Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Analysts

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) has been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the eleven research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.3750.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Graphic Packaging from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Graphic Packaging from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Monday, December 29th.

Graphic Packaging Trading Down 1.5%

GPK opened at $14.83 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $15.45 and a 200 day moving average of $18.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Graphic Packaging has a 12 month low of $13.93 and a 12 month high of $28.34. The firm has a market cap of $4.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.72 and a beta of 0.64.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.17 billion. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 19.98% and a net margin of 5.94%.Graphic Packaging has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.800-2.000 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging will post 2.47 EPS for the current year.

Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.88%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GPK. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Graphic Packaging by 36.6% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 171,608 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $4,453,000 after purchasing an additional 45,944 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 9.9% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,471,519 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $38,201,000 after purchasing an additional 132,692 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Graphic Packaging by 54.7% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,841 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $123,000 after buying an additional 2,065 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 46.5% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 6,556 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $138,000 after buying an additional 2,080 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in Graphic Packaging by 195.1% in the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 103,750 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $2,185,000 after buying an additional 68,595 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.67% of the company’s stock.

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.