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

by · The Markets Daily

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG – Free Report) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, October 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the industrial products company will post earnings of $10.44 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast 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.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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 quarterly revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.48 earnings per share. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.910-2.910 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $254.00 to $253.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $312.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Packaging Corporation of America from $246.00 to $245.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $271.86.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America Trading Up 1.7%

NYSE PKG opened at $231.59 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a current ratio of 2.94. The firm has a market cap of $20.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.08, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.75. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $239.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $229.41. Packaging Corporation of America has a one year low of $191.50 and a one year high of $259.98.

Institutional Trading of Packaging Corporation of America

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PKG. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,837,506,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at approximately $748,095,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 25.2% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,323,010 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $492,990,000 after acquiring an additional 467,590 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 20.3% during the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,824,807 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $376,330,000 after acquiring an additional 308,245 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the second quarter worth approximately $379,568,000. 89.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 12,531 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $3,132,750.00. Following the sale, the president directly owned 218,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,687,750. This represents a 5.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald R. Shirley sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.71, for a total transaction of $3,008,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 19,110 shares in the company, valued at $4,791,068.10. The trade was a 38.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 40,391 shares of company stock valued at $10,196,101 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

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

Key Stories Impacting 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?

Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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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