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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedMar 09, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies27
  • 7D-7.7%
  • 3M9.2%
  • 1Y-6.7%
  • YTD3.4%

The Packaging industry is down 7.7% over the last week with Amcor the worst performer, down 10%. Overall the industry is down 6.7% in 12 months. 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, 09 Mar 2026US$161.4bUS$162.6bUS$3.8b19.8x43x1x
Wed, 04 Feb 2026US$162.6bUS$159.3bUS$3.4b22.7x47.5x1x
Fri, 02 Jan 2026US$154.4bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.5x27.3x1x
Sun, 30 Nov 2025US$151.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20x26.7x0.9x
Tue, 28 Oct 2025US$160.8bUS$155.2bUS$5.5b20.9x29.3x1x
Thu, 25 Sep 2025US$161.3bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.8x32.1x1x
Sat, 23 Aug 2025US$164.7bUS$154.3bUS$5.1b22.5x32.3x1.1x
Mon, 21 Jul 2025US$171.8bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b27.3x28.6x1.2x
Wed, 18 Jun 2025US$164.8bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b25.7x27.4x1.1x
Fri, 16 May 2025US$168.1bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b23.7x27.9x1.2x
Sun, 13 Apr 2025US$156.7bUS$149.9bUS$6.3b22x24.9x1x
Tue, 11 Mar 2025US$177.5bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.5x28.7x1.1x
Thu, 06 Feb 2025US$182.2bUS$151.6bUS$6.1b22.4x29.9x1.2x
Sat, 04 Jan 2025US$171.2bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b21.8x28.8x1.1x
Mon, 02 Dec 2024US$188.2bUS$153.3bUS$5.9b24.6x31.7x1.2x
Wed, 30 Oct 2024US$178.2bUS$148.8bUS$6.8b24.6x26.3x1.2x
Fri, 27 Sep 2024US$177.9bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.5x25.4x1.2x
Sun, 25 Aug 2024US$174.6bUS$148.4bUS$7.0b22.2x24.9x1.2x
Tue, 23 Jul 2024US$167.6bUS$149.6bUS$6.6b22.4x25.5x1.1x
Thu, 20 Jun 2024US$156.6bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b22.1x25.8x1x
Sat, 18 May 2024US$161.0bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b22.8x26.3x1x
Mon, 15 Apr 2024US$151.2bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.2x34.1x1x
Wed, 13 Mar 2024US$153.6bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.3x34.6x1x
Fri, 09 Feb 2024US$137.4bUS$154.1bUS$4.6b17x29.9x0.9x
Sun, 07 Jan 2024US$142.1bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.7x26.3x0.9x
Tue, 05 Dec 2023US$139.9bUS$156.1bUS$5.4b15.2x25.7x0.9x
Thu, 02 Nov 2023US$125.4bUS$157.5bUS$5.9b14.3x21.1x0.8x
Sat, 30 Sep 2023US$130.9bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13x18.6x0.8x
Mon, 28 Aug 2023US$131.8bUS$159.8bUS$7.1b13.4x18.6x0.8x
Wed, 26 Jul 2023US$140.5bUS$167.2bUS$7.6b14.4x18.6x0.8x
Fri, 23 Jun 2023US$131.5bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.7x16.6x0.8x
Sun, 21 May 2023US$131.3bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b12.8x16.6x0.8x
Tue, 18 Apr 2023US$136.5bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.8x12.7x0.8x
Thu, 16 Mar 2023US$130.5bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.1x12.1x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

12.1x


Total Market Cap: US$130.5bTotal Earnings: US$10.8bTotal Revenue: US$170.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 26.4x202420252026
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 43.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 26.4x.
  • 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 Market-2.17%
Materials-8.40%
Packaging-7.69%
Metal and Glass Containers-7.38%
Paper Packaging-7.83%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 32.6x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.3%, 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 below its 3-year average of 22.2x.
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 9.2% 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
SEE Sealed AirUS$41.980.05%
+US$2.9m		38.0%PE14x

Latest News

AVY
US$179.64
Avery Dennison
7D
-7.9%
1Y
-3.7%
SEE
US$41.98
Sealed Air
7D
0.05%
1Y
38.0%
IP
US$39.53
International Paper
7D
-7.8%
1Y
-20.8%
CCK
US$105.81
Crown Holdings
7D
-8.9%
1Y
16.0%
ATR
US$132.08
AptarGroup
7D
-7.4%
1Y
-12.3%
SW
US$42.85
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-8.5%
1Y
-0.8%

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

Analysts have updated their view on Smurfit Westrock with a higher price target, lifting fair value from $63.00 to about $66.89 as they factor in revised assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E. 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 production capacity of 127,000 tons of solid bleached sulfate, citing ongoing scale and cost challenges in that asset (Key Developments).
BALL
US$62.53
Ball
7D
-5.9%
1Y
15.9%

BALL: 2026 Packaging Volume Headwinds Will Test Overly Optimistic Sentiment

Analysts have raised their average price targets on Ball, and that shift is reflected in our fair value estimate moving from about $51.87 to $60.33 as they factor in slightly lower modeled revenue growth, a small reduction in discount rate, a modestly higher profit margin, and a higher assumed future P/E multiple supported by recent positive research updates from banks including Citi, UBS, Truist, BofA, RBC Capital, Morgan Stanley, Mizuho, Baird, and Wells Fargo. Analyst Commentary Recent research coverage on Ball has been heavily focused on adjusting price targets, with multiple firms revisiting their assumptions on growth, profitability, and valuation multiples.
PKG
US$222.52
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
-3.8%
1Y
11.7%

PKG: Containerboard Price Weakness Will Challenge 2026 Returns

Analysts have nudged their price targets for Packaging Corporation of America higher overall, with moves such as BofA's increase to $255 and Truist's to $273, while smaller trims from other firms partly offset these changes. The revisions reflect mixed views on containerboard pricing, demand softness, and the potential for disciplined supply management to support margins and valuation multiples.
AMCR
US$43.28
Amcor
7D
-10.1%
1Y
-15.6%

AMCR: Future Returns Will Weigh Berry Synergies Against Execution And Volume Risks

Narrative Update on Amcor The updated analyst price targets for Amcor, with moves such as BofA's shift to $9.70 and Truist's increase to $12, reflect a mixed but generally constructive view as analysts weigh potential earnings synergies from the Berry Global deal against more cautious assumptions embedded in slightly revised discount rate and future P/E inputs. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Amcor gives you a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms updating ratings and price targets around the proposed Berry Global acquisition and the outlook for packaging demand.