Unpacking the Dividend Performance of Packaging Corp of America

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A Comprehensive Analysis of the Company's Dividend History, Yield, Growth, and Sustainability

Packaging Corp of America (PKG, Financial) recently announced a dividend of $1.25 per share, payable on 2023-10-13, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-22. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Packaging Corp of America's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

Understanding Packaging Corp of America

Packaging Corp of America is the third-largest containerboard and corrugated packaging manufacturer in the United States. It produces over 4 million tons of containerboard annually. The company's share of the domestic containerboard market is about 10%. The firm differentiates itself from larger competitors by focusing on smaller customers and operating with a high degree of flexibility.

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A Look at Packaging Corp of America's Dividend History

Packaging Corp of America has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2003. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis.

Packaging Corp of America has increased its dividend each year since 2009. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 14 years.

Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

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Analysing Packaging Corp of America's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Packaging Corp of America currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.32% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.32%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Packaging Corp of America's annual dividend growth rate was 14.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 12.40% per year. And over the past decade, Packaging Corp of America's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 14.50%.

Based on Packaging Corp of America's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Packaging Corp of America stock as of today is approximately 5.96%.

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Is Packaging Corp of America's Dividend Sustainable? An Examination of Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Packaging Corp of America's dividend payout ratio is 0.53.

Packaging Corp of America's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Packaging Corp of America's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Future Outlook: Packaging Corp of America's Growth Metrics

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Packaging Corp of America's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Packaging Corp of America's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Packaging Corp of America's revenue has increased by approximately 7.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 51.52% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Packaging Corp of America's earnings increased by approximately 14.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 59.6% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 6.40%, which outperforms than approximately 45.63% of global competitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Packaging Corp of America's consistent dividend payments, impressive dividend growth rate, sustainable payout ratio, high profitability, and robust growth metrics make it a compelling choice for dividend investors. However, like all investments, it's crucial to do your due diligence and consider the company's overall financial health and market conditions before making a decision.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.