Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT) AI Stock Analysis
KRT AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchKarat Packaging Inc. (KRT) manufactures and distributes single-use disposable products for the restaurant and foodservice sectors. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $493.4M in revenue with a profit margin of 10.2% and return on equity of 30.6%. The stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings multiple of 21.3x and provides a dividend yield of 3.53%.
- Market cap
- $1.06B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $493.4M
- P/E
- 21.3x
- 1Y return
- 127.3% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $46.50 -12.8% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly earnings increased 170.4% year-over-year for the period ended June 30, 2026.
- Trailing twelve-month return on equity reached a robust 30.6%.
- Full-year 2026 consensus projections call for 68.9% EPS growth to $2.72 on $524.9M in revenue.
Bear case
- The analyst mean price target of $46.50 is 12.8% below the last close of $53.31.
- The forward fiscal year estimate anticipates EPS will fall 14.3% to $2.33.
- The company's P/E of 21.3x and price-to-sales of 2.2x trade above the US-listed Consumer Cyclical peer medians of 18.0x and 0.7x.
What Karat Packaging does
Karat Packaging Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor specializing in single-use disposable products tailored for restaurant and foodservice environments. Based in Chino, California, the company produces items across plastic, paper, biopolymer-based, and compostable materials. Its offerings include food containers, take-out packaging, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, and gloves, marketed under the Karat Earth brand. Karat Packaging serves domestic and regional distributors, restaurant chains, retail outlets, and online customers, while also providing new product development, design, printing, and logistics services.
Growth and profitability
Karat Packaging generated a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.6% from FY2020 to FY2025. Annual revenue grew 10.7% in FY2025 to $467.7M, following $422.6M in FY2024 and $405.7M in FY2023. Net income was $31.5M in FY2025, compared to $30.0M in FY2024 and $32.5M in FY2023. Gross margin reached 36.8% in FY2025, down from 38.9% in FY2024, while operating margin stood at 8.8%. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, Karat Packaging reported quarterly revenue growth of 9.9% year-over-year and quarterly earnings growth of 170.4% year-over-year, bringing trailing twelve-month EPS to $2.50.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Karat Packaging held $54.1M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $72.7M, resulting in net debt of $18.6M. The company maintains a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44 on shareholders' equity of $166.5M. In FY2025, Karat Packaging generated $33.8M in operating cash flow and $29.3M in free cash flow. Capital expenditures for FY2025 were $4.5M, while capital returns included $3.0M in share buybacks and $36.1M in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
Karat Packaging has an enterprise value of $1.03B and a market capitalization of $1.06B. It trades at a trailing P/E of 21.3x, compared to 18.0x for the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers. The stock's EV-to-EBITDA stands at 13.8x, above the peer median of 11.1x, while its price-to-sales multiple is 2.2x versus the peer median of 0.7x. Over the past year, KRT posted a return of 127.3%, outperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%.
KRT dividend
Karat Packaging pays a forward annual dividend of $1.88 per share, yielding 3.53% based on a payout ratio of 72.8%. The company pays dividends quarterly and has maintained 5 consecutive years of dividend payments. Its last ex-dividend date was August 21, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 3 analysts, with 2 Strong Buy ratings and 1 Sell rating. The mean price target is $46.50, which sits 12.8% below the last close of $53.31. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $2.72 on revenue of $524.9M. Over the last four quarters, the company beat EPS estimates 2 times. The next earnings release is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Dividends paid in FY2025 totaled $36.1M, exceeding free cash flow of $29.3M and leaving a payout ratio of 72.8%.
- Net debt stood at $18.6M as of June 30, 2026, alongside $72.7M in total debt.
- Short interest represents 7.1% of the float, while insiders control 58.1% of ownership.
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 KRT AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT). 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: KRT income statement, KRT balance sheet, KRT key metrics, KRT analyst forecast, KRT chart. See the KRT stock overview for the latest quote and news.
KRT AI stock analysis FAQ
What dividend does Karat Packaging pay?
Karat Packaging pays a forward annual dividend of $1.88 per share, which yields 3.53%. The dividend is paid quarterly with a payout ratio of 72.8%.
How fast is Karat Packaging growing?
Karat Packaging grew revenue by 10.7% in FY2025 to $467.7M, achieving a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.6%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 9.9% and earnings rose 170.4% year-over-year.
When is Karat Packaging's next earnings report?
The company's next earnings date is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
What is Karat Packaging's valuation compared to peers?
Karat Packaging trades at a trailing P/E of 21.3x and an EV-to-EBITDA of 13.8x, both above the US-listed Consumer Cyclical peer medians of 18.0x and 11.1x.