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U.S. Packaging Industry Analysis

UpdatedMay 28, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies25
  • 7D3.1%
  • 3M-15.5%
  • 1Y-10.6%
  • YTD-5.5%

In the last week, the Packaging industry is up 6.1%, with Smurfit Westrock up 7.4%. In the past year, the industry is down 13%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 23% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Thu, 28 May 2026US$140.1bUS$161.9bUS$3.0b17.8x46.6x0.9x
Sat, 25 Apr 2026US$145.2bUS$157.0bUS$3.1b19.2x46.5x0.9x
Mon, 23 Mar 2026US$144.0bUS$162.6bUS$3.8b17.9x38.4x0.9x
Wed, 18 Feb 2026US$182.0bUS$162.9bUS$3.7b22.5x49.5x1.1x
Fri, 16 Jan 2026US$164.0bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b21.7x29x1x
Sun, 14 Dec 2025US$152.1bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b20.5x26.9x1x
Tue, 11 Nov 2025US$147.6bUS$159.8bUS$5.7b19.7x26x0.9x
Thu, 09 Oct 2025US$157.9bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b21.7x31.4x1x
Sat, 06 Sep 2025US$162.6bUS$154.2bUS$5.0b22.6x32.3x1.1x
Mon, 04 Aug 2025US$162.8bUS$152.3bUS$5.4b22.1x30.2x1.1x
Wed, 02 Jul 2025US$165.7bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b26.1x27.6x1.1x
Fri, 30 May 2025US$164.5bUS$144.3bUS$6.0b25.8x27.4x1.1x
Sun, 27 Apr 2025US$161.0bUS$150.1bUS$6.4b19.9x25.3x1.1x
Tue, 25 Mar 2025US$168.4bUS$155.1bUS$6.2b22.4x27.3x1.1x
Thu, 20 Feb 2025US$181.9bUS$156.3bUS$6.6b22.2x27.7x1.2x
Sat, 18 Jan 2025US$174.9bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b22.2x29.5x1.1x
Mon, 16 Dec 2024US$180.8bUS$153.4bUS$5.9b23.2x30.5x1.2x
Wed, 13 Nov 2024US$183.5bUS$153.3bUS$6.2b24.1x29.5x1.2x
Fri, 11 Oct 2024US$175.8bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b26.3x25.1x1.2x
Sun, 08 Sep 2024US$173.2bUS$148.6bUS$7.0b25.2x24.7x1.2x
Tue, 06 Aug 2024US$168.1bUS$148.6bUS$6.9b22.9x24.2x1.1x
Thu, 04 Jul 2024US$149.8bUS$156.8bUS$6.1b20.2x24.7x1x
Sat, 01 Jun 2024US$160.0bUS$156.7bUS$6.1b23.5x26.1x1x
Mon, 29 Apr 2024US$152.0bUS$158.7bUS$4.3b18.4x35.3x1x
Wed, 27 Mar 2024US$156.0bUS$159.1bUS$4.4b19x35.2x1x
Fri, 23 Feb 2024US$142.3bUS$153.9bUS$4.1b20.3x34.4x0.9x
Sun, 21 Jan 2024US$139.9bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.1x25.9x0.9x
Tue, 19 Dec 2023US$141.4bUS$155.9bUS$5.4b15.6x26.2x0.9x
Thu, 16 Nov 2023US$131.8bUS$156.5bUS$5.4b14.8x24.5x0.8x
Sat, 14 Oct 2023US$125.5bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.4x17.8x0.8x
Mon, 11 Sep 2023US$131.2bUS$159.5bUS$7.0b12.9x18.6x0.8x
Wed, 09 Aug 2023US$135.4bUS$160.5bUS$7.1b14.3x19.1x0.8x
Fri, 07 Jul 2023US$130.6bUS$168.2bUS$7.9b12.4x16.5x0.8x
Sun, 04 Jun 2023US$129.8bUS$168.6bUS$7.9b12.7x16.4x0.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

16.4x


Total Market Cap: US$129.8bTotal Earnings: US$7.9bTotal Revenue: US$168.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaging Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 28.6x202420252026
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 46.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 28.6x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.0x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 0.85x.
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 Market1.27%
Materials3.14%
Packaging3.11%
Paper Packaging4.43%
Metal and Glass Containers0.38%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 40.3x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 27.5%, 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 22.5x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper Packaging industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 27% 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$39.887.4%
+US$1.4b		-8.3%PE55x
IP International PaperUS$32.425.0%
+US$815.5m		-32.1%PS0.7x
AMCR AmcorUS$39.674.1%
+US$730.2m		-12.1%PE27x
PKG Packaging Corporation of AmericaUS$217.992.2%
+US$423.2m		13.4%PE26.2x
GPK Graphic Packaging HoldingUS$10.8210.0%
+US$290.0m		-51.6%PE11.7x

Latest News

AVY
US$160.52
Avery Dennison
7D
1.4%
1Y
-9.7%
GPK
US$10.82
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
10.0%
1Y
-51.6%
AMCR
US$39.67
Amcor
7D
4.1%
1Y
-12.1%
Narrative Update • May 26

AMCR: Future Returns Will Hinge On Synergy Execution And Malaysia Healthcare Expansion

Analysts have trimmed their Amcor price targets, reflecting a shift to a new fair value estimate of about $48 from about $50 as they factor in lower assumed revenue growth, a slightly different discount rate, and reduced future P/E expectations following recent research visits and sector checks. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Amcor shows a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms adjusting price targets and one new bullish initiation.
IP
US$32.42
International Paper
7D
5.0%
1Y
-32.1%
BALL
US$56.51
Ball
7D
-0.5%
1Y
6.9%
JBDI
US$0.50
JBDI Holdings
7D
-14.7%
1Y
-58.0%
SW
US$39.88
Smurfit Westrock
7D
7.4%
1Y
-8.3%
SLGN
US$37.99
Silgan Holdings
7D
-0.3%
1Y
-30.7%
Narrative Update • May 20

SLGN: Dividend Momentum And Mixed Sentiment Will Support Future P E Re Rating

Silgan Holdings' updated analyst price target edges slightly lower to about $53.17 from $53.33, as analysts factor in modest adjustments to the discount rate, revenue growth assumptions, profit margin outlook, and future P/E expectations following a series of recent target changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Silgan Holdings show a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms trimming price targets while one new initiation comes in with a positive stance.
PKG
US$217.99
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
2.2%
1Y
13.4%
Narrative Update • May 19

PKG: 2026 Dividend And Margin Upside Are Expected To Support Rebound

Analysts have raised the Packaging Corporation of America fair value estimate from $226.40 to $234.30, citing a combination of higher expected profit margins, a lower assumed discount rate, and updated P/E assumptions following a series of recent price target moves and an upgrade that noted a potential positive inflection. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Packaging Corporation of America has been active and mixed, with several firms adjusting price targets and one upgrade highlighting what it called a potential positive inflection in the story.
SON
US$49.80
Sonoco Products
7D
3.8%
1Y
8.9%
Analysis Article • May 06

We Think That There Are Issues Underlying Sonoco Products' (NYSE:SON) Earnings

Investors were disappointed with Sonoco Products Company's ( NYSE:SON ) earnings, despite the strong profit numbers. We...
AMBP
US$4.18
Ardagh Metal Packaging
7D
3.2%
1Y
6.6%