BidaskClub Lowers Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) to Hold

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK) was downgraded by analysts at BidaskClub from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, July 19th.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of Graphic Packaging Holding from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. DA Davidson initiated coverage on shares of Graphic Packaging Holding in a report on Monday, July 10th. They set a “buy” rating and a $17.50 target price for the company. Jefferies Group LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $15.00 target price (up from $14.00) on shares of Graphic Packaging Holding in a report on Friday, July 14th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $15.50 target price on shares of Graphic Packaging Holding in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Finally, Citigroup Inc. reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Graphic Packaging Holding in a report on Friday, April 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Graphic Packaging Holding has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $15.73.

Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK) traded down 0.75% on Wednesday, hitting $13.15. 2,906,809 shares of the stock traded hands. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $13.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.29. The company has a market capitalization of $4.08 billion, a PE ratio of 24.40 and a beta of 1.15. Graphic Packaging Holding has a 12 month low of $12.00 and a 12 month high of $14.70.

Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.15. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.09 billion. Graphic Packaging Holding had a net margin of 3.98% and a return on equity of 18.22%. Graphic Packaging Holding’s revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.19 EPS. Analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging Holding will post $0.69 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director G Andrea Botta sold 10,982 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.45, for a total transaction of $147,707.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.02% of the company’s stock.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. boosted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding by 1.5% in the first quarter. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. now owns 8,039 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding during the first quarter valued at $104,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding by 124.0% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 10,082 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 5,582 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding by 14.4% in the fourth quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,729 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $133,000 after buying an additional 1,348 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Boston Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding during the first quarter valued at $136,000. 95.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company Profile

Graphic Packaging Holding Company is a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a range of products to food, beverage and other consumer product companies. The Company’s segments include Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, Europe Paperboard Packaging, and Corporate and Other. The Paperboard Mills segment includes the Company’s North American paperboard mills, which produce primarily coated unbleached kraft and coated recycled board.