Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) Receives $16.63 Average PT from Analysts

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) has been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the eleven research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $16.00.

GPK has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial set a $14.00 price target on Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Graphic Packaging from $11.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Zacks Research downgraded Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on Graphic Packaging from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 5th.

Graphic Packaging Trading Down 5.1%

GPK opened at $8.89 on Friday. Graphic Packaging has a fifty-two week low of $8.78 and a fifty-two week high of $26.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.00 and a beta of 0.65. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $12.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.57.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.10 billion during the quarter. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 16.58%. As a group, research analysts predict that Graphic Packaging will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 15th will be given a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. Graphic Packaging’s payout ratio is 29.73%.

Insider Activity at Graphic Packaging

In other news, CEO Robbert Rietbroek acquired 44,278 shares of Graphic Packaging stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $11.32 per share, with a total value of $501,226.96. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 44,278 shares in the company, valued at $501,226.96. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of GPK. Quarry LP grew its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,142 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,970 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,956 shares during the period. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its position 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 valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 2nd quarter valued at about $42,000. 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.