Packaging Corporation of America (PKG)
NYSEMaterialsPackaging & ContainersSnapshot 2026-11-05
$248.80-4.00%
Close 2026-11-05 · 1-day change
NYSEMaterialsPackaging & ContainersSnapshot 2026-11-05
QuarterlyIQ Insights · PKG
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within materials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-05.
The screen ranks PKG against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Materials names rated neutral grew net income 46% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=2600).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 75% of the last 8 guided quarters · 2.0% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Gr…
Stated in 4 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Greif mills.” “The acquired Greif business contributed to earnings, driven by strong volumes at the corrugated plants and improved operational performance at the mills, with production consistently exceeding capabilities at the time of the acquisition.” Revenue was $2.602 billion in 2026-Q3.
“Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Gr…”
“The acquired Greif business contributed to earnings, driven by strong volumes at the corrugated plants and improved operational performance at the mills, with production consistently exceeding capabi…”
“We currently expect to incur costs related to the Wallula mill restructuring, acquisition and integration related costs for our acquisition of the Greif containerboard business and charges related to…”
“We will continue to manage and invest in these facilities to achieve operating performance in line with the legacy PCA system.”
Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “We executed very well across all aspects of our operations, resulting in very strong earnings performance for the quarter despite continued cost headwinds from freig…
Stated in 5 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “We executed very well across all aspects of our operations, resulting in very strong earnings performance for the quarter despite continued cost headwinds from freight, recycled fiber and chemicals and some weakness in agricultural end markets in our corrugated business.” “We continued to successfully manage costs across all of our operations, executing our capital projects and efficiency initiatives, which have helped offset inflation.”” Operating income was $385.300 million in 2026-Q3.
We managed to build sufficient inventory to put us in position to efficiently supply our corrugated operations in the fourth quarter and help us continue to mitigate escalating freight costs.
Stated in 4 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “We managed to build sufficient inventory to put us in position to efficiently supply our corrugated operations in the fourth quarter and help us continue to mitigate escalating freight costs.” “We continued to operate our mill system at full capacity and reduced export sales by approximately 30,000 tons from first quarter levels to support our corrugated products demand.” Revenue was $2.602 billion in 2026-Q3.
Considering these items, we expect fourth quarter earnings of $2.81 per share, excluding special items.”
Stated in 5 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Considering these items, we expect fourth quarter earnings of $2.81 per share, excluding special items.”” “Considering these items, we expect third quarter earnings of $ 2.91 per share, excluding special items.”” Diluted EPS was $2.93 in 2026-Q3.
“Considering these items, we expect fourth quarter earnings of $2.81 per share, excluding special items.””
Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Gr…
Stated in 4 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Greif mills.” “On the whole, we had a very strong year with growth in our earnings excluding special items and operating cash flows, driven by the tremendous efforts of our employees and the benefits of our capital investments across our business and we are well positioned for continued profitable growth.”” Operating cash flow was $329.300 million in 2026-Q1.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.78x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Materials names rated robust grew net income 56% of the time over the next year (vs 48% for the rest of the cohort, n=1429).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market and long-term interest rates.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
12 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Materials names rated stable grew net income 57% of the time over the next year (vs 51% for the rest of the cohort, n=1843).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-05.
“Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “We executed very well across all aspects of our operations, resulting in very strong earnings performance for the quarter despite continued cost headwinds from freig…”
“Our volumes and outstanding operating performance across our businesses helped us mitigate significantly higher freight and recycled fiber costs.””
“On the whole, we had a very strong year with growth in our earnings excluding special items and operating cash flows, driven by the tremendous efforts of our employees and the benefits of our capital…”
“We continued to successfully manage costs across all of our operations, executing our capital projects and efficiency initiatives, which have helped offset inflation.””
“Across the Company, continued emphasis on operational efficiency, cost reduction initiatives, and capital project execution helped minimize the persistent inflation we see throughout most of our cost…”
“We managed to build sufficient inventory to put us in position to efficiently supply our corrugated operations in the fourth quarter and help us continue to mitigate escalating freight costs.”
“We continued to operate our mill system at full capacity and reduced export sales by approximately 30,000 tons from first quarter levels to support our corrugated products demand.”
“With strong demand and second quarter maintenance outages at five of our containerboard mills, we will need to continue to run the mill system at full capacity to support our containerboard needs.”
“We expect to operate our containerboard mills at full capacity but will produce less containerboard than the fourth quarter as we have two fewer operating days in the first quarter, a scheduled maint…”
“Considering these items, we expect third quarter earnings of $ 2.91 per share, excluding special items.””
“We expect flat volume and higher prices in the Paper segment as we continue to operate at full capacity and implement our previously announced paper price increases.”
“Considering these items, we expect first quarter earnings of $2.20 per share.”
“Considering these items, we expect third quarter earnings of $2.80 per share, excluding special items.”
“Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Gr…”
“We expect better operating performance across our containerboard mill system with continued improved capabilities from our Jackson mill and our acquired Greif mills.”
“On the whole, we had a very strong year with growth in our earnings excluding special items and operating cash flows, driven by the tremendous efforts of our employees and the benefits of our capital…”
“We continued to successfully manage costs across all of our operations, executing our capital projects and efficiency initiatives, which have helped offset inflation.””