Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Sets New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK)’s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $11.63 and last traded at $11.8370, with a volume of 509419 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $12.23.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial set a $14.00 price target on Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Zacks Research downgraded Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. UBS Group decreased their price target on Graphic Packaging from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Robert W. Baird set a $15.00 price target on Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $16.63.

Graphic Packaging Stock Performance

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 stock has a market cap of $3.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.62 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.68.

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

Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Investors of record on Sunday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. Graphic Packaging’s payout ratio is currently 29.73%.

Institutional Trading of Graphic Packaging

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake 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 buying an additional 783 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 1,142 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% during 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 during the last quarter. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging during the third quarter worth $31,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its stake in shares of 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 worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,767 shares during the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Graphic Packaging Company Profile

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.