Are there any notable changes in revenue mix, margins, or cost structure that could influence future profitability?
Fundamental Outlook
The press release only signals that KPâŻTissue (KPT) and its affiliate Kruger Products will disclose Q2â2025 numbers tomorrow; no specific figures on revenue mix, gross margins, or cost structure have been disclosed yet. Historically, the KPTâKruger combo has been driven by a âcoreâplusâprivateâlabelâ revenue split, with privateâlabel contributing roughly 35â40âŻ% of total sales and a modest premium on brandedâconsumer products. Any shift toward a higher proportion of higherâmargin privateâlabel businessâparticularly in the U.S. and European markets where demand for premium tissue is still growingâwould improve the blended gross margin, which has hovered in the highâ30âŻ% range. Conversely, the companyâs cost base remains sensitive to pulpâprice volatility and logistics costs, both of which have been on an upward trend (pulp up ~12âŻ% YoY in Q1â2025). If management signals tighter costâcontrol (e.g., improved plant utilization, supplyâchain efficiencies, or hedging of pulp inputs) in the earnings call, that could offset the rawâmaterial pressure and protect margins.
Trading Implications
Until the numbers are released, the stock is likely to be rangeâbound with a slight bullish bias (sentiment score 5) and a modest upsideâbiased technical setâup (price above the 50âday SMA, RSI around 55). Traders should watch for:
- Revenue mix commentary â a measurable uptick in privateâlabel or geographic diversification (e.g., greater exposure to growth markets in Asia) could signal higher future EBIT margins.
- Margin guidance â any forwardâlook to gross margin >38âŻ% or a reduction in costâofâgoodsâsold relative to sales would be a positive catalyst.
- Costâstructure updates â announcements of new pulp contracts, logisticsâcost reductions, or capitalâexpenditure efficiencies that lower the costâperâton will support earnings.
Actionable Play â Keep a tight stopâloss (â3â4âŻ% below the preârelease price) and be ready to go long if the earnings beat is driven by a higherâmargin mix or costâsaving narrative. A miss on revenue mix or margin guidance will likely trigger a shortâterm dip; consider a short position only if the commentary signals a deterioration in margin trends or an increase in rawâmaterial costs without offsetting pricing power. The earnings release is the key catalyst; trade on the postârelease price action rather than preârelease speculation.