Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) Short Interest Up 29.5% in January

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 3,183,204 shares, an increase of 29.5% from the January 15th total of 2,457,428 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,415,096 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 3.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Approximately 3.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,415,096 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Packaging Corporation of America Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:PKG opened at $246.00 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 2.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $216.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $209.39. Packaging Corporation of America has a 1 year low of $172.71 and a 1 year high of $249.51.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.41 by ($0.09). Packaging Corporation of America had a return on equity of 19.18% and a net margin of 8.61%.The company had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.43 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 2.200-2.20 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Packaging Corporation of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Packaging Corporation of America’s dividend payout ratio is 58.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on PKG shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $233.00 to $234.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen raised Packaging Corporation of America from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 3rd. Citigroup raised their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $226.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $236.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Packaging Corporation of America

In related news, President Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 12,129 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.50, for a total transaction of $2,795,734.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 197,062 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,422,791. This represents a 5.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the 3rd quarter valued at $485,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 10.0% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 220,499 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $48,053,000 after acquiring an additional 20,016 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at about $1,306,000. Atlas FRM LLC grew its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 59.7% during the 2nd quarter. Atlas FRM LLC now owns 535,000 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $100,821,000 after acquiring an additional 200,000 shares during the period. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 32.2% during the 3rd quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 12,679 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,763,000 after purchasing an additional 3,085 shares during the last quarter. 89.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.