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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedMar 16, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies27
  • 7D-3.3%
  • 3M1.1%
  • 1Y-7.9%
  • YTD-1.1%

Over the last 7 days, the Packaging industry has dropped 3.3%, driven by Smurfit Westrock declining 5.6%. However, the industry is down 7.9% over the past year. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 19% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 16 Mar 2026US$154.4bUS$162.6bUS$3.8b18.7x41.2x0.9x
Wed, 11 Feb 2026US$175.1bUS$162.5bUS$3.3b23x53x1.1x
Fri, 09 Jan 2026US$155.4bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b21.1x27.5x1x
Sun, 07 Dec 2025US$150.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.9x26.6x0.9x
Tue, 04 Nov 2025US$146.2bUS$158.3bUS$5.4b19.5x27x0.9x
Thu, 02 Oct 2025US$161.0bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22x32x1x
Sat, 30 Aug 2025US$166.3bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22.7x33.1x1.1x
Mon, 28 Jul 2025US$178.7bUS$145.2bUS$6.1b27.9x29.4x1.2x
Wed, 25 Jun 2025US$166.1bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b26x27.6x1.2x
Fri, 23 May 2025US$166.2bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b25.7x27.7x1.2x
Sun, 20 Apr 2025US$156.9bUS$149.9bUS$6.3b20.9x24.9x1x
Tue, 18 Mar 2025US$170.6bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.4x27.6x1.1x
Thu, 13 Feb 2025US$181.1bUS$156.3bUS$6.6b21.7x27.6x1.2x
Sat, 11 Jan 2025US$171.3bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b21.3x28.8x1.1x
Mon, 09 Dec 2024US$182.9bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b23.4x30.8x1.2x
Wed, 06 Nov 2024US$179.6bUS$153.3bUS$6.2b24.6x29x1.2x
Fri, 04 Oct 2024US$177.8bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.1x25.4x1.2x
Sun, 01 Sep 2024US$177.8bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b25.3x25.4x1.2x
Tue, 30 Jul 2024US$172.9bUS$149.4bUS$6.8b23.6x25.2x1.2x
Thu, 27 Jun 2024US$155.7bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b22.1x25.7x1x
Sat, 25 May 2024US$159.9bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b23.5x26.1x1x
Mon, 22 Apr 2024US$150.3bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.2x33.9x0.9x
Wed, 20 Mar 2024US$153.1bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.4x34.5x1x
Fri, 16 Feb 2024US$139.4bUS$154.1bUS$4.1b19.1x33.9x0.9x
Sun, 14 Jan 2024US$141.3bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.4x26.1x0.9x
Tue, 12 Dec 2023US$139.0bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.1x25.7x0.9x
Thu, 09 Nov 2023US$128.7bUS$156.9bUS$5.6b14.4x22.9x0.8x
Sat, 07 Oct 2023US$126.8bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.7x18x0.8x
Mon, 04 Sep 2023US$136.3bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13.9x19.4x0.9x
Wed, 02 Aug 2023US$137.9bUS$161.6bUS$7.3b13.9x19x0.9x
Fri, 30 Jun 2023US$132.3bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.5x16.7x0.8x
Sun, 28 May 2023US$128.4bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b12.5x16.2x0.8x
Tue, 25 Apr 2023US$137.1bUS$170.1bUS$10.8b13x12.7x0.8x
Thu, 23 Mar 2023US$131.7bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b12.4x12.2x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

12.2x


Total Market Cap: US$131.7bTotal Earnings: US$10.8bTotal Revenue: US$170.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 26.6x202420252026
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 41.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 26.6x.
  • 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 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-2.40%
Materials-3.42%
Packaging-3.27%
Metal and Glass Containers-2.06%
Paper Packaging-3.82%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 33.1x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.1%, 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 9.1% 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
CCK Crown HoldingsUS$105.170.05%
+US$5.6m		16.6%PE16x
JBDI JBDI HoldingsUS$0.712.5%
+US$327.3k		22.9%PS1.7x

Latest News

AVY
US$170.77
Avery Dennison
7D
-3.2%
1Y
-5.0%
AMCR
US$40.57
Amcor
7D
-4.1%
1Y
-17.5%

AMCR: Future Returns Will Hinge On Berry Synergies And Volume Resilience

Analysts have modestly adjusted their price targets on Amcor, with recent changes ranging from a $4 uplift to a $0.60 reduction, as they balance expectations for earnings growth, synergy potential from the Berry Global deal, and some caution around longer term volume trends. Analyst Commentary Recent research paints a mixed picture, with some analysts highlighting upside from the Berry Global acquisition and others flagging execution and volume risks that could influence where the shares trade relative to their price targets.
GPK
US$9.73
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
-9.7%
1Y
-62.8%
CCK
US$105.17
Crown Holdings
7D
0.05%
1Y
16.6%

CCK: Higher Dividend Will Support Stronger Future Shareholder Returns

Analysts have modestly refined their view on Crown Holdings, keeping the fair value estimate steady at about $129.69. They have made small adjustments to inputs such as the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions to better reflect current expectations.
SLGN
US$41.62
Silgan Holdings
7D
-5.8%
1Y
-16.5%

SLGN: Higher Multiple And Dividend Progress Should Support Ongoing Margin Expansion

The analyst price target for Silgan Holdings has been raised from $49.64 to $55.27. Analysts cited updated assumptions on discount rates, revenue growth, margins and future P/E multiples following recent Street research that adjusted price targets across the packaging group.
IP
US$37.25
International Paper
7D
-3.0%
1Y
-27.8%
ATR
US$128.65
AptarGroup
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-13.0%
SW
US$39.75
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-5.6%
1Y
-12.1%

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).
PKG
US$214.50
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
-3.7%
1Y
8.1%

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.
JBDI
US$0.71
JBDI Holdings
7D
2.5%
1Y
22.9%