment profit Q1 2026 $7.1 million Up from $5.9 million in Q1 2025
Kronos net sales Q1 2026 $509.8 million 4% higher than Q1 2025
Kronos income from operations Q1 2026 $12.6 million Down from $38.4 million in Q1 2025
NL income from operations Q1 2026 $4.1 million Compared to $3.2 million in Q1 2025
unrealized gain financial
"NL’s results include an unrealized gain of $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2026"
An unrealized gain is the increase in value of an investment that you still hold and have not sold, so the profit exists on paper but hasn’t been converted into cash. Like a balloon that has inflated but hasn’t been popped, it raises your reported net worth and signals how well an investment is performing, yet it can fall before you sell; investors watch unrealized gains to decide when to lock in profits, manage risk, and plan for taxes.
marketable equity securities financial
"related to the change in value of marketable equity securities"
Marketable equity securities are ownership shares in companies that can be quickly bought or sold on public exchanges or other active markets. They matter to investors because they can be converted to cash fast, affect a firm's reported assets and risk exposure, and their market price moves with investor sentiment—think of them like stocks on a busy trading floor that you can usually sell immediately if you need money or want to adjust your portfolio.
equity in earnings (losses) financial
"NL recognized equity in losses of Kronos of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2026"
TiO2 financial
"Kronos started 2026 with average TiO2 selling prices lower than at the beginning of 2025"
TiO2, short for titanium dioxide, is a white mineral powder widely used as the primary pigment and UV‑blocker in products like paint, plastics, paper, cosmetics and sunscreens, and as a whitening agent in some foods. Investors care because its price, availability and any safety or regulatory actions (for example over nanoparticle or food use) can affect manufacturing costs, product demand and profitability across multiple industries—think of it as a ubiquitous building block whose supply or regulation can ripple through many company balance sheets.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
net periodic pension and OPEB cost financial
"Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost"
Net income attributable to stockholders $4.3 million +$3.6 million vs Q1 2025
Earnings per share $0.09 +$0.08 vs Q1 2025
CompX net sales $40.6 million +$0.3 million vs Q1 2025
Kronos net sales $509.8 million +4% vs Q1 2025
NYSE0000072162falseNL Industries, Inc.00000721622026-05-062026-05-06

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

May 6, 2026

NL Industries, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey

1-640

13-5267260

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas

75240-2620

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(972) 233-1700

 

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

  ​

Trading

Symbol(s)

  ​

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

NL

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The registrant hereby furnishes the information set forth in its press release entitled “NL Reports First Quarter 2026 Results” issued on May 6, 2026, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The press release the registrant furnishes as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report is not deemed “filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.  Registration statements or other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shall not incorporate this information by reference, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

Item No.

  ​ ​ ​

Description

99.1

Press release dated May 6, 2026 entitled “NL Reports First Quarter 2026 Results” and issued by the registrant.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: May 6, 2026

By: /s/Amy A. Samford                                      

Amy A. Samford

Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

Graphic

NL REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

DALLAS, TEXAS – May 6, 2026 – NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) today reported net income attributable to NL stockholders of $4.3 million, or $.09 per share, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $.7 million, or $.01 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. NL’s results include an unrealized gain of $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to an $8.5 million unrealized loss in the first quarter of 2025 related to the change in value of marketable equity securities.

CompX’s net sales were $40.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $40.3 million in the first quarter of 2025.  CompX’s first quarter 2026 net sales increased over the comparable 2025 period due to higher Marine Components sales to the industrial market partially offset by lower Security Products sales. CompX’s segment profit increased to $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to higher gross margin at Security Products as a result of a more favorable customer and product mix and, to a lesser extent, the impact of higher sales at Marine Components.

NL recognized equity in losses of Kronos of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to equity in earnings of $5.5 million in the same period of 2025. Kronos’ net sales of $509.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 were $20.0 million, or 4%, higher than in the first quarter of 2025. Kronos’ net sales increased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to the effects of higher sales volumes in its North American, Latin American and export markets and the favorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro), which it estimates increased its net sales by approximately $30 million. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes in its European market and lower average TiO2 selling prices. Kronos started 2026 with average TiO2 selling prices lower than at the beginning of 2025; however, its average TiO2 selling prices increased 2% during the first quarter of 2026 as Kronos works to recover pricing lost during 2025. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted Kronos’ net sales.

Kronos’ income from operations in the first quarter of 2026 was $12.6 million as compared to $38.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. Kronos’ income from operations decreased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to the effects of lower average TiO2 selling prices, lower production volumes, and the unfavorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates, partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower production costs. Lower production costs benefited in part from cost reduction initiatives implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025, including workforce reductions and other measures, which were designed to permanently improve Kronos’ cost structure and enable more efficient operation of its facilities at lower production rates for extended periods. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased Kronos’ income from operations by approximately $6 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Corporate expenses increased slightly in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses. Interest and dividend income decreased $.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period of 2025 primarily due to decreased average investment balances and lower average interest rates. Marketable equity securities represent the change in unrealized gains (losses) on our portfolio of marketable equity securities during the period.

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking

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statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

Future supply and demand for our products;
Kronos’ ability to realize expected cost savings from strategic and operational initiatives;
Kronos’ ability to integrate acquisitions into its operations and realize expected synergies and innovations;
The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors;
The cyclicality of our businesses (such as Kronos’ TiO2 operations);
Customer and producer inventory levels;
Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion (such as the TiO2 industry);
Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as energy, ore, zinc, aluminum, steel and brass costs) or the implementation of tariffs on imported raw materials and our ability to pass those costs on to our customers or offset them with reductions in other operating costs;
Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore);
General global economic and political conditions that harm the worldwide economy, disrupt our supply chain, increase material and energy costs or reduce demand or perceived demand for TiO2 and our products or impair our ability to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, tariffs, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises);
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, certain regional and world events or economic conditions and public health crises);
Technology related disruptions (including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks; software implementation, upgrades, or improvements; technology processing failures; or other events) related to our technology infrastructure (including manufacturing and accounting systems) that could impact our ability to continue operations, or at key vendors which could impact our supply chain, or at key customers which could impact their operations and cause them to curtail or pause orders;
Competitive products and substitute products;
Competition from Chinese suppliers with less stringent regulatory and environmental compliance requirements;
Customer and competitor strategies;
Our ability to retain key customers;
Potential consolidation of Kronos’ competitors;
Potential consolidation of Kronos’ customers;
The impact of pricing and production decisions;
Competitive technology positions;
Our ability to protect or defend intellectual property rights;
Potential difficulties in integrating future acquisitions;
The introduction of new, or changes in existing, tariffs, trade barriers or trade disputes;
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and between the euro and the Norwegian krone), or possible disruptions to our business resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro or other currencies;

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Decisions to sell operating assets other than in the ordinary course of business;
Kronos’ ability to renew or refinance credit facilities or other debt instruments in the future;
Changes in interest rates;
Kronos’ ability to comply with covenants contained in its revolving bank credit facility;
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity;
The timing and amounts of insurance recoveries;
The ability of our subsidiaries or affiliates to pay us dividends;
Uncertainties associated with CompX’s development of new products and product features;
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform;
Our ability to utilize income tax attributes or changes in income tax rates related to such attributes, the benefits of which may or may not have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria;
Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities or new developments regarding environmental remediation or decommissioning obligations at sites related to our former operations);
Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein (such as changes in government regulations which might impose various obligations on former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint, including us, with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products), including new environmental, sustainability, health and safety or other regulations (such as those seeking to limit or classify TiO2 or its use);
The ultimate resolution of pending litigation (such as our lead pigment and environmental matters); and
Pending or possible future litigation (such as litigation related to CompX’s use of certain permitted chemicals in its productions process) or other actions.

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or if the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

NL Industries, Inc. is engaged in component products (security products and recreational marine components) and chemicals (TiO2) businesses.

Investor Relations Contact

Bryan A. Hanley

Senior Vice President and Treasurer

(972) 233-1700

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except earnings per share)

  ​ ​ ​

Three months ended

  ​ ​ ​

March 31,

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2026

(unaudited)

Net sales

$

40.3

$

40.6

Cost of sales

 

28.1

 

27.3

Gross margin

 

12.2

 

13.3

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

6.3

 

6.2

Corporate expense

2.7

3.0

Income from operations

 

3.2

 

4.1

Equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

 

5.5

 

(1.5)

Other income (expense):

 

  ​

 

  ​

Interest and dividend income

 

2.0

 

1.3

Marketable equity securities

 

(8.5)

 

2.7

Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost

 

(.3)

 

Interest expense

 

(.6)

 

Income before income taxes

 

1.3

 

6.6

Income tax expense

 

 

1.5

Net income

 

1.3

 

5.1

Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiary

 

.6

 

.8

Net income attributable to NL stockholders

$

.7

$

4.3

Net income per share attributable to NL stockholders

$

.01

$

.09

Weighted average shares used in the calculation of
net income per share

 

48.8

 

48.9

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

COMPONENTS OF INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

(In millions)

Three months ended

March 31,

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2026

(unaudited)

CompX segment profit

$

5.9

$

7.1

Corporate expense

 

(2.7)

 

(3.0)

Income from operations

$

3.2

$

4.1

IMPACT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN KRONOS’ NET SALES

(unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

2026 vs. 2025

Percentage change in net sales:

  ​

 

TiO2 sales volume

4

%

TiO2 product pricing

(6)

TiO2 product mix/other

Changes in currency exchange rates

6

 

Total

4

%  

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FAQ

How did NL (NL) perform in the first quarter of 2026?

NL Industries reported net income attributable to stockholders of $4.3 million, or $0.09 per share, in Q1 2026. This compares with $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share, in Q1 2025, reflecting stronger profitability.

What drove NL (NL) earnings improvement in Q1 2026?

The earnings improvement was heavily influenced by a $2.7 million unrealized gain on marketable equity securities, compared with an $8.5 million unrealized loss in Q1 2025. Better CompX segment profit also contributed, offset by weaker equity results from Kronos.

How did CompX, NL’s component products business, perform in Q1 2026?

CompX net sales were $40.6 million in Q1 2026 versus $40.3 million a year earlier. Segment profit increased to $7.1 million from $5.9 million, mainly due to stronger gross margins at Security Products and higher Marine Components sales.

What were NL’s equity results from Kronos in Q1 2026?

NL recorded equity in losses of Kronos of $1.5 million in Q1 2026, compared to equity in earnings of $5.5 million in Q1 2025. Kronos’ income from operations decreased despite higher net sales in 2026.

How did Kronos’ TiO2 business impact NL (NL) in Q1 2026?

Kronos’ Q1 2026 net sales were $509.8 million, up 4% year over year, driven by higher TiO2 sales volumes and favorable currency effects. However, lower average TiO2 selling prices and reduced production volumes pressured Kronos’ income from operations, lowering NL’s equity earnings.

What changes occurred in NL’s other income items in Q1 2026?

Interest and dividend income declined from $2.0 million in Q1 2025 to $1.3 million in Q1 2026 due to lower investment balances and interest rates. Marketable equity securities swung from an $8.5 million loss to a $2.7 million gain over the same periods.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents