Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Stock Price Expected to Rise, UBS Group Analyst Says

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) had its target price lifted by equities researchers at UBS Group from $9.50 to $11.50 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “neutral” rating on the industrial products company’s stock. UBS Group‘s price target would suggest a potential downside of 2.17% from the company’s current price.

GPK has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $9.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $9.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Truist Financial set a $9.00 price objective on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Graphic Packaging currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $11.01.

Graphic Packaging Stock Up 3.9%

Shares of GPK traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $11.76. 21,083,345 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,768,150. Graphic Packaging has a 52 week low of $8.15 and a 52 week high of $17.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The company’s 50 day moving average is $9.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.68. The company has a market capitalization of $3.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.81 and a beta of 0.65.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $2.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.17 billion. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 9.95% and a net margin of 2.25%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.58 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Graphic Packaging will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GPK. AlphaCore Capital LLC lifted its position in Graphic Packaging by 21.2% during the third quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 23,953 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $219,000 after acquiring an additional 4,182 shares during the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. boosted its stake in Graphic Packaging by 10.4% in the third quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 1,917,440 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $17,353,000 after acquiring an additional 181,228 shares in the last quarter. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP boosted its stake in Graphic Packaging by 285.9% in the third quarter. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP now owns 112,425 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,035,000 after acquiring an additional 83,289 shares in the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP grew its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 45.3% in the third quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 61,200 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $554,000 after purchasing an additional 19,089 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP purchased a new position in Graphic Packaging in the third quarter worth $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.67% of the company’s stock.

Key Graphic Packaging News

Here are the key news stories impacting Graphic Packaging this week:

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target to $12 from $11.50 and kept an Overweight rating. RBC also lifted its target, to $12 from $9, while maintaining Sector Perform. Both targets suggest limited upside from the cited $11.76 share price. JPMorgan rating details RBC rating details
• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS of $0.23 narrowly beat the $0.22 consensus, and revenue of $2.19 billion topped estimates. Sales were slightly higher year over year, volumes rose 1%, and adjusted EBITDA margin improved sequentially for a second consecutive quarter—supporting the positive reaction to the report. Third-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Graphic Packaging and Combined Technologies are making the Boardio paperboard canister available to nutraceutical brands as a rigid-plastic alternative. The partnership could expand the company’s sustainable packaging offering, though the financial contribution is not yet specified. Boardio announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Robbert Rietbroek and Interim CFO Charles Lischer are scheduled to present at the Baird Global Industrial Conference on November 10. The webcast may provide investors with updates, but no new financial guidance was announced. Conference announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the slight quarterly beat, EPS fell to $0.23 from $0.58 a year earlier, while net income was $22 million. This sharp year-over-year earnings decline and thin profitability may temper optimism around the results.
• Negative Sentiment: Truist reaffirmed its Hold rating but raised its target only to $10 from $9, implying downside from the cited share price and signaling valuation concerns. Truist rating details

Graphic Packaging Company Profile

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, through its subsidiary Graphic Packaging International, develops and manufactures fiber-based packaging products for consumer goods companies. Its offerings include paperboard folding cartons, beverage carriers, cups, foodservice packaging, and other packaging solutions designed for products sold in grocery, foodservice, beverage, and household markets.

The company serves brand owners and manufacturers across a range of end markets, including food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, and foodservice.