Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Sets New 52-Week Low – Here’s Why

Shares of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $10.61 and last traded at $10.70, with a volume of 773655 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.22.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $15.00 price target on Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Zacks Research cut Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 12th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Graphic Packaging has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $16.63.

Graphic Packaging Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market cap of $3.10 billion, a PE ratio of 7.09 and a beta of 0.65. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $13.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.27.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.10 billion during the quarter. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 16.58%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging Holding Company will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.2%. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.73%.

Insider Activity at Graphic Packaging

In other news, CEO Robbert Rietbroek bought 44,278 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.32 per share, for a total transaction of $501,226.96. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 44,278 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $501,226.96. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPK. Quarry LP increased its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,970 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,956 shares during the last quarter. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging in the third quarter worth $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 649.6% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC bought a new position in Graphic Packaging during the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.67% of the company’s stock.

Graphic Packaging Company Profile

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.