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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedFeb 26, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies26
  • 7D-4.3%
  • 3M15.2%
  • 1Y-2.2%
  • YTD11.1%

Over the last 7 days, the Packaging industry has dropped 2.8%, driven by Smurfit Westrock declining 11%. As for the longer term, the industry's performance has been flat for the past year. 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
Thu, 26 Feb 2026US$175.6bUS$162.9bUS$3.7b22x47.8x1.1x
Sat, 24 Jan 2026US$161.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b22.1x28.6x1x
Mon, 22 Dec 2025US$152.9bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.3x27.1x1x
Wed, 19 Nov 2025US$145.4bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.3x25.7x0.9x
Fri, 17 Oct 2025US$156.3bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.1x31.1x1x
Sun, 14 Sep 2025US$164.7bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22.1x32.7x1.1x
Tue, 12 Aug 2025US$165.0bUS$152.7bUS$5.4b22.2x30.4x1.1x
Thu, 10 Jul 2025US$175.4bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b27.8x29.2x1.2x
Sat, 07 Jun 2025US$164.0bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b25.9x27.3x1.1x
Mon, 05 May 2025US$152.7bUS$144.2bUS$5.9b20.3x25.9x1.1x
Wed, 02 Apr 2025US$172.0bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.3x27.9x1.1x
Fri, 28 Feb 2025US$182.0bUS$155.0bUS$6.2b23.9x29.4x1.2x
Sun, 26 Jan 2025US$179.9bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b22.3x30.3x1.2x
Tue, 24 Dec 2024US$173.2bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b22.3x29.2x1.1x
Thu, 21 Nov 2024US$180.0bUS$153.3bUS$5.9b23.8x30.3x1.2x
Sat, 19 Oct 2024US$177.7bUS$148.6bUS$6.7b28.1x26.6x1.2x
Mon, 16 Sep 2024US$175.5bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b25.8x25.1x1.2x
Wed, 14 Aug 2024US$162.3bUS$148.5bUS$6.9b23.8x23.4x1.1x
Fri, 12 Jul 2024US$160.6bUS$149.6bUS$6.6b20.5x24.4x1.1x
Sun, 09 Jun 2024US$159.7bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b22.5x26.4x1x
Tue, 07 May 2024US$157.1bUS$156.9bUS$6.2b21.9x25.4x1x
Thu, 04 Apr 2024US$156.0bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.8x35.2x1x
Sat, 02 Mar 2024US$149.7bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b17.5x33.7x0.9x
Mon, 29 Jan 2024US$143.2bUS$155.8bUS$5.4b15.3x26.6x0.9x
Wed, 27 Dec 2023US$141.9bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.7x26.3x0.9x
Fri, 24 Nov 2023US$131.8bUS$156.1bUS$5.4b14.5x24.2x0.8x
Sun, 22 Oct 2023US$121.8bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.3x17.3x0.8x
Tue, 19 Sep 2023US$132.7bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13.1x18.8x0.8x
Thu, 17 Aug 2023US$131.8bUS$160.0bUS$7.0b13.8x18.8x0.8x
Sat, 15 Jul 2023US$134.3bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.7x17x0.8x
Mon, 12 Jun 2023US$131.5bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b13.3x16.6x0.8x
Wed, 10 May 2023US$132.8bUS$168.5bUS$8.0b13.2x16.7x0.8x
Fri, 07 Apr 2023US$136.2bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.5x12.6x0.8x
Sun, 05 Mar 2023US$143.6bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.9x13.3x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

13.3x


Total Market Cap: US$143.6bTotal Earnings: US$10.8bTotal Revenue: US$170.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 26.1x202420252026
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 47.9x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 26.1x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 1.00x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Packaging industry have declined 30% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues have remained mostly flat.
  • This means that although sales have remained flat, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Trends

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

US Market0.90%
Materials2.25%
Packaging-4.32%
Metal and Glass Containers-0.88%
Paper Packaging-5.75%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 31.8x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.4%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 2.4% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Metal and Glass Containers industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average of 22.1x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 24% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 2.4% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metal and Glass Containers industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 9.5% 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
ATR AptarGroupUS$142.680.7%
+US$61.8m		-2.7%PE23.4x
CCK Crown HoldingsUS$114.550.4%
+US$52.7m		30.1%PE17.4x
MYE Myers IndustriesUS$22.790.3%
+US$2.2m		109.7%PE30.6x
JBDI JBDI HoldingsUS$0.774.2%
+US$586.1k		27.2%PS1.8x

Latest News

PKG
US$230.92
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
-3.4%
1Y
8.5%
OI
US$12.88
O-I Glass
7D
-14.1%
1Y
12.4%

OI: Share Repurchases Will Support Future Upside Potential

Analysts have nudged their price target on O-I Glass higher from about $17.89 to $18.56. They cited updated assumptions on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E as the key drivers behind the revised view.
AVY
US$192.79
Avery Dennison
7D
-1.3%
1Y
3.8%

AVY: Fair 2026 Outlook Balances Intelligent Labels Promise And Packaging Volume Risks

Analysts have lifted their price targets on Avery Dennison by up to $24, reflecting updated views on 2026 packaging volumes, intelligent labels demand, and pricing power across key end markets. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Avery Dennison centers on updated 2026 assumptions for packaging volumes, intelligent labels adoption, and pricing, which is feeding directly into refreshed valuation work and higher price targets across several firms.
BALL
US$66.03
Ball
7D
-0.4%
1Y
27.0%
CCK
US$114.55
Crown Holdings
7D
0.4%
1Y
30.1%
AMCR
US$48.82
Amcor
7D
-1.6%
1Y
-3.2%
ATR
US$142.68
AptarGroup
7D
0.7%
1Y
-2.7%
MYE
US$22.79
Myers Industries
7D
0.3%
1Y
109.7%
SW
US$45.97
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-11.3%
1Y
-14.1%

SW: Fair Value View Will Weigh Quebec Closures Against Earnings Potential

Analysts have raised their price target on Smurfit WestRock from $44.50 to $51.00. They attribute the higher valuation mainly to a revised future P/E assumption of 20.49x, along with adjusted expectations for revenue growth and profit margins.
GPK
US$12.01
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
-8.3%
1Y
-55.5%

GPK: Deteriorating 2026 Pricing And Volume Outlook Will Pressure Earnings

Analysts have reduced their fair value estimate for Graphic Packaging Holding to $11.00 from $15.00. This reflects updated views on revenue trends, profit margins and the appropriate P/E multiple following a series of recent price target cuts and rating changes across the Street.
IP
US$43.66
International Paper
7D
-9.9%
1Y
-21.7%

IP: Planned Split And Sector Pricing Risks Will Pressure Execution

Analysts made a modest upward adjustment to their consolidated price target on International Paper, with changes generally within a $1 range. This reflects mixed views that balance slightly stronger long term margin and growth assumptions against recent rating shifts and updated expectations for sector pricing and the planned company split.
JBDI
US$0.77
JBDI Holdings
7D
4.2%
1Y
27.2%