Core Insights - Greif (GEF) reported quarterly earnings of $1.19 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 per share, and showing an increase from $0.82 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of 10.19% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.39 billion for the quarter ended April 2025, which was 2.92% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but an increase from $1.37 billion year-over-year [2] - Greif's shares have declined approximately 8.8% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 1.5% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.36, with expected revenues of $1.5 billion, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $3.77 on revenues of $5.23 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Greif has been unfavorable, leading to a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Containers - Paper and Packaging industry, to which Greif belongs, is currently ranked in the top 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting that companies in the top half of the Zacks-ranked industries tend to outperform those in the bottom half by more than 2 to 1 [8]

Core Insights - Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is benefiting from asset optimization and business improvement initiatives, positioning the company for long-term growth and profitability [1][8] - The company faces challenges from merger-related costs, higher freight and chemical costs, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, which are expected to impact margins [2][14] Company Transformation - Since 2023, Smurfit Westrock has closed underperforming facilities, divested non-core assets, and streamlined operations to enhance efficiency and cost savings [1][7] - The merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock on July 5, 2024, is expected to deliver significant growth potential due to their complementary portfolios and geographic reach across 42 countries [3][4] Operational Developments - In Q1 2025, Smurfit Westrock invested in containerboard, corrugated, and consumer systems, expanding its Bag-in-Box offerings and upgrading mill systems for efficiency and environmental improvements [5][9] - The company has closed 32 packaging facilities and three mills since early 2023, with a capacity reduction of approximately 600,000 tons [7][8] Market Demand - There is a growing demand for sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions, particularly in the beverage, healthcare, retail, and food sectors [9][10] - The rise in e-commerce activities is expected to further support demand for packaging solutions, with global e-commerce revenues projected to reach $4.32 trillion by 2025 [11] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Smurfit Westrock's cost of sales increased by 173.9% year-over-year, with transaction and integration-related costs amounting to $395 million [12][13] - The company's stock has declined by 14.8% over the past six months, compared to an 8% decline in the industry [15]

Core Viewpoint - International Paper Company is set to report its first-quarter 2025 results on April 30, following the acquisition of DS Smith, which is expected to significantly enhance its financial performance compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for International Paper's first-quarter revenues is $6.61 billion, reflecting a 43.1% increase from the same quarter last year [3]. - Earnings estimates have decreased by 16.7% over the past 60 days to 35 cents per share, indicating a 106% year-over-year increase from 17 cents reported in the previous year [3]. - The company has a history of earnings surprises, beating estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 41.5% [5]. Segment Performance Insights - EMEA Packaging volumes are projected to reach 2,452 thousand short tons in Q1 2025, a significant increase from 340 thousand tons in Q1 2024, with revenues expected at $2.44 billion [7]. - North American Packaging Solutions is anticipated to see year-over-year volume increases in various categories, with revenues estimated at $3.79 billion for the quarter [8][9]. - Overall, Industrial Packaging segment volumes are projected at 6,165 thousand short tons, indicating a 54.5% year-over-year rise, with revenues expected to be $6.2 billion, reflecting a 62.9% increase [10]. Operating Profit Projections - The Industrial Packaging segment's operating profit is expected to surge by 73% to $373 million, with North American Packaging Solutions projected at $285 million and EMEA Packaging at $87.7 million [11]. Global Cellulose Fibers Segment - The Global Cellulose Fibers segment is expected to report volumes of 622 thousand metric tons, a 14.7% year-over-year decline, with revenues estimated at $608 million, down 13.6% from the previous year [12]. Stock Performance - International Paper's stock has increased by 39.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry average growth of 23.6% [14].