The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of a ...

This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. While packaging industry layoff announcements in January largely came from manufacturers specializing in plastics, those that handle other materials were not exempt. International Paper, for instance, disclosed during an earnings call that it anticipates closing at least seven facilities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and cutting at least 700 employees ...

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Core Insights - Sealed Air Corporation celebrates National Bubble Wrap® Appreciation Day, highlighting its legacy of innovation in protective packaging [1][4] - The company is launching a limited, fan-focused Big Game "Pop Pack" activation to engage customers and celebrate the brand [7] Company History and Innovation - The BUBBLE WRAP® brand was invented in 1957 by Alfred W. Fielding and Marc Chavannes, initially intended as a textured wall covering, but found its true purpose in protective packaging, leading to the establishment of Sealed Air Corporation in 1960 [3] - Sealed Air has evolved from a single product to a comprehensive protective packaging portfolio, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for end-to-end protection solutions [3] Employee and Customer Engagement - The company acknowledges the contributions of over 16,000 employees who are essential to its manufacturing excellence and customer service [5] - Sealed Air expresses gratitude to its customers and partners for their trust in the company's expertise [5] Cultural Impact - The BUBBLE WRAP® brand is recognized not only for its protective qualities but also for its cultural significance, providing moments of creativity and stress relief [6] Product Features and Market Position - The barrier-bubble technology of BUBBLE WRAP® is designed to retain air longer than non-barrier alternatives, ensuring consistent cushioning during shipping [9] - Sealed Air's portfolio includes 90% recycled content BUBBLE WRAP® packaging, alongside innovations in fiber-based cushioning and void-fill systems [9] - The company's solutions are engineered to enhance operational efficiency, benefiting a range of businesses from global e-commerce to local shops [9] Financial Overview - In 2024, Sealed Air generated $5.4 billion in sales and employs approximately 16,400 people across 117 countries [10]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for the private equity (PE) industry, highlighting a resurgence in deal activity and a strong market environment, suggesting a favorable investment rating for the sector in 2025 [8][9]. Core Insights - The private equity sector experienced a significant rebound in 2025, with total deal activity surpassing 9,000 transactions and an aggregate value of approximately $1.2 trillion, marking only the second time in history that deal value exceeded $1 trillion [8][34]. - The second half of 2025 saw a strong recovery in deal flow, compensating for a slowdown in Q2 due to market volatility, with 4,560 deals valued at $632.2 billion [35]. - The report emphasizes the importance of mega-sized transactions, with 150 megadeals totaling $567.8 billion, surpassing previous years and indicating a strong appetite for large-scale investments [9][34]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The PE industry rebounded strongly in 2025, achieving a total deal value of $1,155.5 billion, with a year-over-year growth of 36.3% [7]. - Exit activity also saw significant growth, with exit values reaching $728.1 billion, a 90.1% increase from the previous year [7]. Deals - The total number of PE deals in 2025 was 9,019, with a deal count increase of 5.9% year-over-year [7]. - Buyout/LBO transactions accounted for $616.6 billion, reflecting a 57.4% increase compared to 2024 [7]. Fundraising - Fundraising in 2025 was noted as the weakest since 2020, with significant declines in both fund count and capital raised, despite increasing exit activity [12]. - The dry powder in the PE market reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion, indicating potential for future deal-making [12]. Performance - The report highlights a bifurcation in the market, with large, high-conviction investments performing well, while lower and middle market activities remained muted [72]. - The healthcare sector saw a notable increase in deal value, driven by a few mega-transactions, with a 43.4% rise in total PE-backed healthcare deal value [72]. Valuations - Median global M&A EV/EBITDA multiples reached 10x, recovering from previous lows and indicating a strong valuation environment for PE deals [81]. - PE buyout valuations showed a mixed trend, with EBITDA multiples adjusting down slightly to 12.3x, while revenue multiples increased significantly to 2.5x [82].

Group 1 - Sealed Air Corporation will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results on March 2, 2026, before U.S. markets open [1] - The financial results will be accessible on Sealed Air's investor homepage [1] - Due to the pending acquisition by CD&R, Sealed Air will not hold a conference call this quarter or provide guidance for 2026 [1] Group 2 - Sealed Air is a leading global provider of packaging solutions, focusing on sustainable materials, automation, and services [2] - The company generated $5.4 billion in sales in 2024 and employs approximately 16,400 people across 117 countries/territories [2] - Sealed Air's product offerings include well-known brands such as CRYOVAC, LIQUIBOX, SEALED AIR, AUTOBAG, and BUBBLE WRAP [2]

Core Insights - Sealed Air Corporation celebrates the 85th anniversary of its CRYOVAC® brand food packaging, highlighting its legacy of innovation and customer trust [1][4] - The CRYOVAC® brand has been a pioneer in food packaging technologies since its trademark was filed in 1941, revolutionizing meat packaging and enhancing the availability of fresh proteins [2][6] - The brand's current offerings include a variety of packaging solutions and advanced equipment, emphasizing its commitment to quality and service [3][6] Company Overview - Sealed Air Corporation is a leading global provider of packaging solutions, integrating sustainable materials, automation, and services to preserve food and protect goods [8] - In 2024, the company generated $5.4 billion in sales and employs approximately 16,400 people across 117 countries [8] - The company’s recognized brands include CRYOVAC, LIQUIBOX, SEALED AIR, AUTOBAG, and BUBBLE WRAP, serving diverse markets such as food, medical, and e-commerce [8] Milestones and Future Directions - The CRYOVAC® brand has a history of collaboration with customers, focusing on building lasting relationships and driving innovation in food packaging [4][7] - The 85th anniversary celebrations will commence at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia, from January 27-29, 2026 [4]

Group 1 - Seeing Machines has established a dedicated Future Mobility Group to support the increasing demand from the autonomous driving sector and to advance new commercial opportunities as automated vehicle programs scale globally [1][3] - The transition of autonomous vehicle programs from large-scale development to commercial deployment necessitates production-ready, human-centered safety systems capable of scaling with global operations [2][3] - The Future Mobility Group will focus on supporting autonomous vehicle programs across development, deployment, and commercial scale, embedding next-generation driver and occupant monitoring system technology into autonomy products and services [3][4] Group 2 - The CEO of Seeing Machines emphasized that Future Mobility is about building transport systems that understand people as well as the road, highlighting the importance of interior sensing for safer automation and greater trust between humans and machines [4] - Seeing Machines is the first in its category to establish a dedicated team for the full lifecycle of autonomous vehicle programs, leveraging the success of its Guardian Back-up Driver Monitoring System [4] - The company aims to align its technology and commercial activities with existing and new customers to support the deployment of fully autonomous robotaxi services, logistics and delivery fleets, and tele-operated vehicle platforms at scale [4] Group 3 - Seeing Machines, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Australia, is a leader in vision-based monitoring technology that enhances transport safety through AI algorithms and embedded processing [5] - The company's technology portfolio includes driver monitoring systems that measure where a driver is looking and classify their cognitive state to assess accident risk [5] - Seeing Machines operates globally with offices in Australia, the USA, Europe, and Asia, providing technology solutions to industry leaders across various market verticals [5]

Upgrades - Bradesco BBI upgraded Volaris (VLRS) to Outperform from Neutral with a price target of $12 [2] - Loop Capital upgraded Ollie's Bargain Outlet (OLLI) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $135, increased from $130, citing underestimated comp potential in fiscal 2026 [2] - Raymond James upgraded Cummins (CMI) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $585, noting a change in sentiment for the second half of 2026 despite a cautious near-term outlook [3] Downgrades - Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded Heritage Commerce (HTBK) to Neutral from Buy with a fair value estimate of $14 following an acquisition agreement with CVB Financial (CVBF) [4] - William Blair downgraded Clearwater Analytics (CWAN) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target after a take-private deal at $24.55 per share [5] - Raymond James double downgraded Sealed Air (SEE) to Market Perform from Strong Buy without a price target, indicating reduced odds for a topping bid after the conclusion of the "go-shop" period [6] - Citi downgraded Amicus (FOLD) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $14.50, down from $17, after BioMarin announced an acquisition for $4.8 billion or $14.50 per share [6] Initiations - Wells Fargo initiated coverage of Arcellx (ACLX) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $100, viewing its anti-cel as a future pillar in multiple myeloma treatment [7] - Jefferies initiated coverage of BlackSky (BKSY) with a Buy rating and a price target of $23, projecting sales to double to $211 million by 2028 [7] - BTIG initiated coverage of Invivyd (IVVD) with a Buy rating and a price target of $10, highlighting its effective antibody production [7] - Jefferies initiated coverage of Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD) with a Buy rating and a price target of $9, noting a transformation towards oncology and neuro pipeline [7] - Seaport Research initiated coverage of MasterCraft Boat (MCFT) with a Neutral rating and no price target, expressing caution due to competitive pressures in the marine industry [7]

Core Insights - Sealed Air Corporation (SEE) has entered a "no-shop" period after its 30-day "go-shop" period expired without any competing offers, preventing negotiations with other potential buyers [1][8] - The acquisition deal with CD&R is expected to be completed by mid-2026, pending closing conditions [2] - The acquisition will enhance Sealed Air's Food and Protective businesses while maintaining a customer-first approach [3] Deal Details - The definitive agreement for the acquisition was signed in mid-November, with an enterprise value of $10.3 billion, offering Sealed Air shareholders $42.15 in cash per share, which represents a 41% premium based on the price as of August 14, 2025, and a 24% premium over the company's 90-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) [4][5] - The deal will provide immediate payouts to shareholders at a substantial premium and allow the company to focus on its long-term strategy, with headquarters remaining in Charlotte, NC, and the company going private and delisting from the New York Stock Exchange [5] Stock Performance - Over the past year, Sealed Air's shares have increased by 23.4%, contrasting with a 26.2% decline in the industry [6]