DailyIQ
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Sector:Consumer CyclicalAll sectors
Last updated 26 minutes ago

PKG·Packaging Corporation of America

$.
-. (-.%)
High
$219.46
Open
$215.63
Market Cap
19.37B
52W High
$249.51
Low
$214.55
P. Close
$217.99
P/E
26.14
52W Low
$184.76
Fwd P/E
17.67
Mean Target
$235.90
Technical Score (1D)
59
BUY
News Sentiment
54
MIXED
Packaging Corporation of America has requested an extension for regulatory deadlines related to its International Falls Hydroelectric Project. This extension is to allow more time for environmental impact studies, including fish protection measures and agency coordination. While this is a regulatory matter, it underscores the ongoing environmental considerations for industrial assets and their operational requirements. Separately, a broader market analysis notes a cautious analyst sentiment towards certain stocks, which can influence investor perception and potential price movements. Traders should monitor how this general bearish sentiment might affect investor outlook for companies, including those in the packaging sector.
Earnings Summary
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) is a prominent North American producer of containerboard and uncoated freesheet paper, operating within the Consumer Cyclical sector's Packaging & Containers industry. The company's business is structured around its Packaging segment, which manufactures corrugated packaging solutions for various industries, and its Paper segment, which produces commodity and specialty papers. PKG, with a history dating back to 1867, provides essential products through a direct sales and marketing approach. In its most recent reported quarters, PKG demonstrated a mixed EPS performance against estimates. For Q1 2026, the company reported an actual EPS of $2.40 against an estimate of $2.16, marking a beat. This followed a Q4 2025 where actual EPS was $2.32, missing the estimate of $2.43. Revenue trends have shown some fluctuation; Q1 2026 revenue was $2.37 billion against an estimate of $2.44 billion, a miss, while Q4 2025 revenue was $2.36 billion, beating the estimate of $2.46 billion. The company's revenue has generally hovered around the $2.14 billion to $2.37 billion mark in the recent quarters for which data is available. Historically, PKG has shown a pattern of revenue growth, with Q3 2025 revenue reaching $2.31 billion, a notable increase from prior periods. The company has experienced both beats and misses on EPS estimates, with Q1 2026 being a recent beat and Q4 2025 a miss. Recent news indicates positive analyst sentiment, with UBS upgrading PKG to a Buy rating and raising its price target, suggesting increased confidence in future performance. Additionally, PKG announced a dividend increase, signaling financial stability and a commitment to shareholder returns, which aligns with the sector's strong Q1 results that exceeded revenue estimates, driven partly by the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions. Investors will be watching for PKG's ability to sustain its revenue growth trajectory and continue to meet or exceed analyst expectations for both earnings per share and revenue in upcoming quarters, particularly in light of the positive analyst outlook and the ongoing demand for sustainable packaging options.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$2.06$2.27$2.49$2.70$2.92Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$2.35 - -
Q1'26$2.16$2.40+11.1%
Q4'25$2.43$2.32-4.5%
Q3'25$2.82$2.73-3.1%
Q2'25$2.44$2.48+1.5%
Q1'25$2.21$2.31+4.3%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$2.1B$2.2B$2.3B$2.5B$2.6BQ1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$2.5B - -
Q1'26$2.4B$2.4B-3.0%
Q4'25$2.5B$2.4B-4.0%
Q3'25 - $2.3B -
Q2'25 - $2.2B -
Q1'25 - $2.1B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
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Market Data

PKG Stock Snapshot

PKG is currently trading at $216.23, giving Packaging Corporation of America a market cap of 19.37B and a P/E ratio of 26.1. Today's range spans $214.55–$219.46, with shares opening at $215.63 and moving down $1.76 (0.8%) from the prior close. DailyIQ's technical score sits at 59/100 (HOLD) with a news sentiment reading of 54/100.

Over the past year PKG has traded between $184.76 and $249.51 - the current price is +17.0% off the 52-week low and -13.3% from the high. 18 analysts cover the stock with a Hold consensus and a mean 12-month target of $235.90 (range $167.00–$258.00), implying upside of +9.1%.

The setup for Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) is neither bullish nor bearish - it's patient. Score: 59/100 (HOLD). Sentiment: neutral (54/100). Price: $216.23 (in the middle of its 52-week range in $184.76–$249.51). The current P/E ratio stands at 26.1. A large-cap with 19.37B in Consumer Cyclical market cap in a neutral technical phase is exactly where position-sizing decisions get made before the next trend emerges.

Portfolio construction in Consumer Cyclical often uses large-cap names like PKG as tactical swing positions during neutral phases: cheap enough to overweight, liquid enough to exit quickly, and large enough to provide meaningful sector beta. The current 59/100 (HOLD) at $216.23 (in the middle of its 52-week range) and neutral sentiment (54/100) frame the position as a catalyst play within the $184.76–$249.51 annual range rather than a directional bet.