Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $9.46 and last traded at $9.6670, with a volume of 759906 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.81.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GPK has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Graphic Packaging from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Citigroup dropped their price target 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. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $13.00 price target on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $14.00 target price on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Graphic Packaging currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $16.63.

Graphic Packaging Stock Down 2.0%

The company’s 50-day moving average price is $13.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.30. The stock has a market cap of $2.84 billion, a PE ratio of 6.50 and a beta of 0.65.

Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) last announced its earnings results on Monday, March 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) 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 during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging Holding Company will post 2.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Investors 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. Graphic Packaging’s payout ratio is 29.73%.

Insider Transactions at Graphic Packaging

In related news, CEO Robbert Rietbroek purchased 44,278 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $11.32 per share, with a total value of $501,226.96. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 44,278 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $501,226.96. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in GPK. Causeway Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 251.3% in the third quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC now owns 2,601,576 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $50,913,000 after purchasing an additional 1,861,097 shares in the last quarter. Eminence Capital LP increased its stake in Graphic Packaging by 164.6% in the 3rd quarter. Eminence Capital LP now owns 7,648,135 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $149,674,000 after buying an additional 4,758,098 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Graphic Packaging by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 19,138,977 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $374,550,000 after buying an additional 1,502,681 shares in the last quarter. Royce & Associates LP lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 15.6% in the third quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 1,244,210 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $24,349,000 after acquiring an additional 167,623 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its stake in shares of Graphic Packaging by 48.0% in the second quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 234,885 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $4,949,000 after acquiring an additional 76,226 shares during the period. 99.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.