Greif (NYSE:GEF) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Greif (NYSE:GEF) issued its earnings results on Tuesday. The industrial products company reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.50, Zacks reports. Greif had a net margin of 7.27% and a return on equity of 7.50%.

Greif Stock Up 3.5%

GEF traded up $2.80 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $83.13. The company had a trading volume of 212,844 shares, compared to its average volume of 222,352. The company has a market capitalization of $3.84 billion, a PE ratio of 31.85, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Greif has a one year low of $55.75 and a one year high of $83.39. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $69.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $69.78.

Greif Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 17th were given a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 17th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. This is an increase from Greif’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.56. Greif’s payout ratio is presently 95.02%.

Insider Transactions at Greif

In other Greif news, SVP Timothy Bergwall sold 2,000 shares of Greif stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.14, for a total value of $146,280.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 63,832 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,668,672.48. This trade represents a 3.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders sold 6,000 shares of company stock worth $412,120. 7.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in Greif by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 6,065 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $362,000 after buying an additional 1,160 shares during the last quarter. Inceptionr LLC boosted its position in Greif by 35.1% during the 4th quarter. Inceptionr LLC now owns 5,337 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $361,000 after acquiring an additional 1,387 shares during the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Greif by 14.1% during the 4th quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 4,823 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $327,000 after acquiring an additional 596 shares in the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Greif during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $322,000. Finally, Zacks Investment Management acquired a new stake in shares of Greif in the third quarter valued at approximately $306,000. 45.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GEF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Bank of America lowered shares of Greif from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Greif from $79.00 to $78.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Greif from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Zacks Research upgraded Greif from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Greif from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Greif currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $74.25.

About Greif

Greif, Inc is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, with a history dating back to its founding in 1877. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company has evolved from a regional barrel and drum manufacturer into a diversified packaging provider serving a wide range of end markets. Greif’s longstanding heritage in container solutions has positioned it as a trusted partner for customers seeking reliable, high-quality packaging options.

The company’s core business revolves around the design, manufacture and sale of industrial packaging products, including steel, plastic and fiber drums; intermediate bulk containers (IBCs); safety closures; rigid, flexible and reconditioned packaging; containerboard and protective packaging.