
Jefferies Downgrades Graphic Packaging Holding to ‘Hold’
By Gabriel KaneJan. 24 2017, Updated 9:08 a.m. ET
Price movement
Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK) has a market cap of $3.9 billion. It fell 2.3% to close at $12.26 per share on January 20, 2017. The stock’s weekly, monthly, and year-to-date (or YTD) price movements were -5.3%, -3.4%, and -1.8%, respectively, on the same day.
GPK is trading 3.6% below its 20-day moving average, 3.7% below its 50-day moving average, and 6.6% below its 200-day moving average.
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GPK’s rating
On January 20, 2017, Jeffries downgraded Graphic Packaging Holding Company’s rating to “hold” from “buy.” It also reduced the stock’s price target to $14.00 from $15.00 per share.
According to analyst Philip Ng, “With demand remaining weak and rising input costs, we are cutting our 2017 estimates (4% below consensus) and expect muted EPS growth and anticipate pushback on the CRB price increase.”
Performance of Graphic Packaging in 3Q16
Graphic Packaging Holding (GPK) reported 3Q16 net sales of $1.1 billion, a rise of 3.1% compared to $1.2 billion in 3Q15. The company’s income from operations as a percentage of net sales narrowed 80 basis points in 3Q16 compared to 3Q15.
Its net income fell to $57.8 million in 3Q16 compared to $60.2 million in 3Q15. It reported EPS (earnings per share) of $0.18 for 3Q16 and 3Q15. It reported adjusted EBITDA[1. earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization] of $200.1 million in 3Q16, a rise of 1.5% compared to 3Q15.
GPK’s cash and cash equivalents fell 16.8%, and its inventories rose 6.2% between 3Q16 and 4Q15.
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