Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Upgraded to “Hold” at Zacks Research

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) was upgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

GPK has been the topic of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $9.60 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird set a $13.00 price target on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Graphic Packaging presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $12.33.

Graphic Packaging Trading Down 4.0%

GPK opened at $10.77 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $9.88 and its 200-day moving average is $12.61. Graphic Packaging has a 1-year low of $8.78 and a 1-year high of $23.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The company has a market cap of $3.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.70 and a beta of 0.66.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Graphic Packaging

In related news, Director Jeffrey Stafeil acquired 17,878 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 7th. The stock was bought at an average price of $11.19 per share, for a total transaction of $200,054.82. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 17,878 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Graphic Packaging

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 18,379 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $387,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 17.1% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 4,450 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 651 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 71,049 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,497,000 after buying an additional 660 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 65,067 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,273,000 after buying an additional 711 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 15,485 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 791 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.67% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Graphic Packaging

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

• Positive Sentiment: One market note said Graphic Packaging “shines” in a review of industrial packaging Q1 earnings, suggesting its operating performance still stands out versus peers. Industrial packaging stocks Q1 earnings review: Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK) shines
• Positive Sentiment: UBS said Graphic Packaging appears largely insulated from the Nippon mill accident, which could limit any near-term supply-chain or cost impact. Graphic Packaging seen largely insulated from Nippon Mill accident, UBS says
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple law firms are encouraging investors to join or monitor the securities class action, but these notices largely repeat the same litigation update and deadline rather than adding new facts. Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Graphic Packaging Holding Company and Certain Former Officers – GPK
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s own earnings backdrop remains mixed but not alarming: last reported EPS and revenue beat estimates, even though profit fell sharply year over year and guidance remains modest.
• Negative Sentiment: The new class-action filing and repeated investor alerts raise the risk of legal costs, management distraction, and potential headline overhang for GPK shares. Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Graphic Packaging Holding Company and Certain Former Officers – GPK

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.