<p>Packaging Corp of America (NYSE:PKG) is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, 2026-01-27. Here's a brief overview of what investors should keep in mind before the announcement.</p>
<p>Analysts expect Packaging Corp of America to report an <strong>earnings per share</strong> (EPS) of $2.41.</p>
<p>Investors in Packaging Corp of America are eagerly awaiting the company's announcement, hoping for news of surpassing estimates and positive guidance for the next quarter.</p>
<p>It's worth noting for new investors that stock prices can be heavily influenced by future projections rather than just past performance.</p>
<h3>Earnings History Snapshot</h3>
<p>Last quarter the company missed EPS by $0.09, which was followed by a 2.17% increase in the share price the next day.</p>
<p>Here's a look at Packaging Corp of America's past performance and the resulting price change:</p>
<p></p><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Quarter</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Q3 2025</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Q2 2025</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Q1 2025</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Q4 2024</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>EPS Estimate</strong></td>
<td align="right">2.82</td>
<td align="right">2.43</td>
<td align="right">2.21</td>
<td align="right">2.53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>EPS Actual</strong></td>
<td align="right">2.73</td>
<td align="right">2.48</td>
<td align="right">2.31</td>
<td align="right">2.47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Price Change %</strong></td>
<td align="right">2.00</td>
<td align="right">0.00</td>
<td align="right">-1.00</td>
<td align="right">-10.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table><p></p>
<p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2026/1769439693_0.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="eps graph" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2026/1769439693_0.png"/></p>

<h3>Performance of Packaging Corp of America Shares</h3>
<p>Shares of Packaging Corp of America were trading at $225.39 as of January 23. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 5.86%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely upset going into this earnings release. </p>
<h3>Insights Shared by Analysts on Packaging Corp of America</h3>
<p>For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding Packaging Corp of America.</p>
<p>The consensus rating for Packaging Corp of America is Neutral, based on 5 analyst ratings. With an average one-year price target of $242.4, there's a potential 7.55% upside.</p>
<h3>Comparing Ratings with Competitors</h3>
<p>In this comparison, we explore the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Amcor, International Paper and Smurfit WestRock, three prominent industry players, offering insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.</p>
<ul>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for Amcor, with an average 1-year price target of $23.33, suggesting a potential 89.65% downside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for International Paper, with an average 1-year price target of $48.0, suggesting a potential 78.7% downside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for Smurfit WestRock, with an average 1-year price target of $48.88, suggesting a potential 78.31% downside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings: Peer Analysis Summary</h3>
<p>The peer analysis summary presents essential metrics for Amcor, International Paper and Smurfit WestRock, unveiling their respective standings within the industry and providing valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.</p>
<p></p><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Packaging Corp of America</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>6.00%</td>
<td>$504.30M</td>
<td>4.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amcor</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>71.34%</td>
<td>$1.12B</td>
<td>2.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>International Paper</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>56.37%</td>
<td>$1.94B</td>
<td>-6.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Smurfit WestRock</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>4.33%</td>
<td>$1.57B</td>
<td>1.34%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table><p></p>
<p>Key Takeaway:</p>
<p>Packaging Corp of America ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It is in the middle for Gross Profit. The company is at the top for Return on Equity.</p>
<h3>All You Need to Know About Packaging Corp of America</h3>
<p>Packaging Corp. of America is the third-largest containerboard and corrugated packaging manufacturer in the United States. It produces over 5 million tons of containerboard annually. The company's share of the domestic containerboard market is roughly 10%. PCA differentiates itself from larger competitors by focusing on smaller customers and operating with a high degree of flexibility.</p>
<h3>Packaging Corp of America's Financial Performance</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Packaging Corp of America's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of <strong>6.0%</strong>. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Packaging Corp of America's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching <strong>9.74%</strong>. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Packaging Corp of America's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive <strong>4.8%</strong> ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Packaging Corp of America's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of <strong>2.25%</strong>, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Packaging Corp of America's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of <strong>0.92</strong>.</p>
<p>To track all earnings releases for Packaging Corp of America visit their earnings calendar on our site.</p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>

<p>Packaging Corp of America (NYSE:PKG) is set to announce its quarterly earnings on January 27, 2026, with analysts predicting an EPS of $2.41. The company missed EPS estimates last quarter, leading to a 2.17% share price increase. Currently trading at $225.39, shares are down 5.86% over the past year. Analysts rate the company as Neutral, with a one-year price target of $242.4, indicating a potential upside. Packaging Corp ranks low in revenue growth among peers but excels in return on equity and net margin, showcasing strong financial health.</p>

Packaging Corp of America's Earnings Outlook