TD Securities Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) Stock Price

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) had its price objective cut by analysts at TD Securities from $25.00 to $20.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the basic materials company’s stock. TD Securities’ price objective indicates a potential upside of 30.29% from the stock’s current price.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Clearwater Paper in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Clearwater Paper from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of Clearwater Paper from $21.00 to $16.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Clearwater Paper from $33.00 to $30.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $24.00.

Clearwater Paper Price Performance

Shares of Clearwater Paper stock traded down $1.59 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $15.35. 400,175 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 217,692. The stock has a market cap of $246.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 2.10. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $18.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.33. Clearwater Paper has a 12 month low of $15.16 and a 12 month high of $30.96.

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The basic materials company reported ($0.42) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.50) by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $386.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $379.00 million. Clearwater Paper had a net margin of 9.14% and a negative return on equity of 3.65%.

Insider Transactions at Clearwater Paper

In other news, VP Steve M. Bowden sold 8,889 shares of Clearwater Paper stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.14, for a total transaction of $161,246.46. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 68,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,242,880.24. This trade represents a 11.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 3.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in Clearwater Paper in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in Clearwater Paper by 34.7% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,185 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 563 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Clearwater Paper during the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. CWM LLC increased its holdings in shares of Clearwater Paper by 2,215.1% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,380 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $92,000 after buying an additional 3,234 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Clearwater Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $114,000. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Clearwater Paper

Here are the key news stories impacting Clearwater Paper this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results modestly beat expectations: revenue was roughly in line (and slightly above consensus) and adjusted EPS topped estimates; the company reported stronger volumes and sales growth versus prior year, supporting near‑term top‑line stability. Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Management published the full earnings transcript and will present at the Bank of America Global Agricultural & Materials Conference later this month; investors will watch the presentation for additional color on pricing, demand, and cost actions. Clearwater Paper Announces Participation in Bank of America Conference
• Negative Sentiment: Management signaled a roughly $70 million pricing headwind for 2026 and set FY‑2026 revenue guidance below street expectations, signaling margin pressure as industry supply constraints and lower realized prices weigh on profitability. That guidance surprise is the main driver of the negative market reaction. Clearwater Paper signals $70M pricing headwind for 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Full‑year results showed mixed fundamentals: net sales rose (volumes up), but the company reported a year‑end net loss from continuing operations and weaker operating cash flow and cash balances — items that increase near‑term financial risk and amplify sensitivity to further margin pressure. Clearwater Paper Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2025 Results

About Clearwater Paper

Clearwater Paper Corporation is an independent manufacturer of premium tissue and pulp and paperboard products for private-label and commercial customers in North America. The company operates through two core segments: Consumer Products, which produces bathroom tissue, paper towels and other away-from-home tissue products under private-label contracts; and Pulp & Paperboard, which supplies bleached paperboard used in folding cartons, foodservice packaging and specialty paper applications.

The Consumer Products segment services retail grocers, warehouse clubs, online merchants and janitorial distributors, leveraging multiple converting facilities to produce roll and folded tissue items for both household and institutional use.