What is Zacks Research's Estimate for PKG FY2026 Earnings?

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate for Packaging Corporation of America to $10.44, up from $10.42 and broadly in line with the $10.45 consensus forecast. It also projects FY2027 and FY2028 EPS of $12.51 and $14.66, respectively.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with PKG holding a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $271.86. Recent target changes included JPMorgan’s increase to $320 and Truist’s increase to $280.
• PKG reported quarterly EPS of $2.35, exceeding estimates by $0.04, while revenue rose 14.7% year over year to $2.49 billion. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50, equivalent to a 2.6% annualized yield.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2026 earnings estimates for Packaging Corporation of America in a research note issued on Tuesday, October 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $10.44 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $10.42. The consensus estimate for Packaging Corporation of America's current full-year earnings is $10.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Packaging Corporation of America's Q4 2026 earnings at $2.78 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.89 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.37 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.26 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $12.51 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $3.25 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $3.75 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $4.06 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $14.66 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $312.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $280.00 to $260.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 11th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Packaging Corporation of America from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $292.00 to $289.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $271.86.

Packaging Corporation of America Trading Up 1.7%

Shares of PKG opened at $231.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.08, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.75. Packaging Corporation of America has a twelve month low of $191.50 and a twelve month high of $259.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $239.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $229.41.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.04. Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 7.25% and a return on equity of 18.94%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.48 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.910-2.910 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of PKG. Greenleaf Trust boosted its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,705 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $645,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC raised its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 28.4% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 276 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. CX Institutional raised its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 8.2% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 816 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $195,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC raised its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 3.1% in the third quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 2,110 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $484,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, Rehmann Capital Advisory Group lifted its stake in Packaging Corporation of America by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 1,539 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $318,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.78% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Packaging Corporation of America news, President Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 7,063 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $254.00, for a total transaction of $1,794,002.00. Following the transaction, the president directly owned 202,891 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $51,534,314. The trade was a 3.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald R. Shirley sold 12,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.71, for a total transaction of $3,008,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 19,110 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,791,068.10. This trade represents a 38.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 40,391 shares of company stock valued at $10,196,101 in the last ninety days. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Packaging Corporation of America Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. Packaging Corporation of America's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 77.92%.

Trending Headlines about Packaging Corporation of America

Here are the key news stories impacting Packaging Corporation of America this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Truist raised its price target to $280 from $270 and maintained a Buy rating, implying substantial upside from the referenced price. The target increase suggests improved confidence in PKG’s earnings outlook and box-profit potential. Truist Securities Adjusts Packaging of America Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research made a series of small upward revisions to EPS forecasts. Estimates increased for Q4 2026 to $2.78 from $2.76, fiscal 2026 to $10.44 from $10.42, fiscal 2027 to $12.51 from $12.46, and fiscal 2028 to $14.66 from $14.60. Quarterly estimates for Q1 2027, Q3 2027, Q4 2027, and Q1–Q3 2028 were also raised by $0.01–$0.02 per share. These revisions indicate slightly stronger expected profitability over the next several years.
• Neutral Sentiment: PKG is expected to report earnings on Wednesday. The upcoming results could provide a near-term catalyst, particularly through management’s guidance on packaging demand, pricing, costs, and margins. Packaging Corporation of America Projected to Release Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: At roughly 30 times earnings, PKG trades at a premium valuation, making the stock more dependent on continued earnings growth and a favorable earnings outlook. Can Better Box Profits Justify Its Premium?

About Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America NYSE: PKG is a manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. The company produces linerboard, corrugating medium and finished corrugated containers used to package and transport consumer, industrial, food and agricultural products.

PCA also manufactures specialty packaging products, including retail displays, protective packaging and custom-designed corrugated solutions. Through its Paper segment, the company produces and sells uncoated freesheet paper and related specialty papers for commercial printing, office use, converting and other applications.

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