Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) recently declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per share. The company offers a dividend yield of 2.9%, beating the industry average of 1.8%. Shares have been outpacing the market, closing in on a 52-week high.
Company Description
Packaging Corporation of America produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S. The company saw sales of $2.4 billion in 2008. PKG runs 4 paper mills and 68 corrugated product plants in 26 states.
Solid Income
The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per share, noting that it will be paid to shareholders of record as of September 15 with a payment date of October 15.
Packaging Corporation offers a dividend yield of 2.9%, beating the industry average of 1.8%.
Robust Results
The company recently posted second-quarter adjusted earnings of 28 cents per share, which was below the previous year’s 34 cents but well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents. Sales slipped 11% year-over-year.
Paul T. Stecko, Chairman and CEO of PCA, said, “Business conditions improved significantly during the quarter with higher than expected sales volumes, less market-related mill downtime, and lower operating costs. Compared to the first quarter, our corrugated products shipments were up 10%, or 40,000 tons, and outside sales of containerboard were up 20%, or 16,000 tons. Energy costs were also significantly lower than expected driven by operating efficiencies and lower prices. PCA’s containerboard inventory fell during the quarter, and industry inventories were at their lowest June ending level in almost 30 years.”
PKG shares have been outpacing the market, closing in on a 52-week high.
Bullish Earnings Forecasts
The current year Zacks Consensus Estimate spiked from 59 cents per share to 95 cents over the past 2 months. For 2010, the Zacks Consensus Estimated jumped from the 2 months-ago level of 58 cents to 96 cents.
Stellar Fundamentals
Packaging Corporation offers a return on equity (ROE) on of 17%, exceeding the industry average of 12%. The company’s net profit margin of 9% tops the industry average of 4%.
