Greif (NYSE:GEF) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Key Points

• Greif reported quarterly EPS of $1.10, missing the analysts' consensus of $1.13 by $0.03, and the stock traded down to $66.27 on above‑average volume.
• The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.56 ($2.24 annualized) for a 3.4% yield, but the dividend payout ratio is high at 82.96%.
• Analysts' consensus is a "Reduce" rating with an average price target of $73.75, with recent analyst moves including Wells Fargo cutting its target to $70 and Truist raising theirs to $79.

Greif (NYSE:GEF - Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Tuesday. The industrial products company reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.03), Zacks reports. Greif had a return on equity of 8.46% and a net margin of 7.52%.

Greif Price Performance

NYSE:GEF traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $66.27. 333,798 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 222,117. Greif has a 52 week low of $51.40 and a 52 week high of $77.14. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $68.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $67.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a market cap of $3.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.55, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.92.

Greif Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 16th were paid a dividend of $0.56 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 16th. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Greif's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.96%.

Insider Transactions at Greif

In other news, SVP Gaylord Benner sold 2,800 shares of Greif stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.58, for a total transaction of $211,624.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 7,163 shares in the company, valued at approximately $541,379.54. This trade represents a 28.10% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Matthew B. Leahy sold 1,300 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.82, for a total value of $95,966.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 2,739 shares of the company's stock, valued at $202,192.98. The trade was a 32.19% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 22,252 shares of company stock worth $1,971,735 and have sold 54,211 shares worth $3,948,606. 7.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Greif

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Simplex Trading LLC raised its stake in shares of Greif by 399.5% during the fourth quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $125,000 after acquiring an additional 1,482 shares during the last quarter. Man Group plc purchased a new position in Greif during the 4th quarter valued at about $201,000. Odyssean LLC purchased a new position in Greif during the 4th quarter valued at about $209,000. Mariner LLC bought a new position in Greif during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System purchased a new stake in Greif in the 4th quarter worth approximately $221,000. Institutional investors own 45.74% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on GEF shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Greif from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 20th. Robert W. Baird set a $75.00 target price on Greif in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Greif from $71.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Greif from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $73.75.

Greif Company Profile

Greif, Inc is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, with a history dating back to its founding in 1877. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company has evolved from a regional barrel and drum manufacturer into a diversified packaging provider serving a wide range of end markets. Greif's longstanding heritage in container solutions has positioned it as a trusted partner for customers seeking reliable, high-quality packaging options.

The company's core business revolves around the design, manufacture and sale of industrial packaging products, including steel, plastic and fiber drums; intermediate bulk containers (IBCs); safety closures; rigid, flexible and reconditioned packaging; containerboard and protective packaging.

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