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U.S. Paper Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 21, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies11
  • 7D0.3%
  • 3M3.4%
  • 1Y-10.8%
  • YTDn/a

In the last week, Paper Packaging has been flat. Unfortunately though, the industry is down 11% over the past 12 months. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 28% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 21 Jul 2026US$105.8bUS$112.9bUS$626.1m22.5x168.9x0.9x
Thu, 18 Jun 2026US$103.1bUS$112.9bUS$626.6m22.6x164.6x0.9x
Sat, 16 May 2026US$95.7bUS$112.9bUS$626.5m21.2x152.8x0.8x
Mon, 13 Apr 2026US$100.7bUS$108.9bUS$871.6m21.4x115.5x0.9x
Wed, 11 Mar 2026US$110.4bUS$114.6bUS$1.3b19.5x87.9x1x
Fri, 06 Feb 2026US$120.9bUS$114.1bUS$858.4m26.8x140.9x1.1x
Sun, 04 Jan 2026US$110.2bUS$112.3bUS$3.3b21.2x33.2x1x
Tue, 02 Dec 2025US$107.0bUS$112.3bUS$3.3b20.5x32.2x1x
Thu, 30 Oct 2025US$114.7bUS$107.2bUS$3.3b19.8x34.4x1.1x
Sat, 27 Sep 2025US$114.3bUS$106.3bUS$3.3b21.5x35x1.1x
Mon, 25 Aug 2025US$119.5bUS$106.3bUS$3.3b21.2x36.5x1.1x
Wed, 23 Jul 2025US$120.8bUS$97.0bUS$4.2b24.6x28.6x1.2x
Fri, 20 Jun 2025US$112.9bUS$97.1bUS$4.2b22.6x26.8x1.2x
Sun, 18 May 2025US$120.9bUS$97.1bUS$4.2b23.7x28.7x1.2x
Tue, 15 Apr 2025US$105.5bUS$90.8bUS$4.1b20.3x25.5x1.2x
Thu, 13 Mar 2025US$116.0bUS$95.9bUS$4.0b21.2x29x1.2x
Sat, 08 Feb 2025US$127.7bUS$92.5bUS$4.2b19.3x30.2x1.4x
Mon, 06 Jan 2025US$115.4bUS$92.5bUS$4.1b19.8x28.5x1.2x
Wed, 04 Dec 2024US$125.1bUS$92.0bUS$4.0b19.9x30.9x1.4x
Fri, 01 Nov 2024US$120.6bUS$92.3bUS$4.3b23.4x28x1.3x
Sun, 29 Sep 2024US$118.8bUS$87.2bUS$4.6b27.7x25.6x1.4x
Tue, 27 Aug 2024US$114.3bUS$87.2bUS$4.6b23.9x24.7x1.3x
Thu, 25 Jul 2024US$112.8bUS$87.7bUS$4.2b24.1x26.7x1.3x
Sat, 22 Jun 2024US$100.5bUS$95.1bUS$3.7b22.8x26.9x1.1x
Mon, 20 May 2024US$100.4bUS$95.1bUS$3.7b22.8x26.9x1.1x
Wed, 17 Apr 2024US$92.8bUS$96.7bUS$1.8b19.9x52.4x1x
Fri, 15 Mar 2024US$94.7bUS$96.7bUS$1.8b21.2x53.5x1x
Sun, 11 Feb 2024US$83.9bUS$91.6bUS$1.4b20.1x59.4x0.9x
Tue, 09 Jan 2024US$85.0bUS$92.8bUS$2.3b16x37.6x0.9x
Thu, 07 Dec 2023US$81.8bUS$92.8bUS$2.3b15.4x36.2x0.9x
Sat, 04 Nov 2023US$77.7bUS$93.2bUS$2.4b14.6x32.5x0.8x
Mon, 02 Oct 2023US$77.0bUS$95.2bUS$3.5b11x22.1x0.8x
Wed, 30 Aug 2023US$77.2bUS$95.2bUS$3.5b11.8x22.1x0.8x
Fri, 28 Jul 2023US$77.8bUS$96.2bUS$3.7b11.7x20.8x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

20.8x


Total Market Cap: US$77.8bTotal Earnings: US$3.7bTotal Revenue: US$96.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Paper Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 47.7x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Paper Packaging industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 169x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 47.7x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.1x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 0.94x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Paper Packaging industry have declined 45% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 5.5% per year.
  • This means that although more sales are being generated, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Comparison

How does U.S. Paper Packaging compare with similar industries?

US Market-1.36%
Materials-1.75%
Packaging1.06%
Paper Packaging0.31%
Metal and Glass Containers2.65%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

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

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
AMCR AmcorUS$43.231.9%
+US$369.7m		-8.1%PE29.5x
PKG Packaging Corporation of AmericaUS$228.431.1%
+US$227.6m		13.4%PE27.5x
GPK Graphic Packaging HoldingUS$10.844.4%
+US$136.1m		-51.8%PE11.7x
SON Sonoco ProductsUS$54.591.8%
+US$92.9m		18.6%PE8.9x
MGIH Millennium Group International HoldingsUS$1.521.3%
+US$225.0k		-5.0%PS0.8x

Latest News

SW
US$43.14
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-0.02%
1Y
-5.1%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 20

Why I View Smurfit Westrock As Overvalued Above $40/Share

Summary Smurfit Westrock Plc is a BBB-rated, Ireland-based packaging company offering a well-covered 4.1% yield. SW trades at a seemingly high P/E due to multi-year earnings lows, making current valuation appear expensive. Despite sector-wide caution, I rate SW a 'Hold' with a $39/share price target, citing insufficient risk/reward upside. SW meets quality and dividend criteria but lacks compelling valuation or upside to justify a Buy at present. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SON
US$54.59
Sonoco Products
7D
1.8%
1Y
18.6%
IP
US$36.25
International Paper
7D
-2.0%
1Y
-29.4%
AMCR
US$43.23
Amcor
7D
1.9%
1Y
-8.1%
GPK
US$10.84
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
4.4%
1Y
-51.8%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

GPK: Boxboard Price Actions And Governance Reset Will Support Future Repricing

Analysts have trimmed the fair value estimate for Graphic Packaging Holding to about $16.13 from $16.84, reflecting slightly lower assumed future P/E multiples, while also factoring in higher revenue growth and modestly stronger profit margins supported by recent price target updates and mixed industry views from the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Graphic Packaging Holding points to a mixed but generally constructive tone, with several bullish analysts highlighting specific catalysts around pricing, end market demand, and valuation.
PKG
US$228.43
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
1.1%
1Y
13.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

PKG: Dividend Hike And June Pricing Actions Are Expected To Support Returns

Packaging Corporation of America’s analyst price target is updated from $235.90 to $245.00, as analysts factor in higher Street targets, including recent raises from UBS, BofA, Citi and Wells Fargo that reference pricing power, expected benefits from the June price hike, and a more balanced risk and reward profile. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Packaging Corporation of America highlights a mix of optimism around pricing power and caution around demand trends and valuation, giving you a balanced set of signals to weigh.
MGIH
US$1.52
Millennium Group International Holdings
7D
1.3%
1Y
-5.0%
AVY
US$158.36
Avery Dennison
7D
-0.6%
1Y
-11.5%
PACK
US$6.56
Ranpak Holdings
7D
-5.6%
1Y
81.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 28

PACK: Margin Potential And Automation Investments Will Support Balanced Long-Term Upside Potential

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Ranpak Holdings to about $7.08 from $7.75, citing updated assumptions around fair value, discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E estimates. What's in the News for Ranpak Holdings Ranpak Holdings reported that from January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026, it repurchased 0 shares for $0 million under its existing buyback program.