Greif (NYSE:GEF) Posts Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.03 EPS

Greif (NYSE:GEF) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The industrial products company reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.03), Zacks reports. Greif had a net margin of 7.52% and a return on equity of 8.46%. The firm had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Greif Stock Performance

Shares of Greif stock opened at $64.38 on Wednesday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $68.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.32. The company has a market cap of $2.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.84, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.23. Greif has a one year low of $51.40 and a one year high of $77.14.

Greif Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th were given a $0.56 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 16th. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Greif’s dividend payout ratio is 82.96%.

Insider Transactions at Greif

In other news, SVP Gaylord Benner sold 2,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.58, for a total value of $211,624.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 7,163 shares in the company, valued at $541,379.54. This trade represents a 28.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Lawrence A. Hilsheimer sold 22,778 shares of Greif stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.83, for a total value of $1,636,143.74. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 22,252 shares of company stock worth $1,971,735 and sold 54,211 shares worth $3,948,606. Company insiders own 7.70% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Greif

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simplex Trading LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Greif by 399.5% in the fourth quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 1,482 shares in the last quarter. Man Group plc purchased a new position in shares of Greif during the 4th quarter worth approximately $201,000. Odyssean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Greif during the 4th quarter worth approximately $209,000. Mariner LLC acquired a new position in shares of Greif during the 4th quarter worth approximately $220,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System purchased a new stake in Greif in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $221,000. 45.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Greif from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Greif from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Robert W. Baird set a $75.00 price target on Greif in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on Greif from $71.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $73.75.

About Greif

Greif, Inc is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, with a history dating back to its founding in 1877. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company has evolved from a regional barrel and drum manufacturer into a diversified packaging provider serving a wide range of end markets. Greif’s longstanding heritage in container solutions has positioned it as a trusted partner for customers seeking reliable, high-quality packaging options.

The company’s core business revolves around the design, manufacture and sale of industrial packaging products, including steel, plastic and fiber drums; intermediate bulk containers (IBCs); safety closures; rigid, flexible and reconditioned packaging; containerboard and protective packaging.