KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New $9.34 Million Investment in Smurfit Westrock Ltd (NYSE:SW)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of Smurfit Westrock Ltd (NYSE:SW) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 173,371 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,338,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock during the 3rd quarter valued at $215,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in Smurfit Westrock during the third quarter valued at about $426,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans bought a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock during the third quarter valued at about $957,000. Caprock Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock in the third quarter worth about $281,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Smurfit Westrock in the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,134,000. 83.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Smurfit Westrock

In related news, insider Ken Bowles sold 24,225 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.06, for a total value of $1,333,828.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 111,458 shares in the company, valued at $6,136,877.48. The trade was a 17.85 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Alvaro Henao sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.90, for a total transaction of $215,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 44,361 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,391,057.90. This represents a 8.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.49% of the company’s stock.

Smurfit Westrock Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE:SW opened at $44.94 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.37. Smurfit Westrock Ltd has a 52-week low of $38.55 and a 52-week high of $56.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 81.71 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $51.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.65.

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.67 by ($0.33). Smurfit Westrock had a net margin of 0.63% and a return on equity of 6.16%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Smurfit Westrock Ltd will post 3.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Smurfit Westrock Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a $0.4308 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. This is a boost from Smurfit Westrock’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Smurfit Westrock’s dividend payout ratio is 312.73%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on SW. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Smurfit Westrock from $66.00 to $64.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $65.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, November 29th. Finally, Argus started coverage on Smurfit Westrock in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $60.70.

Smurfit Westrock Company Profile

Smurfit Westrock Plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and sells containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products in Ireland and internationally. The company produces containerboard that it converts into corrugated containers or sells to third parties, as well as produces other types of paper, such as consumer packaging board, sack paper, graphic paper, solid board and graphic board, and other paper-based packaging products, such as consumer packaging, solid board packaging, paper sacks, and other packaging products, including bag-in-box.