Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Cut to Strong Sell at Zacks Research

Zacks Research cut shares of Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note published on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on GPK. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $19.00 to $16.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Robert W. Baird reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Baird R W lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Graphic Packaging from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $18.38.

Graphic Packaging Stock Performance

Shares of GPK stock opened at $15.31 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $15.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.52 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00 and a beta of 0.64. Graphic Packaging has a 52-week low of $13.93 and a 52-week high of $28.62.

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

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Stockholders 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 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.88%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of GPK. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 130.7% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,382 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 783 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its stake in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142 shares during the last quarter. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Graphic Packaging in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 649.6% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 1,356.1% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,791 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 1,668 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.