Zacks Research Analysts Lower Earnings Estimates for PKG

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a report released on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $2.67 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.71. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Packaging Corporation of America’s current full-year earnings is $10.44 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Packaging Corporation of America’s FY2026 earnings at $11.22 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.63 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.94 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $3.21 EPS.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.65 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS.

PKG has been the subject of a number of other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $238.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Packaging Corporation of America from $263.00 to $273.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen raised Packaging Corporation of America from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a report on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Packaging Corporation of America currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $236.17.

Packaging Corporation of America Stock Up 0.7%

PKG stock opened at $218.75 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.88. Packaging Corporation of America has a 12 month low of $172.71 and a 12 month high of $242.68. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $203.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $205.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 2.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the second quarter worth about $225,478,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in Packaging Corporation of America by 223.6% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,516,562 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $330,504,000 after buying an additional 1,047,902 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Packaging Corporation of America by 119.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,863,359 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $406,082,000 after buying an additional 1,015,894 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Packaging Corporation of America by 70.6% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,860,113 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $350,539,000 after buying an additional 769,806 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 13.7% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,085,196 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $672,357,000 after acquiring an additional 370,573 shares during the last quarter. 89.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Packaging Corporation of America’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.56%.

About Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.