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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 18, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies22
  • 7D7.4%
  • 3M6.1%
  • 1Y-5.3%
  • YTD-0.7%

The Packaging industry has gained 5.1% in the last week and Smurfit Westrock up 6.5%. In the same time, Millennium Group International Holdings was down 9.5%. In contrast, the industry has lost 4.4% in the last 12 months. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 24% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Thu, 18 Jun 2026US$149.6bUS$161.9bUS$3.0b17.9x49.8x0.9x
Sat, 16 May 2026US$140.4bUS$161.9bUS$3.0b17.3x46.7x0.9x
Mon, 13 Apr 2026US$149.5bUS$156.8bUS$3.4b20.1x44.4x1x
Wed, 11 Mar 2026US$159.6bUS$162.6bUS$3.8b19.7x42.5x1x
Fri, 06 Feb 2026US$173.4bUS$162.4bUS$3.3b22.1x52.1x1.1x
Sun, 04 Jan 2026US$156.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.8x27.7x1x
Tue, 02 Dec 2025US$151.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.9x26.7x0.9x
Thu, 30 Oct 2025US$159.3bUS$155.3bUS$5.5b20.4x29x1x
Sat, 27 Sep 2025US$158.5bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.9x31.5x1x
Mon, 25 Aug 2025US$167.7bUS$154.3bUS$5.1b22.5x32.8x1.1x
Wed, 23 Jul 2025US$172.3bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b27.7x28.6x1.2x
Fri, 20 Jun 2025US$162.7bUS$144.4bUS$6.0b25.7x27.1x1.1x
Sun, 18 May 2025US$169.9bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b26.9x28.3x1.2x
Tue, 15 Apr 2025US$156.7bUS$149.9bUS$6.3b22.4x24.9x1x
Thu, 13 Mar 2025US$170.7bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.4x27.6x1.1x
Sat, 08 Feb 2025US$183.7bUS$151.6bUS$6.5b22.1x28.4x1.2x
Mon, 06 Jan 2025US$170.4bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b21.8x28.7x1.1x
Wed, 04 Dec 2024US$187.9bUS$153.3bUS$5.9b24.6x31.6x1.2x
Fri, 01 Nov 2024US$181.0bUS$153.5bUS$6.3b23.9x28.9x1.2x
Sun, 29 Sep 2024US$181.5bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.6x25.9x1.2x
Tue, 27 Aug 2024US$174.6bUS$148.4bUS$7.0b22.2x24.9x1.2x
Thu, 25 Jul 2024US$171.0bUS$149.3bUS$6.6b23x26x1.1x
Sat, 22 Jun 2024US$156.4bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b22.2x25.8x1x
Mon, 20 May 2024US$161.1bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b22.8x26.3x1x
Wed, 17 Apr 2024US$150.4bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18x33.9x0.9x
Fri, 15 Mar 2024US$153.2bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b18.1x34.5x1x
Sun, 11 Feb 2024US$139.6bUS$154.1bUS$4.6b17.2x30.4x0.9x
Tue, 09 Jan 2024US$142.1bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.7x26.3x0.9x
Thu, 07 Dec 2023US$138.3bUS$156.1bUS$5.4b15x25.4x0.9x
Sat, 04 Nov 2023US$130.8bUS$156.0bUS$5.6b15.8x23.5x0.8x
Mon, 02 Oct 2023US$131.2bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13x18.6x0.8x
Wed, 30 Aug 2023US$135.0bUS$159.8bUS$7.1b13.6x19x0.8x
Fri, 28 Jul 2023US$139.5bUS$166.4bUS$7.3b14.1x19x0.8x
Sun, 25 Jun 2023US$129.3bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.2x16.4x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

16.4x


Total Market Cap: US$129.3bTotal Earnings: US$7.9bTotal Revenue: US$168.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 29.2x202420252026
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 49.5x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 29.2x.
  • 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 28% 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 Market1.98%
Materials6.33%
Packaging7.35%
Paper Packaging7.92%
Metal and Glass Containers6.10%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 43.1x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 28.4%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 14.9% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Metal and Glass Containers industry, which is trading below its 3-year average of 22.6x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 28% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 15% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metal and Glass Containers industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 14% 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$43.4211.5%
+US$2.3b		2.4%PE59.9x
IP International PaperUS$36.1613.5%
+US$2.3b		-21.6%PS0.8x
AMCR AmcorUS$40.776.8%
+US$1.2b		-9.9%PE27.8x
PKG Packaging Corporation of AmericaUS$229.265.8%
+US$1.1b		23.1%PE27.6x
BALL BallUS$57.725.5%
+US$798.7m		3.4%PE16.4x

Latest News

IP
US$36.16
International Paper
7D
13.5%
1Y
-21.6%
PKG
US$229.26
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
5.8%
1Y
23.1%
Analysis Article • 4h

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Stock Could Be 2.8% Undervalued Despite Margin Pressure

Recent commentary around Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) has focused on ongoing pressure from weak unit sales, rising costs, and declining operating margins, raising fresh questions about how its current profitability profile lines up with the stock’s valuation. See our latest analysis for Packaging Corporation of America. Despite concerns about shrinking margins and weaker unit sales, Packaging Corporation of America’s share price has climbed, with a 12.17% 3 month share price return...
AMCR
US$40.77
Amcor
7D
6.8%
1Y
-9.9%
BALL
US$57.72
Ball
7D
5.5%
1Y
3.4%
Analysis Article • 18h

Ball (BALL) Stock Could Be 17.9% Undervalued on Its Packaging Margin Story

Ball (BALL) stock has recently attracted attention after posting annual revenue of US$13.67b and net income of US$936m. This has prompted investors to reassess how its aluminum packaging business is currently being valued. See our latest analysis for Ball. At a share price of US$58.19, Ball has recorded a 7.40% 7-day share price return and a 5.42% 30-day share price return. The 1-year total shareholder return of 6.74% and the 5-year total shareholder return, which is down 23.93%, indicate...
ATR
US$119.99
AptarGroup
7D
4.6%
1Y
-19.8%
AVY
US$159.55
Avery Dennison
7D
2.2%
1Y
-8.3%
Narrative Update • Jun 10

AVY: RFID Partnership And Acquisitions Will Drive 2026 Upside Potential

Avery Dennison's consensus analyst price target has shifted slightly, with several firms trimming their targets by amounts ranging from about $1 to $20 as analysts balance optimism around the company's RFID partnership with Walmart and recent acquisitions against ongoing tariff and earnings risk. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Avery Dennison reflects a mix of optimism around growth projects and caution around near term earnings risk.
JBDI
US$0.58
JBDI Holdings
7D
-3.6%
1Y
-45.3%
CCK
US$101.96
Crown Holdings
7D
6.8%
1Y
-0.6%
Narrative Update • Jun 03

CCK: Asia Beverage Can Expansion And Dividend Increases Will Drive Future Returns

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Crown Holdings to $125.00 from about $125.85, reflecting updated assumptions for slightly different revenue growth, profit margin, discount rate, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News JPMorgan upgraded Crown Holdings' stock rating from Neutral to Overweight, citing tighter supply and demand balances in the beverage can industry.
SW
US$43.42
Smurfit Westrock
7D
11.5%
1Y
2.4%
Narrative Update • Jun 02

SW: Single NYSE Listing And Lower P/E Assumptions Will Support Upside

Analysts have adjusted their fair value estimate for Smurfit Westrock to $61.89 from $67.91. This change reflects updated views on the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions.
MGIH
US$1.52
Millennium Group International Holdings
7D
-5.0%
1Y
-5.6%