Financial Performance - Fourth quarter 2024 net income was $221 million, or $2.45 per share, compared to $189.2 million, or $2.10 per share in Q4 2023, representing a 5.5% increase in earnings per share[1]. - Full year 2024 net income was $805.1 million, compared to $765.2 million in 2023, reflecting a 5.0% increase[20]. - Net income for Q4 2024 was $221.1 million, an increase from $189.2 million in Q4 2023, representing a growth of 16.0%[23]. - The diluted EPS for Q4 2024 was $2.45, compared to $2.10 in Q4 2023, representing a 16.7% increase[20]. - Full year 2024 net sales reached $8.4 billion, up from $7.8 billion in 2023, indicating a year-over-year growth of approximately 7.7%[1]. Segment Performance - The Packaging segment's operating income for Q4 2024 was $297.2 million, an increase from $263.8 million in Q4 2023, while the Paper segment's operating income rose to $34.8 million from $28.1 million[6]. - The Paper segment reported an operating income of $34.8 million in Q4 2024, an increase from $28.1 million in Q4 2023, representing a growth of 23.9%[26]. - Packaging segment sales for the full year 2024 were $7,690.9 million, up 7.8% from $7,135.6 million in 2023[16]. - Segment operating income for the Packaging segment in Q4 2024 was $297.2 million, compared to $263.8 million in Q4 2023, marking an increase of 12.5%[26]. - Segment EBITDA for the Packaging segment in Q4 2024 was $424.6 million, up from $383.5 million in Q4 2023, a rise of 10.7%[26]. Operational Metrics - Total corrugated product shipments increased by 9.1% in Q4 2024 compared to the same quarter last year, with shipments per day also reaching record levels[6]. - Containerboard production for Q4 2024 was 1,310,000 tons, with inventory levels increasing by 54,000 tons compared to Q4 2023[6]. - For the three months ended December 31, 2024, total segment sales reached $2,146.1 million, an increase of 10.8% compared to $1,937.9 million in the same period of 2023[16]. Future Outlook - The company expects first quarter 2025 earnings of $2.21 per share, reflecting anticipated seasonal slowdowns and increased costs[7]. - The company plans to continue its market expansion and product conversion strategies, particularly in the linerboard segment[18]. Capital Expenditures and Charges - Capital spending for Q4 2024 was $201.3 million, up from $141.1 million in Q4 2023, indicating a focus on investment in operations[13]. - The company incurred $1.7 million in charges related to facility closures in Q4 2024, compared to $0.9 million in Q4 2023[18]. - The company announced a $9.7 million charge related to the discontinuation of uncoated freesheet paper production at the Jackson mill for the full year 2024[18]. - The total special items for the full year 2024 amounted to $12.4 million, impacting the net income positively by $9.4 million[20]. Profitability Metrics - The company reported a gross profit of $469.7 million in Q4 2024, compared to $410.1 million in Q4 2023, showing a significant improvement in profitability[13]. - EBITDA for Q4 2024 reached $438.2 million, compared to $392.3 million in Q4 2023, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 11.7%[23]. - EBITDA for the Packaging segment for the full year 2024 was $1,597.5 million, an increase of 2.7% from $1,555.7 million in 2023[18]. - EBITDA excluding special items for the full year 2024 was $1,637.1 million, up from $1,603.8 million in 2023, indicating a growth of 2.1%[23]. Interest and Depreciation - Interest expense for the full year 2024 was $41.4 million, down from $53.3 million in 2023, a decrease of 22.5%[23]. - Depreciation, amortization, and depletion for the full year 2024 totaled $525.6 million, compared to $517.7 million in 2023, an increase of 1.5%[23].

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill their growth potential is challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Packaging Corp. (PKG) is currently recommended as a growth stock by the Zacks Growth Style Score system, which evaluates a company's genuine growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - The historical EPS growth rate for Packaging Corp. is 8.4%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 24.6%, significantly surpassing the industry average of 5.2% [5] Group 3: Asset Utilization - Packaging Corp. has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) of 0.93, indicating that the company generates $0.93 in sales for every dollar in assets, which is higher than the industry average of 0.83 [6] Group 4: Sales Growth - The company's sales are expected to grow by 7.6% this year, compared to the industry average of 0.4%, highlighting its strong sales growth potential [7] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Packaging Corp., with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 0.5% over the past month [8] Group 6: Investment Potential - Packaging Corp. holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of B, indicating it is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors [10]

Core Viewpoint - Packaging Corporation (PKG) is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2024 results on January 29, with revenue and earnings estimates indicating growth compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PKG's fourth-quarter revenues is $2.01 billion, reflecting a 3.1% increase from the prior year [2]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is $2.51 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth of 17.8% and has increased by 0.4% over the past 60 days [2][3]. Earnings Surprise History - PKG has a history of beating Zacks Consensus Estimates, with an average surprise of 8.6% over the last four quarters [3]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for PKG, as it has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5]. Segment Performance Insights - The Packaging segment is expected to experience lower prices due to a decrease in benchmark index grades, with a negative price/mix impact of 4.3% anticipated for the quarter [6]. - Despite this, demand in the Packaging segment is projected to remain strong, with a year-over-year volume increase of 13.4% [7]. - The estimated quarterly revenues for the Packaging segment are $1.94 billion, indicating a 9.1% growth from the previous year, with an operating income estimate of $459 million, reflecting a 19.4% increase [8]. Paper Segment Performance - The Paper segment is expected to have flat prices and a volume increase of 3.2% year over year, with a negative pricing/mix impact of 1.9% for the fourth quarter [8]. - The estimated revenues for the Paper segment are $145.7 million, suggesting a 5.7% growth from the prior year, with an operating income estimate of $44 million, indicating a 26.1% rise [9]. Stock Performance - Over the past year, PKG shares have increased by 55%, significantly outperforming the industry average growth of 20.1% [10].

Wall Street analysts forecast that Packaging Corp. (PKG) will report quarterly earnings of $2.51 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 17.8%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $2.13 billion, exhibiting an increase of 9.9% compared to the year-ago quarter.The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone an upward revision of 0.5% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reasses ...

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. What a ...

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Gro ...

Core Viewpoint - Packaging Corp. (PKG) has consistently beaten earnings estimates and is well-positioned for future earnings growth, making it a strong candidate for investors [1]. Earnings Performance - Packaging Corp. has a history of beating earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 5.31% over the last two quarters [2]. - In the last reported quarter, the company achieved earnings of $2.65 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.48 per share by 6.85% [3]. - In the previous quarter, the company reported earnings of $2.20 per share against an expectation of $2.12 per share, resulting in a surprise of 3.77% [3]. Earnings Estimates and Predictions - There has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Packaging Corp., with a positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) indicating a strong likelihood of an earnings beat [4]. - Stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better have a nearly 70% chance of producing a positive surprise [5]. - Packaging Corp. currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.96%, suggesting increased analyst optimism regarding its near-term earnings potential [7]. Upcoming Earnings Report - The next earnings report for Packaging Corp. is expected to be released on January 28, 2025 [7].

The Industrial Products group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Packaging Corp. (PKG) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Packaging Corp. is one of 213 companies in the Industrial Products group. The Industrial Products group currently sits at #11 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zack ...

Core Viewpoint - Packaging Corp. (PKG) is experiencing significant selling pressure, but indicators suggest a potential trend reversal due to oversold conditions and positive earnings revisions from analysts [1][3][4]. Group 1: Technical Indicators - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for PKG is at 24.33, indicating that the stock is in oversold territory, typically suggesting a potential price reversal when below 30 [1][2]. - The stock has declined by 7.3% over the past four weeks, positioning it for a possible trend reversal [3]. Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - There is a strong consensus among Wall Street analysts that PKG will report better earnings than previously predicted, leading to an increase in the consensus EPS estimate by 0% over the last 30 days [3][4]. - PKG holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, indicating strong potential for price appreciation [4].

Packaging Corp. (PKG) has been beaten down lately with too much selling pressure. While the stock has lost 6.1% over the past four weeks, there is light at the end of the tunnel as it is now in oversold territory and Wall Street analysts expect the company to report better earnings than they predicted earlier.Guide to Identifying Oversold StocksWe use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum oscillator tha ...