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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedJan 10, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies25
  • 7D4.3%
  • 3M6.4%
  • 1Y-6.1%
  • YTD4.3%

Over the last 7 days, the Packaging industry has risen 4.3%, driven by gains in Smurfit Westrock and International Paper of 8.5% and 7.7%, respectively. However, the industry is down 6.1% over the past year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 19% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 10 Jan 2026US$161.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b21.5x28.6x1x
Mon, 08 Dec 2025US$150.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.9x26.6x0.9x
Wed, 05 Nov 2025US$144.8bUS$158.6bUS$5.6b19.3x25.7x0.9x
Fri, 03 Oct 2025US$160.8bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.9x32x1x
Sun, 31 Aug 2025US$167.6bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22.7x33.3x1.1x
Tue, 29 Jul 2025US$178.7bUS$145.2bUS$6.1b27.6x29.4x1.2x
Thu, 26 Jun 2025US$166.1bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b25.7x27.6x1.2x
Sat, 24 May 2025US$165.8bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b25.5x27.6x1.1x
Mon, 21 Apr 2025US$156.9bUS$149.9bUS$6.3b20.9x24.9x1x
Wed, 19 Mar 2025US$172.2bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.4x27.9x1.1x
Fri, 14 Feb 2025US$178.2bUS$156.3bUS$6.6b22.3x27.2x1.1x
Sun, 12 Jan 2025US$169.2bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b21.3x28.5x1.1x
Tue, 10 Dec 2024US$182.9bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b23.6x30.8x1.2x
Thu, 07 Nov 2024US$181.1bUS$153.3bUS$6.2b24.3x29.3x1.2x
Sat, 05 Oct 2024US$175.7bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.3x25.1x1.2x
Mon, 02 Sep 2024US$177.8bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b25.3x25.4x1.2x
Wed, 31 Jul 2024US$172.2bUS$149.4bUS$6.8b23.7x25.2x1.2x
Fri, 28 Jun 2024US$154.6bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b21.9x25.5x1x
Sun, 26 May 2024US$161.5bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b23.5x26.4x1x
Tue, 23 Apr 2024US$150.3bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.2x33.9x0.9x
Thu, 21 Mar 2024US$153.1bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.4x34.5x1x
Sat, 17 Feb 2024US$140.4bUS$154.0bUS$4.1b19.2x34.3x0.9x
Mon, 15 Jan 2024US$141.3bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.4x26.1x0.9x
Wed, 13 Dec 2023US$137.4bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b14.9x25.4x0.9x
Fri, 10 Nov 2023US$128.6bUS$156.9bUS$5.6b14.2x22.9x0.8x
Sun, 08 Oct 2023US$126.8bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.7x18x0.8x
Tue, 05 Sep 2023US$136.3bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13.9x19.4x0.9x
Thu, 03 Aug 2023US$136.5bUS$161.7bUS$7.1b13.7x19.2x0.8x
Sat, 01 Jul 2023US$133.5bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.5x16.9x0.8x
Mon, 29 May 2023US$128.4bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b12.5x16.2x0.8x
Wed, 26 Apr 2023US$133.4bUS$169.9bUS$10.7b12.8x12.5x0.8x
Fri, 24 Mar 2023US$131.3bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.4x12.2x0.8x
Sun, 19 Feb 2023US$144.3bUS$170.2bUS$10.5b14x13.8x0.8x
Tue, 17 Jan 2023US$145.6bUS$170.4bUS$10.0b14.1x14.6x0.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.6x


Total Market Cap: US$145.6bTotal Earnings: US$10.0bTotal Revenue: US$170.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.9x202420252026
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 28.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 24.9x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.99x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Packaging industry have declined 17% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.1% 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 Market1.82%
Materials6.49%
Packaging4.34%
Paper Packaging5.16%
Metal and Glass Containers2.38%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 28.5x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.9%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 3.3% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Metal and Glass Containers industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average of 22.0x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 22% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings growth rate of 3.3% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metal and Glass Containers industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 12% 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$42.988.5%
+US$1.8b		-17.0%PE29.9x
IP International PaperUS$43.347.7%
+US$1.6b		-19.9%PS0.9x
PKG Packaging Corporation of AmericaUS$219.353.9%
+US$735.5m		-3.8%PE22.1x
BALL BallUS$55.624.3%
+US$608.3m		6.9%PE20.9x
AMCR AmcorUS$8.652.9%
+US$553.6m		-8.1%PE34.3x

Latest News

AVY
US$188.40
Avery Dennison
7D
3.3%
1Y
1.9%

AVY: Intelligent Labels And Buybacks Will Support A More Constructive Outlook

Avery Dennison's fair value estimate has been lifted by about $4 to $206.80 as analysts factor in higher Street price targets and an outlook that acknowledges a challenging 2026 volume setup in packaging while also pointing to ongoing strength in beverage cans, disciplined containerboard pricing and improving sentiment around intelligent labels. Analyst Commentary Street research around Avery Dennison centers on how the company can execute through a tougher 2026 volume setup while still justifying higher valuation targets.
GPK
US$15.97
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
5.4%
1Y
-39.0%
SON
US$47.35
Sonoco Products
7D
6.7%
1Y
3.1%

SON: Future Packaging Reorganization Will Support Undervalued Cash Flow Potential

Analysts have nudged their price target on Sonoco Products higher to US$53.25, with the updated view reflecting slightly lower assumed discount rates, modestly adjusted revenue growth expectations, a small uplift in profit margin assumptions, and a steady future P/E outlook. What's in the News Sonoco Products plans to consolidate its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers operations into a single structure organized by two regions: Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas, effective from November 10, 2025 (company announcement).
SEE
US$41.51
Sealed Air
7D
-0.02%
1Y
25.6%
BALL
US$55.62
Ball
7D
4.3%
1Y
6.9%
SW
US$42.98
Smurfit Westrock
7D
8.5%
1Y
-17.0%

SW: Fair Value View Will Balance Impairment Risk And Earnings Potential

Analysts have nudged their price target for Smurfit Westrock to €44.50. The update reflects adjusted assumptions around revenue growth at 3.18%, profit margin at 6.18% and a forward P/E of 14.01x, while keeping fair value steady at €44.50.
PKG
US$219.35
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
3.9%
1Y
-3.8%

PKG: Greif Acquisition And Containerboard Pricing Are Expected To Drive Upside

Narrative Update on Packaging Corporation of America Our analyst price target for Packaging Corporation of America moves to $263 from $244 as analysts factor in updated earnings forecasts, a higher discount rate, revised revenue growth and margin assumptions, and a lower future P/E, along with their views on potential effects from the Greif acquisition and containerboard pricing. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts are updating their views on Packaging Corporation of America to reflect revised earnings estimates, ongoing industry pricing actions, and expected contributions from the pending Greif acquisition.
IP
US$43.34
International Paper
7D
7.7%
1Y
-19.9%

IP: Earnings Will Improve As $1.5B Asset Sale Drives Portfolio Reset

Analysts have modestly reduced their price target on International Paper by about $0.70 per share, reflecting slightly lower fair value and growth assumptions, while still acknowledging strategic portfolio actions and a potential inflection in margins and profits. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on International Paper reflects a mixed but generally constructive outlook, with some analysts highlighting improving strategic execution and others cautioning that expectations still embed meaningful risk.
ORBS
US$1.68
Eightco Holdings
7D
-7.7%
1Y
-0.6%
AMCR
US$8.65
Amcor
7D
2.9%
1Y
-8.1%
TRS
US$35.07
TriMas
7D
-3.4%
1Y
53.9%

TRS: Higher Margins And Share Repurchases Will Drive Future Upside Potential

Analysts have modestly raised their price target on TriMas from 41.50 dollars to 41.50 dollars, reflecting slightly higher long term margin expectations that more than offset a softer near term revenue growth outlook. What's in the News TriMas appointed longtime company veteran Paul Swart as Chief Financial Officer, effective December 15, 2025, succeeding interim CFO and board member Teresa M.
JBDI
US$0.71
JBDI Holdings
7D
-4.8%
1Y
0.4%