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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedApr 13, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies25
  • 7D3.6%
  • 3M-3.9%
  • 1Y-2.0%
  • YTD-0.2%

In the last week, the Packaging industry is up 3.6%, with Smurfit Westrock up 4.9%. Despite this gain, the industry's performance has been flat over the past year. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 20% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Packaging Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 13 Apr 2026US$149.5bUS$156.8bUS$3.4b20.1x44.4x1x
Wed, 11 Mar 2026US$159.6bUS$162.6bUS$3.8b19.7x42.5x1x
Fri, 06 Feb 2026US$173.4bUS$162.4bUS$3.3b22.1x52.1x1.1x
Sun, 04 Jan 2026US$156.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.8x27.7x1x
Tue, 02 Dec 2025US$151.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.9x26.7x0.9x
Thu, 30 Oct 2025US$159.3bUS$155.3bUS$5.5b20.4x29x1x
Sat, 27 Sep 2025US$158.5bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.9x31.5x1x
Mon, 25 Aug 2025US$167.7bUS$154.3bUS$5.1b22.5x32.8x1.1x
Wed, 23 Jul 2025US$172.3bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b27.7x28.6x1.2x
Fri, 20 Jun 2025US$162.7bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b25.7x27.1x1.1x
Sun, 18 May 2025US$169.9bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b26.9x28.3x1.2x
Tue, 15 Apr 2025US$156.7bUS$149.9bUS$6.3b22.4x24.9x1x
Thu, 13 Mar 2025US$170.7bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.4x27.6x1.1x
Sat, 08 Feb 2025US$183.7bUS$151.6bUS$6.5b22.1x28.4x1.2x
Mon, 06 Jan 2025US$170.4bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b21.8x28.7x1.1x
Wed, 04 Dec 2024US$187.9bUS$153.3bUS$5.9b24.6x31.6x1.2x
Fri, 01 Nov 2024US$181.0bUS$153.5bUS$6.3b23.9x28.9x1.2x
Sun, 29 Sep 2024US$181.5bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.6x25.9x1.2x
Tue, 27 Aug 2024US$174.6bUS$148.4bUS$7.0b22.2x24.9x1.2x
Thu, 25 Jul 2024US$171.0bUS$149.3bUS$6.6b23x26x1.1x
Sat, 22 Jun 2024US$156.4bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b22.2x25.8x1x
Mon, 20 May 2024US$161.1bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b22.8x26.3x1x
Wed, 17 Apr 2024US$150.4bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18x33.9x0.9x
Fri, 15 Mar 2024US$153.2bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.1x34.5x1x
Sun, 11 Feb 2024US$139.6bUS$154.1bUS$4.6b17.2x30.4x0.9x
Tue, 09 Jan 2024US$142.1bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.7x26.3x0.9x
Thu, 07 Dec 2023US$138.3bUS$156.1bUS$5.4b15x25.4x0.9x
Sat, 04 Nov 2023US$130.8bUS$156.0bUS$5.6b15.8x23.5x0.8x
Mon, 02 Oct 2023US$131.2bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13x18.6x0.8x
Wed, 30 Aug 2023US$135.0bUS$159.8bUS$7.1b13.6x19x0.8x
Fri, 28 Jul 2023US$139.5bUS$166.4bUS$7.3b14.1x19x0.8x
Sun, 25 Jun 2023US$129.3bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.2x16.4x0.8x
Tue, 23 May 2023US$131.3bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b12.9x16.6x0.8x
Thu, 20 Apr 2023US$137.2bUS$170.1bUS$10.8b13x12.7x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

12.7x


Total Market Cap: US$137.2bTotal Earnings: US$10.8bTotal Revenue: US$170.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 27.3x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Packaging industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 44.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 27.3x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 1.0x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Packaging industry have declined 32% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.7% per year.
  • This means overall sales from these companies are declining and profits are subsequently falling as well.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Materials industry?

US Market3.08%
Materials4.37%
Packaging3.62%
Metal and Glass Containers4.43%
Paper Packaging3.24%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 35.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 25.0%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 3.1% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Metal and Glass Containers industry, which is trading below its 3-year average of 22.3x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 25% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 3.1% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metal and Glass Containers industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 9.6% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
SW Smurfit WestrockUS$42.064.9%
+US$1.0b		1.5%PE31.5x
IP International PaperUS$36.504.5%
+US$831.3m		-23.3%PS0.8x
BALL BallUS$62.294.3%
+US$681.4m		27.6%PE18.2x
AMCR AmcorUS$41.163.4%
+US$627.9m		-13.7%PE31.9x
CCK Crown HoldingsUS$106.953.6%
+US$414.0m		24.3%PE16.1x

Latest News

AMCR
US$41.16
Amcor
7D
3.4%
1Y
-13.7%

AMCR: Future Returns Will Hinge On Post Reverse Split Multiple Re Rating

Amcor's updated analyst price target edges lower to $51.66 from $52.54 as analysts balance tempered valuation assumptions, including a slightly lower future P/E, against modestly higher modeled revenue growth and profit margins following recent mixed research calls. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Amcor reflects a split view, with some analysts turning more constructive while others are growing more cautious.
SLGN
US$41.48
Silgan Holdings
7D
5.1%
1Y
-16.3%
CCK
US$106.95
Crown Holdings
7D
3.6%
1Y
24.3%

CCK: Buybacks And Higher Dividend Are Expected To Drive Future Returns

Analysts now estimate Crown Holdings' fair value at about $127.85 per share, down slightly from $129, reflecting updated views on its discount rate, expected revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News Crown Holdings' Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on March 31, 2026, to shareholders of record on March 17, 2026.
SON
US$56.37
Sonoco Products
7D
4.0%
1Y
27.7%

SON: Renewable Power Agreement Will Support 2026 Cash Flows And Emissions Goals

Analysts have slightly adjusted their price target for Sonoco Products to $64.11 from $64.38. This reflects updated views on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions.
BALL
US$62.29
Ball
7D
4.3%
1Y
27.6%
SW
US$42.06
Smurfit Westrock
7D
4.9%
1Y
1.5%

SW: Mill Closures And Higher Future P/E Will Support Upside Potential

Analysts now see Smurfit Westrock's fair value at about $67.91 per share, compared with roughly $66.89 previously, reflecting updated views on the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News Smurfit Westrock plans to permanently close one of the paper machines at its La Tuque, Quebec, mill, which has an annual capacity of 127,000 tons of solid bleached sulfate, as part of efforts to address scale and cost challenges and support the long term competitiveness of its paperboard operations (Key Developments).
ATR
US$131.50
AptarGroup
7D
4.4%
1Y
-9.8%
ORBS
US$0.84
Eightco Holdings
7D
-2.3%
1Y
-17.2%
IP
US$36.50
International Paper
7D
4.5%
1Y
-23.3%

IP: European Containerboard Price Increases Will Support Turnaround Execution

The updated analyst price target for International Paper edges down by $0.40 to $46.47, as analysts balance recent conflicting signals in containerboard pricing with supportive commentary around European price increases and ongoing research coverage across the sector. Analyst Commentary Recent research on International Paper highlights a mixed picture, with bullish analysts pointing to supportive price actions in Europe and ongoing coverage, while more cautious voices focus on near term pricing pressure in U.S. containerboard and execution risks around the company’s transformation efforts.