Analysts Set Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) Price Target at $16.63

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) has been given an average recommendation of “Reduce” by the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and eight have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $16.00.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial set a $14.00 price objective on Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 20th. UBS Group cut their price objective 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. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Robbert Rietbroek purchased 44,278 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $11.32 per share, with a total value of $501,226.96. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 44,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $501,226.96. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Quarry LP raised its stake in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,547 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 13,971.4% in the 4th 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. purchased a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 649.6% in the 4th 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 2nd quarter valued at about $42,000. 99.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Graphic Packaging Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GPK opened at $9.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.76 billion, a PE ratio of 6.31 and a beta of 0.65. Graphic Packaging has a 1 year low of $8.78 and a 1 year high of $26.40. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $12.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.52.

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

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

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 given 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 4.7%. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.73%.

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.