Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) Receives $14.51 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $13.7333.

A number of analysts have recently commented on GPK shares. Zacks Research lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $9.60 price objective on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price target on Graphic Packaging from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Graphic Packaging from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Quarry LP grew its holdings in Graphic Packaging by 282.0% during the third 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 period. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position 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 valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,956 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 1,767 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 65.2% in the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 2,291 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 904 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.67% of the company’s stock.

Graphic Packaging Stock Performance

Shares of GPK stock opened at $9.93 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $10.61 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 6.71 and a beta of 0.69. Graphic Packaging has a 12 month low of $8.78 and a 12 month high of $25.81.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 16.58%. Equities research analysts expect that Graphic Packaging will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 15th were paid a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.4%. Graphic Packaging’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.73%.

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.