CLW (Clearwater Paper) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 1.50% (As of Jun. 2026) — 329% Above Median

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Director of Data and Quant Analytics at GuruFocus
Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
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Founder & CEO of GuruFocus
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.

CLW Clearwater Paper Corp CLW
52 GF Score
Price $20.67
GF Value $31.30
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 4 Warning Signs
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What is Clearwater Paper 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio?

Clearwater Paper CLW +0.19% 52 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.50 as of Jun. 2026, which is 329% above its 10-year median of 0.35. GuruFocus rates CLW with a GF Score™ of 52/100 and a GF Value™ of $31.30 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 4 warning signs investors should review. Among 126 Forest Products companies, Clearwater Paper ranks better than 80.16% on this metric.

Shares Outstanding (EOP) are shares that have been authorized, issued, and purchased by investors and are held by them.

3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. A positive ratio may indicate share buybacks over the period, while a zero or negative ratio may reflect no repurchases or potential share issuance. Clearwater Paper's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 1.50%.

The historical rank and industry rank for Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio or its related term are showing as below:

CLW' s 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -0.5   Med: 0.35   Max: 8.1
Current: 1.5

During the past 13 years, Clearwater Paper's highest 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 8.10%. The lowest was -0.50%. And the median was 0.35%.

CLW's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is ranked better than
80.16% of 126 companies
in the Forest Products industry
Industry Median: -0.45 vs CLW: 1.50

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Explanation

A negative number means the company might be issuing new shares. A positive number indicates that the company is buying back shares.


Be Aware

Investors usually like share buybacks. But as pointed by Warren Buffett, only if a company buys back shares at the prices below the stock's intrinsic value, it rewards remaining shareholders. If a company buys its overvalued stocks back, it destroys shareholder value.


Clearwater Paper 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Related Terms


CLW vs MERC, ITP: 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Comparison

For the Paper & Paper Products subindustry, Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Clearwater Paper 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio vs Forest Products Industry

For the Forest Products industry and Basic Materials sector, Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio falls into.


CLW
52GF Score
Clearwater Paper Corp CLW
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Clearwater Paper 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Calculation

This is the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. The annualized percentage change is calculated with expontential compound based on the latest four years of annual data on Shares Outstanding (EOP).

Please click Growth Rate Calculation Example (GuruFocus) to see how GuruFocus calculates Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT)'s revenue growth rate. You can apply the same method to get the average dividends per share growth rate.

What does a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.50 mean?
Clearwater Paper (CLW) has a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.50 as of Jun. 2026. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Clearwater Paper and its competitors. This is 329% above median its historical median of 0.35. According to the industry distribution chart, Clearwater Paper ranks #25 out of 126 companies in the Forest Products industry, placing it in the top 19.8%.
Is Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio too high?
Clearwater Paper's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.50 is 329% above median its 10-year median of 0.35. Based on the distribution chart, Clearwater Paper ranks #25 out of 126 companies in the Forest Products industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Clearwater Paper has a GF Score™ of 52/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Clearwater Paper's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio compare to MERC and ITP?
According to the Forest Products industry distribution chart, Clearwater Paper ranks #25 out of 126 companies for 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio. This places Clearwater Paper in the top 20% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio for a Forest Products company?
A good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio depends on the Forest Products industry context. However, 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio mean?
A high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Clearwater Paper and its competitors. Clearwater Paper's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.50, which is 329% above median its own 10-year median of 0.35. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Clearwater Paper stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Clearwater Paper (CLW) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $31.30, compared to a current price of $20.67 — trading 34% below its estimated fair value. The current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.50, which is 329% above median its 10-year median of 0.35. Clearwater Paper's overall GF Score™ is 52/100 with 4 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio calculated?
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Clearwater Paper (CLW), the current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.50 as of Jun. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Clearwater Paper (CLW) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Clearwater Paper stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $20.67 is trading 34% below its estimated GF Value™ of $31.30. GuruFocus considers Clearwater Paper to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for CLW:

  • 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 1.50 (329% above median its 10-year median of 0.35)
  • GF Value™: $31.30 vs. price of $20.67 (34% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 52/100 with 4 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the CLW stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Clearwater Paper Business Description

Other Exchanges 5WC:Germany
Address 601 West Riverside, Suite 1100, Spokane, WA, USA, 99201
Clearwater Paper Corp is engaged in the manufacturing and supplier of Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard packaging products. The company products includes: SBS paperboard which is a premium paperboard grade that is frequently used to produce folding cartons, food service, commercial printing items. It generates maximum revenue from Pulp and Paperboard segment. Company operate in United States and have globalized access too. Geographically, it derives maximum revenue from the United States.
52GF Score

Get the complete analysis for CLW

3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$20.67
Price
$31.30
GF Value