DELAWARE, Ohio, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today it will permanently close the steel and polymer drum facility in Merced, California as part of its previously announced optimization efforts. The facility is expected to cease operation in September 2025. “Making the decision to close a facility is always difficult” said Greif President and CEO Ole Rosgaard. “I want to express my deep gratitude to our col ...

Core Points - Greif, Inc. has initiated a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España, effective July 1, 2025, following the completion of solar farms in Castilla y León, Spain [1][2] - The 12-year agreement will enable Greif to purchase approximately 100 GWh of renewable energy annually, which is expected to offset around 65% of its Scope 2 emissions in Europe and 3% of its total Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally [2][3] - The VPPA is a key element of Greif's sustainability strategy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing waste across its operations [3] Company Overview - Greif, Inc. is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, producing a variety of packaging solutions including steel, plastic, and fiber drums, as well as containerboard and specialty products [4] - The company operates over 250 facilities in 37 countries, employing more than 14,000 individuals to serve both global and regional customers [4]

Core Insights - In times of market volatility, investors often prefer value investing, seizing opportunities to buy undervalued stocks as others sell at lower prices [1][2] Value Investment Strategy - Value investing can lead to "value traps" where stocks underperform due to persistent issues rather than temporary problems [3] - Key metrics for identifying value stocks include dividend yield, P/E ratio, and P/B ratio [3] Importance of PEG Ratio - The PEG ratio, defined as (Price/Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate, is a crucial metric for assessing a stock's intrinsic value [4][5] - A low PEG ratio is favorable for value investors, but it has limitations, such as not accounting for changing growth rates [5] Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Effective screening criteria for value stocks include a PEG ratio less than the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, Zacks Rank 1 or 2, market capitalization over $1 billion, average 20-day volume greater than 50,000, and upward earnings estimate revisions greater than 5% [6] Selected Stocks - Carnival Corporation (CCL) has a five-year growth rate of 28.5% and a Zacks Rank 2 with a Value Score of A [7][9] - Harmony Gold Mining (HMY) shows a long-term historical growth rate of 73.4%, a Zacks Rank 1, and a Value Score of B [7][10][11] - Dollar Tree (DLTR) has a five-year expected growth rate of 6.7% and a Zacks Rank 2 with a Value Score of B [7][12][13] - Greif, Inc. (GEF) has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 9.9%, a Value Score of A, and a Zacks Rank of 1 [7][14]

Core Viewpoint - Greif, Inc. has announced the divestiture of its Containerboard business for $1.8 billion to Packaging Corporation of America, which aligns with its strategy to enhance capital efficiency and focus on growth priorities [2][4]. Financial Impact - The cash proceeds from the divestiture will be allocated to debt repayment, resulting in a pro-forma leverage ratio below 2.0x after closing, with further reductions expected from the planned divestiture of Greif's timberland business [3]. - This transaction is expected to unlock value-creation opportunities and enhance capital utilization, reducing recurring capital needs [8]. Strategic Rationale - The sale is part of Greif's "Build to Last" strategy, aimed at sharpening the company's portfolio and advancing growth priorities [4]. - The remaining material solutions will maintain leadership positions to drive margin expansion and cash flow generation [4]. Conference Call - Greif will host an investor call on July 1, 2025, to discuss the rationale for the divestment and its impact on proforma business operations [5].

Group 1 - Shore Bancshares, Inc. (SHBI) has a Zacks Rank 1 and its current year earnings estimate increased by 7.1% over the last 60 days [1] - Shore's shares gained 15.1% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 10% advance [1] - Worthington Enterprises, Inc. (WOR) has a Zacks Rank 1 with a current year earnings estimate increase of 16.2% over the last 60 days [2] - Worthington's shares gained 27.4% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 10% advance [2] - Greif, Inc. (GEF) holds a Zacks Rank 1 and its current year earnings estimate increased by 6.9% over the last 60 days [3] - Greif's shares gained 18% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's 10% advance [3] - All three companies possess strong momentum characteristics, with Shore and Worthington having Momentum Scores of A, while Greif has a Momentum Score of B [1][2][3]

Group 1 - Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM) has seen a 30.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Shore Bancshares, Inc. (SHBI) has experienced a 7.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - National Grid plc (NGG) has recorded a 5.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (EBMT) has seen an increase of nearly 9% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Greif, Inc. (GEF) has experienced a 6.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Core Insights - Greif's international operations are crucial for assessing its financial resilience and growth prospects, given the interconnected nature of the global economy [2][3] Revenue Performance - The total revenue for Greif in the quarter ended April 2025 was $1.39 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.1% [4] - Revenue from Asia Pacific and Other Americas was $153.8 million, accounting for 11.10% of total revenue, which was a decline of 10.23% compared to the expected $171.32 million [5] - Revenue from Europe, Middle East, and Africa reached $370.1 million, representing 26.71% of total revenue, exceeding expectations by 1.42% [6] Future Projections - Analysts project Greif's total revenue for the current fiscal quarter to be $1.5 billion, indicating a 3.4% increase from the same quarter last year, with expected contributions of 12.3% from Asia Pacific and Other Americas and 26.2% from Europe, Middle East, and Africa [7] - For the full year, total revenue is anticipated to be $5.22 billion, a decline of 4.2% from the previous year, with revenue contributions expected to be 12.2% from Asia Pacific and Other Americas and 25.8% from Europe, Middle East, and Africa [8] Market Context - The reliance on global markets presents both opportunities and challenges for Greif, making the analysis of international revenue trends essential for forecasting future performance [9][10] - Greif's stock has increased by 21.2% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500's increase of 7.2% during the same period [13]

Core Insights - Greif, Inc. reported strong fiscal second quarter 2025 results, demonstrating resilience and strategic progress under its "Build to Last" strategy, with a focus on cost reductions and operational discipline [4][5][23]. Financial Highlights - Net income increased by 6.5% to $47.3 million, or $0.82 per diluted Class A share, compared to $44.4 million, or $0.77 per diluted Class A share in the prior year [5]. - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 26.0% to $213.9 million from $169.7 million [5]. - Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $48.9 million to $136.4 million [5]. - Total debt decreased by $140.9 million to $2,775.2 million, with net debt down by $197.6 million to $2,522.5 million [5]. Segment Performance - Customized Polymer Solutions saw net sales increase by $43.7 million to $329.3 million, primarily due to contributions from recent acquisitions [11]. - Durable Metal Solutions experienced a net sales decrease of $34.8 million to $378.9 million, attributed to lower volumes and selling prices [13]. - Sustainable Fiber Solutions reported a net sales increase of $19.0 million to $599.1 million, driven by higher containerboard and boxboard prices [16]. - Integrated Solutions faced a net sales decline of $13.2 million to $78.4 million, mainly due to the divestiture of Delta Petroleum Company [19]. Cost Optimization and Strategic Actions - The company achieved $10.0 million in run-rate savings from its cost optimization program and expects to reach $15.0 million to $25.0 million by the end of fiscal year 2025 [5]. - Greif is progressing on the sale of its timberland business, anticipating using the proceeds for further debt reduction [5]. Tax and Dividend Information - The income tax rate for the quarter was 35.5%, with an expected range of 27.0% to 32.0% for fiscal 2025 [21]. - The Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.54 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.81 per share of Class B Common Stock, payable on July 1, 2025 [22]. Company Outlook - The company acknowledges a multi-year period of industrial contraction with no compelling demand inflection identified, but remains positioned for a potential recovery in the industrial economy [23]. - Fiscal 2025 low-end guidance for Adjusted EBITDA is raised to $725 million and for adjusted free cash flow to $280 million [24].

Greif Named Among 100 Global Companies Recognized for Colleague Sentiment and SatisfactionDELAWARE, Ohio, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today the company has been certified as a Most Loved Workplace® backed by the research and analysis of Best Practice Institute (BPI). The Most Loved Workplace® certification is based on extensive research and analysis by BPI, evaluating factors such as employee satisf ...

The market expects Greif (GEF) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended April 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on June ...