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Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of Graphic Packaging (GPK - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $24.2 in the previous session. Graphic Packaging has gained 8.3% since the start of the year compared to the 6.6% move for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 4.8% return for the Zacks Containers - Paper and Packaging industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 25, 2022, Graphic Packaging reported EPS of $0.67 versus consensus estimate of $0.59.
For the current fiscal year, Graphic Packaging is expected to post earnings of $2.55 per share on $9.38 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.80 per share on $9.65 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 9.5% and 2.82%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Graphic Packaging may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Graphic Packaging has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 12X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 8.8X versus its peer group's average of 10.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.38. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Graphic Packaging currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Graphic Packaging meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Graphic Packaging shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
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Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Graphic Packaging (GPK - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $24.2 in the previous session. Graphic Packaging has gained 8.3% since the start of the year compared to the 6.6% move for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 4.8% return for the Zacks Containers - Paper and Packaging industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 25, 2022, Graphic Packaging reported EPS of $0.67 versus consensus estimate of $0.59.
For the current fiscal year, Graphic Packaging is expected to post earnings of $2.55 per share on $9.38 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.80 per share on $9.65 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 9.5% and 2.82%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Graphic Packaging may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Graphic Packaging has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 12X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 8.8X versus its peer group's average of 10.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.38. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Graphic Packaging currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Graphic Packaging meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Graphic Packaging shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.