Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $271.14.

Several equities analysts recently commented on PKG shares. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $246.00 price target (up from $245.00) on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $280.00 to $260.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 11th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Packaging Corporation of America from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Citigroup upped their target price on Packaging Corporation of America from $241.00 to $254.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $258.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th.

Packaging Corporation of America Stock Up 0.3%

NYSE PKG opened at $229.86 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Packaging Corporation of America has a 52 week low of $191.50 and a 52 week high of $259.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.85, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a fifty day moving average of $243.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $228.35.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.04. Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 7.25% and a return on equity of 18.94%. The business had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.48 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.910-2.910 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. Packaging Corporation of America’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 77.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Packaging Corporation of America

In other news, President Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 7,063 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $254.00, for a total value of $1,794,002.00. Following the transaction, the president directly owned 202,891 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,534,314. This represents a 3.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald R. Shirley sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.71, for a total transaction of $3,008,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 19,110 shares in the company, valued at $4,791,068.10. This represents a 38.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 40,391 shares of company stock valued at $10,196,101. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PKG. Fiduciary Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Packaging Corporation of America during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Oslo Pensjonsforsikring AS purchased a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the 1st quarter worth $41,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 116.0% in the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 203 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 2,300.0% during the 1st quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. 89.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. The company produces linerboard, corrugating medium and finished corrugated containers used to package and transport consumer, industrial, food and agricultural products.

PCA also manufactures specialty packaging products, including retail displays, protective packaging and custom-designed corrugated solutions. Through its Paper segment, the company produces and sells uncoated freesheet paper and related specialty papers for commercial printing, office use, converting and other applications.