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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedJan 19, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies25
  • 7D-0.6%
  • 3M3.2%
  • 1Y-10.4%
  • YTD3.7%

In the last week, the Packaging industry is flat overall, with Amcor standing out by going down 4.9%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 10% in the last year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 19% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 20 Jan 2026US$162.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b21.7x28.8x1x
Thu, 18 Dec 2025US$153.2bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.4x27.1x1x
Sat, 15 Nov 2025US$149.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.5x26.2x0.9x
Mon, 13 Oct 2025US$154.5bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.3x30.7x1x
Wed, 10 Sep 2025US$161.1bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22.2x32x1x
Fri, 08 Aug 2025US$161.5bUS$152.7bUS$5.4b22.2x29.8x1.1x
Sun, 06 Jul 2025US$175.6bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b27.3x29.2x1.2x
Tue, 03 Jun 2025US$165.0bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b25.7x27.5x1.1x
Thu, 01 May 2025US$162.8bUS$150.6bUS$6.4b20x25.4x1.1x
Sat, 29 Mar 2025US$173.4bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b21.2x28.1x1.1x
Mon, 24 Feb 2025US$180.9bUS$155.0bUS$6.3b23.3x28.5x1.2x
Wed, 22 Jan 2025US$175.9bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b22.4x29.6x1.1x
Fri, 20 Dec 2024US$172.6bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b22.1x29.1x1.1x
Sun, 17 Nov 2024US$180.1bUS$153.2bUS$6.0b23.9x30.1x1.2x
Tue, 15 Oct 2024US$177.2bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.7x25.3x1.2x
Thu, 12 Sep 2024US$172.1bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b25.2x24.6x1.2x
Sat, 10 Aug 2024US$164.6bUS$148.5bUS$6.9b23.7x23.7x1.1x
Mon, 08 Jul 2024US$148.7bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b20x24.6x0.9x
Wed, 05 Jun 2024US$162.7bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b23.2x26.6x1x
Fri, 03 May 2024US$152.9bUS$157.1bUS$6.1b21.8x25.3x1x
Sun, 31 Mar 2024US$158.4bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b19.3x35.7x1x
Tue, 27 Feb 2024US$142.7bUS$153.9bUS$4.1b20.2x34.5x0.9x
Thu, 25 Jan 2024US$141.4bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.1x26.2x0.9x
Sat, 23 Dec 2023US$141.9bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.7x26.3x0.9x
Mon, 20 Nov 2023US$132.6bUS$156.1bUS$5.4b14.7x24.4x0.8x
Wed, 18 Oct 2023US$127.8bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.7x18.1x0.8x
Fri, 15 Sep 2023US$131.1bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b13.1x18.6x0.8x
Sun, 13 Aug 2023US$135.9bUS$160.0bUS$7.0b14.2x19.4x0.8x
Tue, 11 Jul 2023US$131.6bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.9x16.6x0.8x
Thu, 08 Jun 2023US$131.3bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b13.3x16.6x0.8x
Sat, 06 May 2023US$134.6bUS$168.6bUS$8.1b13.2x16.5x0.8x
Mon, 03 Apr 2023US$138.8bUS$170.0bUS$10.8b13x12.9x0.8x
Wed, 01 Mar 2023US$140.7bUS$170.3bUS$10.7b14x13.1x0.8x
Fri, 27 Jan 2023US$144.8bUS$170.3bUS$9.9b15x14.6x0.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.6x


Total Market Cap: US$144.8bTotal Earnings: US$9.9bTotal Revenue: US$170.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 25x202420252026
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 28.8x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 25.0x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.99x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Packaging industry have declined 17% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.1% per year.
  • This means overall sales from these companies are declining and profits are subsequently falling as well.

Industry Trends

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

US Market-0.29%
Materials1.85%
Packaging-0.59%
Metal and Glass Containers0.29%
Paper Packaging-0.95%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 28.7x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.1%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 3.3% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Metal and Glass Containers industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average of 22.0x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 22% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings growth rate of 3.3% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metal and Glass Containers industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 12% 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
IP International PaperUS$43.352.3%
+US$522.8m		-23.9%PS0.9x
PKG Packaging Corporation of AmericaUS$221.331.9%
+US$367.3m		-7.0%PE22.3x
BALL BallUS$56.081.1%
+US$163.5m		3.3%PE21.1x
SON Sonoco ProductsUS$48.712.5%
+US$119.3m		2.0%PE26x
AMBP Ardagh Metal PackagingUS$4.372.1%
+US$53.8m		56.1%PS0.5x

Latest News

SLGN
US$42.86
Silgan Holdings
7D
-0.4%
1Y
-18.5%
IP
US$43.35
International Paper
7D
2.3%
1Y
-23.9%
AMBP
US$4.37
Ardagh Metal Packaging
7D
2.1%
1Y
56.1%
AMCR
US$40.94
Amcor
7D
-4.9%
1Y
-15.6%

AMCR: Future Returns Will Be Led By Berry Synergies And Deleveraging

Narrative Update on Amcor The analyst price target for Amcor has been updated to US$54.80, reflecting analysts' focus on potential earnings benefits tied to Berry Global synergies, debt reduction and expectations for packaging demand trends into 2026. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Amcor highlights a mix of optimism around earnings potential and synergy capture, alongside some caution on volume trends and longer term growth assumptions.
OI
US$15.40
O-I Glass
7D
-1.0%
1Y
47.8%
SON
US$48.71
Sonoco Products
7D
2.5%
1Y
2.0%
ATR
US$124.71
AptarGroup
7D
-0.3%
1Y
-20.1%
PACK
US$5.66
Ranpak Holdings
7D
-5.0%
1Y
-11.1%

PACK: Compact Paper Solutions And Stable Assumptions Will Support Balanced Outlook

Analysts have nudged their price target on Ranpak Holdings slightly higher to about $6.00, reflecting small adjustments to inputs such as discount rate, expected revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News Ranpak reported that from July 1, 2025 to October 30, 2025, it repurchased 0 shares for $0m under its existing buyback program, with the total completed repurchase under the program also at 0 shares for $0m (Key Developments).
GEF
US$71.90
Greif
7D
1.5%
1Y
17.0%
AVY
US$188.65
Avery Dennison
7D
0.4%
1Y
-1.4%

AVY: Intelligent Labels And Buybacks Will Support A More Constructive Outlook

Avery Dennison's fair value estimate has been lifted by about $4 to $206.80 as analysts factor in higher Street price targets and an outlook that acknowledges a challenging 2026 volume setup in packaging while also pointing to ongoing strength in beverage cans, disciplined containerboard pricing and improving sentiment around intelligent labels. Analyst Commentary Street research around Avery Dennison centers on how the company can execute through a tougher 2026 volume setup while still justifying higher valuation targets.
GPK
US$15.28
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
-2.4%
1Y
-45.3%
SEE
US$41.76
Sealed Air
7D
0.4%
1Y
21.0%
CCK
US$104.24
Crown Holdings
7D
-1.6%
1Y
21.8%
BALL
US$56.08
Ball
7D
1.1%
1Y
3.3%
SW
US$42.71
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-0.5%
1Y
-19.4%

SW: Fair Value View Will Balance Impairment Risk And Earnings Potential

Analysts have nudged their price target for Smurfit Westrock to €44.50. The update reflects adjusted assumptions around revenue growth at 3.18%, profit margin at 6.18% and a forward P/E of 14.01x, while keeping fair value steady at €44.50.
PKG
US$221.33
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
1.9%
1Y
-7.0%

PKG: Greif Acquisition And Containerboard Pricing Are Expected To Drive Upside

Narrative Update on Packaging Corporation of America Our analyst price target for Packaging Corporation of America moves to $263 from $244 as analysts factor in updated earnings forecasts, a higher discount rate, revised revenue growth and margin assumptions, and a lower future P/E, along with their views on potential effects from the Greif acquisition and containerboard pricing. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts are updating their views on Packaging Corporation of America to reflect revised earnings estimates, ongoing industry pricing actions, and expected contributions from the pending Greif acquisition.