Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Earns Hold Rating from Analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a hold rating and a $9.60 target price on the industrial products company’s stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on GPK. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Citigroup decreased 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. Robert W. Baird set a $15.00 target price on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, UBS Group cut 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. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $15.29.

Graphic Packaging Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE GPK opened at $9.69 on Wednesday. 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 company has a market cap of $2.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.54 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a 50 day moving average of $11.58 and a 200-day moving average of $14.85. Graphic Packaging has a 1-year low of $8.78 and a 1-year high of $26.36.

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

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 15th will be paid a $0.11 dividend. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio is presently 29.73%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Graphic Packaging

In other news, CEO Robbert Rietbroek acquired 44,278 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $11.32 per share, with a total value of $501,226.96. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 44,278 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $501,226.96. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.41% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPK. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 1,142 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in 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 valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,956 shares during the period. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Graphic Packaging in the third quarter valued at $31,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in Graphic Packaging by 649.6% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,767 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging during the 2nd quarter worth about $42,000. 99.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Graphic Packaging

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.