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

Shares of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) have been given a consensus rating of “Reduce” by the twelve brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have given a hold rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $18.50.

A number of brokerages recently commented on GPK. Baird R W lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James Financial downgraded Graphic Packaging from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded Graphic Packaging from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Graphic Packaging from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $18.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Tuesday.

Graphic Packaging Trading Up 4.9%

NYSE GPK opened at $15.81 on Friday. Graphic Packaging has a one year low of $13.93 and a one year high of $28.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market cap of $4.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.30 and a beta of 0.64. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $15.66 and its 200-day moving average is $19.01.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Graphic Packaging will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.88%.

Graphic Packaging News Summary

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

• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst roundup — a Benzinga piece compiles nine analysts’ views on GPK, showing mixed ratings and divergent price targets that help explain intraday volatility. The Analyst Verdict: Graphic Packaging Holding In The Eyes Of 9…
• Neutral Sentiment: Robert W. Baird kept a neutral rating and a $18 price target on GPK (roughly mid‑teens upside from current levels), signaling cautious optimism from one major sell‑side shop. Baird reaffirms neutral, $18 PT
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation note — a Yahoo Finance analysis reviews GPK’s recent share swings and valuation metrics (low P/E, margin dynamics), which can attract bargain hunters after the pullback. A Look At Graphic Packaging Holding (GPK) Valuation After Recent Share Price Swings
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholder litigation risk — Pomerantz LLP has opened an investigation into GPK investor claims; regional outlets also report the alert. This raises legal and disclosure risk that could weigh on sentiment if it escalates. INVESTOR ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of Graphic Packaging Holding Company – GPK Local coverage of the Pomerantz investigation
• Negative Sentiment: Additional law‑firm probe — The Schall Law Firm announced a separate investigation into alleged securities law violations, compounding legal overhang. GPK Investors Have Opportunity to Join … Schall Law Firm
• Negative Sentiment: Sell‑side downgrades — Baird cut GPK from “strong‑buy” to “hold,” and Wells Fargo also downgraded the stock; those actions reduce near‑term analyst support. Baird downgrades GPK from strong-buy to hold (coverage link) Wells Fargo downgrades Graphic Packaging Holding (GPK)
• Negative Sentiment: Institutional outlook trimmed — Citigroup lowered its expectations/targets for GPK, another headwind for sentiment and potential catalyst for further analyst revisions. Citigroup Has Lowered Expectations for Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Stock Price

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Graphic Packaging by 282.5% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 62,562 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $980,000 after buying an additional 46,204 shares in the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC bought a new stake in Graphic Packaging during the fourth quarter worth about $176,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 649.6% during the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,767 shares in the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,360,000. Finally, Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in Graphic Packaging in the third quarter valued at approximately $274,000. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.