Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) Issues Q4 2026 Earnings Guidance

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) issued an update on its fourth quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Friday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 2.810-2.810 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 2.780.

Packaging Corporation of America Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE PKG traded down $1.46 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $247.46. 712,709 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 632,735. Packaging Corporation of America has a 12-month low of $191.50 and a 12-month high of $259.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a current ratio of 2.94. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $237.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $230.90. The firm has a market cap of $22.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.75.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.93 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $2.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.61 billion. Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 7.40% and a return on equity of 19.63%. Packaging Corporation of America’s revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.73 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. Packaging Corporation of America’s dividend payout ratio is presently 77.92%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on PKG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $320.00 to $322.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings raised Packaging Corporation of America from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $292.00 to $289.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $294.00 target price (up from $280.00) on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $246.00 to $245.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $274.14.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, President Thomas Hassfurther sold 12,531 shares of Packaging Corporation of America stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $3,132,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president directly owned 218,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,687,750. This trade represents a 5.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald Shirley sold 12,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.71, for a total value of $3,008,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 19,110 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,791,068.10. This represents a 38.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 40,391 shares of company stock valued at $10,196,101 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

More Packaging Corporation of America News

Here are the key news stories impacting Packaging Corporation of America this week:

• Positive Sentiment: PKG reported third-quarter EPS of $3.04, ahead of the $2.93 consensus, while revenue rose 12.5% year over year to approximately $2.60 billion. Favorable pricing and product mix, higher box shipments and contributions from the Greif operations helped drive the earnings beat. Packaging Corp Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Favorable Price & Mix
• Positive Sentiment: The company guided to fourth-quarter EPS of $2.81, modestly above the $2.78 analyst consensus. Price increases, shipment growth and continued cost discipline are supporting expectations for profitable growth. Packaging Corporation of America Signals Profitable Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised their targets while maintaining favorable ratings: Truist reaffirmed “buy” and increased its target to $294 from $280, JPMorgan raised its target to $322 from $320 with an “overweight” rating, and Deutsche Bank lifted its target to $298 from $270 while maintaining “buy.”
• Neutral Sentiment: PKG’s acquisition of Greif’s corrugated packaging operations is increasing shipments and earnings, but investors will continue to monitor integration progress and the durability of those benefits.
• Negative Sentiment: Freight and other cost pressures, along with planned maintenance outages, are expected to partially offset pricing and volume gains in the fourth quarter. A valuation-focused analysis also cautions that PKG’s strong operating performance may already be reflected in its share price. Packaging Corporation of America: A Good Company Isn’t Always A Good Stock

About Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) is a manufacturer of corrugated packaging and containerboard products serving businesses primarily in the United States. Its products include shipping boxes, retail packaging, displays, protective packaging and specialty corrugated solutions used to transport and present a broad range of consumer and industrial goods.

The company also produces uncoated freesheet paper and related paper products for commercial printing, office use, publishing, converting and other applications.