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

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) has been assigned an average rating of “Reduce” from the twelve analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.3250.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on GPK shares. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $9.60 target price on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Friday, March 27th.

Graphic Packaging News Roundup

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

• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced the filing of a class action against Graphic Packaging and certain former officers, alleging violations of federal securities laws during the class period. Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Graphic Packaging Holding Company and Certain Former Officers – GPK
• Negative Sentiment: Several other firms, including Schall, Gross, Bernstein Liebhard, Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi, Glancy Prongay, Kirby McInerney, and Howard G. Smith, reiterated the pending lawsuit and urged investors who suffered losses to seek lead-plaintiff status before the July 6 deadline. Schall Law Firm notice
• Neutral Sentiment: The notices do not provide new operational or financial updates; they mainly serve as investor alerts about the litigation timeline and rights of affected shareholders. Howard G. Smith deadline reminder

Graphic Packaging Stock Down 5.7%

Shares of Graphic Packaging stock opened at $9.63 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 1.41. Graphic Packaging has a 52-week low of $8.78 and a 52-week high of $23.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.46 and a beta of 0.61. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $9.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.11.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The industrial products company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.03. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 3.17% and a return on equity of 12.62%. The firm had revenue of $2.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. Graphic Packaging has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.750-1.150 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging will post 0.85 EPS for the current year.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Investors of record on Sunday, March 15th were issued a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. Graphic Packaging’s payout ratio is 47.83%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Graphic Packaging

In related news, Director Jeffrey Stafeil purchased 17,878 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 7th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $11.19 per share, for a total transaction of $200,054.82. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 17,878 shares in the company, valued at approximately $200,054.82. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Robbert Rietbroek purchased 44,278 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $11.32 per share, for a total transaction of $501,226.96. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 44,278 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $501,226.96. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Graphic Packaging

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPK. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,142 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,970 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,956 shares in the last quarter. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Graphic Packaging in the third quarter valued at $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 649.6% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 2,321.1% in the first quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,220 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 3,087 shares in the last quarter. 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.