Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Hits New 12-Month Low Following Weak Earnings

Shares of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $13.89 and last traded at $13.6140, with a volume of 1227140 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.78.

The industrial products company reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.05). Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 16.58%. The firm had revenue of $2.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. Graphic Packaging has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.750-1.15 EPS.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. Graphic Packaging’s payout ratio is presently 29.73%.

Graphic Packaging News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Graphic Packaging this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management set a clear free cash flow target of $700M–$800M for 2026 and has begun cost actions plus a selective portfolio and footprint review, signaling an explicit plan to restore cash generation. Graphic Packaging targets $700M–$800M free cash flow in 2026 as new CEO initiates cost actions and portfolio review
• Positive Sentiment: Company reaffirmed its FCF target and noted near-completion of the Waco project, reducing capex uncertainty — items investors view as constructive for deleveraging and dividend/future buyback optionality. Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Some value-oriented coverage frames GPK as an opportunity after a steep ~52% decline from prior highs, attracting bargain-hunting investors given a sub-PE multiple and high dividend yield discussion. Is Graphic Packaging Holding (GPK) Now An Opportunity After A 52% Share Price Slide?
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue of $2.10B modestly beat sales expectations but was effectively flat y/y (+0.4%), so top-line stability is present but not accelerating; full Q4 results and slides provide more detail on segment drivers. Graphic Packaging Holding Company 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts show conflicting views on GPK’s outlook — some focus on recovery potential from cost actions, others remain cautious on margins and demand. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on These Consumer Cyclical Companies: Graphic Packaging (GPK) and Chipotle (CMG)
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS of $0.29 missed consensus ($0.34) and was well below prior-year $0.59, reflecting margin compression; net income fell y/y, which pressured sentiment when results first dropped. Graphic Packaging (GPK) Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Management issued conservative FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $0.75–$1.15 versus a consensus near $1.78, which is a major downshift and explains earlier selling pressure. MarketBeat GPK summary (guidance)
• Negative Sentiment: Ongoing margin pressures and transitional costs were emphasized on the earnings call, keeping near-term profitability uncertain until cost initiatives take hold. GPK Q4 deep dive: Margin pressures and cost actions define a transitional quarter

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $13.00 target price on Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird set a $15.00 price objective on Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Graphic Packaging from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $24.00 price target on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Graphic Packaging has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $17.00.

Institutional Trading of Graphic Packaging

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Graphic Packaging by 36.6% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 171,608 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $4,453,000 after buying an additional 45,944 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,471,519 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $38,201,000 after acquiring an additional 132,692 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 36.6% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 51,159 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 13,695 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 84,900 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,789,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 213,422 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $4,497,000 after purchasing an additional 7,243 shares during the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Graphic Packaging Trading Up 9.9%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.07. The company has a market cap of $4.03 billion, a PE ratio of 9.22 and a beta of 0.62.

About Graphic Packaging

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.