Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) Receives Average Rating of “Reduce” from Analysts

Shares of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and nine have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $11.0333.

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James Financial lowered Graphic Packaging from a “market perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Robert W. Baird set a $13.00 target price on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Monday, June 29th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $11.70 price target on the stock. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $12.00 price target on the stock.

Graphic Packaging Trading Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:GPK opened at $11.08 on Thursday. Graphic Packaging has a 12-month low of $8.78 and a 12-month high of $23.76. The business has a 50 day moving average of $10.57 and a 200-day moving average of $11.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The stock has a market cap of $3.28 billion, a PE ratio of 12.05 and a beta of 0.66.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The industrial products company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.06 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.05 billion. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 12.62% and a net margin of 3.17%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.51 earnings per share. Graphic Packaging has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.750-1.150 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging will post 0.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.83%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jeffrey Stafeil purchased 17,878 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.19 per share, for a total transaction of $200,054.82. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 17,878 shares in the company, valued at approximately $200,054.82. This represents a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Quarry LP lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 282.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,142 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,970 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,956 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 649.6% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,767 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging in the third quarter valued at about $45,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Graphic Packaging by 2,321.1% in the first quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,220 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 3,087 shares in the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Graphic Packaging Company Profile

Graphic Packaging Holding Company is a leading provider of sustainable paperboard packaging solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products designed for food, beverage and other consumer goods markets. The company specializes in the manufacture of containerboard, folding cartons and engineered fill materials, as well as beverage packaging systems including paperboard cups, carriers and related components.

Through a network of manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe and Latin America, Graphic Packaging serves a diverse customer base that includes major consumer packaged goods companies, quick-service restaurants and retail chains.