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

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS forecast for Packaging Corporation of America to $10.42, up from $10.40, though it remains slightly below the analyst consensus estimate of $10.49.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with PKG carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $264.14.
• PCA recently beat quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.35 versus the $2.31 consensus, and announced a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share, representing a 2.6% annualized yield.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2026 EPS estimates for Packaging Corporation of America in a research note issued on Thursday, September 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will earn $10.42 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $10.40. The consensus estimate for Packaging Corporation of America's current full-year earnings is $10.49 per share.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $271.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Bank of America lowered their price target 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. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $258.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $246.00 price objective (up from $245.00) on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $269.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Packaging Corporation of America presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $264.14.

Packaging Corporation of America Price Performance

PKG stock opened at $234.72 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 2.94 and a quick ratio of 1.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.78. The business's 50-day moving average is $241.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $227.50. Packaging Corporation of America has a 1 year low of $191.50 and a 1 year high of $259.98.

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

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Packaging Corporation of America's payout ratio is 77.92%.

Insider Transactions at Packaging Corporation of America

In other news, President Thomas Hassfurther sold 7,063 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.00, for a total value of $1,794,002.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Donald Shirley sold 12,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.71, for a total value of $3,008,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 19,110 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 have sold 40,391 shares of company stock worth $10,196,101 in the last quarter. Insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PKG. DV Equities LLC purchased a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 140.0% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 156 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA grew its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 94.1% during the 4th quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA now owns 165 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 40.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 198 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. 89.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Packaging Corporation of America

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America maintained a Buy rating on PKG while lowering its price target from $280 to $260. The revised target still implies approximately 10.8% upside from the referenced $234.72 share price, suggesting the firm sees further appreciation potential. Tickerreport article
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its earnings forecasts across several periods. Estimates increased to $2.76 per share for fourth-quarter 2026, $2.98 for second-quarter 2027, $3.36 for third-quarter 2027, and $3.24 for both fourth-quarter 2027 and first-quarter 2028. Full-year forecasts also rose to $12.46 for 2027 and $14.60 for 2028. Although the increases were small, the revisions indicate slightly improved expectations for PKG’s future profitability.
• Neutral Sentiment: Packaging Corporation of America also presented at the Jefferies Global Industrials Conference. The transcript provides investors with additional management commentary, but no specific new guidance or material business announcement was identified in the available report. Jefferies Global Industrials Conference transcript

Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile

Packaging Corporation of America NYSE: PKG manufactures and sells containerboard and corrugated packaging products. Its offerings include shipping boxes, retail displays, protective packaging and other custom-designed packaging solutions used by businesses in a range of industries.

The company also produces uncoated paper products, including communication papers, office papers and specialty papers. PCA serves customers primarily across the United States and operates a network of paper mills, corrugated products plants, design centers and related facilities.

Packaging Corporation of America was established in 1999 following the acquisition of Tenneco Packaging by an investor group and its subsequent separation from Tenneco Inc Mark W.

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