Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK) AI Stock Analysis
GPK AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchGraphic Packaging Holding Company provides fiber-based packaging products and machinery for food, beverage, and consumer goods. While the company generated $8.64B in trailing twelve-month revenue, annual net income fell to $444.0M in FY2025 alongside negative free cash flow of -$81.0M. The stock closed at $8.57, reflecting a 1-year decline of 48.1%.
- Market cap
- $2.54B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $8.64B
- P/E
- 13.0x fwd 8.3x
- 1Y return
- -48.1% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $10.95 27.8% vs last close
Bull case
- Valuation multiples are discounted relative to the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers, including a forward P/E of 8.3x versus 14.1x and EV/EBITDA of 7.8x versus 11.1x.
- Analysts project next fiscal year earnings per share to rebound 47.2% to $1.00 on revenue of $8.79B.
- The stock provides a 5.13% dividend yield backed by a 40.0% payout ratio and 12 consecutive years of dividend payments.
Bear case
- In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, earnings fell 76.5% year-over-year while quarterly revenue dropped 0.7%.
- Free cash flow has remained negative over the last two fiscal years, recording -$363.0M in FY2024 and -$81.0M in FY2025.
- The balance sheet carries significant leverage, with net debt of $5.61B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80 as of June 30, 2026.
What Graphic Packaging does
Graphic Packaging Holding Company provides fiber-based packaging solutions tailored for the food, beverage, foodservice, and consumer products industries. Operating across three segments—Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging—the company supplies coated unbleached kraft, coated recycled paperboard, and solid bleached sulfate paperboard. These materials are converted into folding cartons, cups, lids, food containers, and barrier packaging designed to protect against moisture, temperature, grease, and oxygen. Graphic Packaging also designs, installs, and services specialized packaging machinery for bottles, cans, and non-beverage consumer products at customer facilities globally.
Growth and profitability
Graphic Packaging grew revenue at a 5-year CAGR of 5.6% from FY2020 to FY2025, reaching $9.44B in FY2022 before retreating to $8.81B in FY2024 and $8.62B in FY2025. Operating margin compressed from 14.1% in FY2023 to 13.1% in FY2024 and 10.1% in FY2025. Annual net income declined from $723.0M in FY2023 to $444.0M in FY2025, lowering EPS from $2.92 to $1.80. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $8.64B with a profit margin of 2.2% and EPS of $0.66. In the latest quarter, revenue fell 0.7% year-over-year while quarterly earnings fell 76.5%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Graphic Packaging held $205.0M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $5.81B, leaving net debt at $5.61B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80. Shareholders' equity was $3.24B within total assets of $11.66B, with a current ratio of 1.38. In FY2025, operating cash flow of $841.0M was exceeded by capital expenditures of $922.0M, generating free cash flow of -$81.0M. The company also spent $184.0M on share buybacks and $128.0M on dividends.
Valuation and performance
At $8.57 per share, Graphic Packaging trades at a trailing P/E of 13.0x and a forward P/E of 8.3x, both below the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers at 18.0x and 14.1x. Its enterprise value to EBITDA ratio is 7.8x versus the peer median of 11.1x, and its price-to-sales ratio is 0.3x compared to the peer median of 0.7x. Over the past year, the stock fell 48.1%, while the S&P 500 gained 16.8%. Over five years, the stock dropped 51.9% compared to an 83.0% gain for the benchmark.
GPK dividend
Graphic Packaging pays a quarterly dividend totaling an annualized $0.44 per share, resulting in a 5.13% dividend yield. The payout ratio stands at 40.0%, and dividends have been paid for 12 consecutive years. The company delivered an annualized dividend growth rate of 8.0% over the past 5 years, with its most recent ex-dividend date on September 15, 2026.
What analysts expect
Graphic Packaging carries 1 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 8 Holds, 1 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell rating. The mean price target of $10.95 sits 27.8% above the last close of $8.57. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $0.68 on revenue of $8.62B. For the following year, 10 analysts expect EPS to rise 47.2% to $1.00 on revenue of $8.79B. The company beat EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A cash balance of $205.0M relative to total debt of $5.81B creates vulnerability if operating cash flow deteriorates.
- Capital expenditures of $922.0M in FY2025 outpaced operating cash flow of $841.0M, threatening free cash flow generation.
- Short interest stands at 8.6% of float following a 1-year share price decline of 48.1%.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this GPK AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: GPK income statement, GPK balance sheet, GPK key metrics, GPK analyst forecast, GPK chart. See the GPK stock overview for the latest quote and news.
GPK AI stock analysis FAQ
What products does Graphic Packaging manufacture?
Graphic Packaging manufactures fiber-based packaging solutions, including paperboard materials like coated unbleached kraft, coated recycled paperboard, and solid bleached sulfate. These are converted into cups, lids, cartons, and food containers, alongside automated packaging machines.
What is Graphic Packaging's current dividend yield?
Graphic Packaging has an annual forward dividend of $0.44 per share, representing a 5.13% dividend yield at its closing price of $8.57.
How much debt does Graphic Packaging hold?
As of June 30, 2026, Graphic Packaging carried total debt of $5.81B and cash and short-term investments of $205.0M, resulting in net debt of $5.61B.
What are analysts' growth expectations for Graphic Packaging?
Analysts expect FY2026 EPS to decline 62.2% to $0.68 on $8.62B in revenue, followed by a 47.2% EPS increase to $1.00 on revenue of $8.79B in the following fiscal year.