Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) Short Interest Up 28.9% in December

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,162,660 shares, an increase of 28.9% from the November 30th total of 2,452,986 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 853,113 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days. Currently, 3.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 3.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 853,113 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days.

Packaging Corporation of America Trading Down 0.2%

Packaging Corporation of America stock opened at $208.30 on Wednesday. Packaging Corporation of America has a 52 week low of $172.71 and a 52 week high of $242.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 3.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $201.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $203.59.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.83 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.29 billion. Packaging Corporation of America had a return on equity of 19.72% and a net margin of 10.18%.Packaging Corporation of America’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.65 earnings per share. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 EPS for the current year.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Packaging Corporation of America’s dividend payout ratio is 50.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on PKG shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $200.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Packaging Corporation of America from $214.00 to $218.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research cut Packaging Corporation of America from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $230.67.

Institutional Trading of Packaging Corporation of America

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 40.6% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,483 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $323,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd increased its holdings in Packaging Corporation of America by 18.1% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 6,180 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,347,000 after buying an additional 946 shares during the period. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 7,811 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,702,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the 3rd quarter worth about $12,080,000. 89.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.