Smurfit WestRock plcNYSE: SW
Materials · Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials
$44.87
+18.89%
Vol: 966K
Research Digest
Monday, June 15, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 14Smurfit WestRock shares fell 5.8% on June 10 to ~$39, sliding to the lower end of its 52-week range despite a Q1 revenue beat and Strong Buy consensus.Mixed▶
Smurfit WestRock shares fell about 5.8% on June 10, 2026 to roughly $38.95, down about 7.5% on the week and near the low end of a 52-week range of $32.73 to $52.65. The drop comes despite Q1 2026 revenue of $7.71 billion that beat the $7.53 billion consensus, with management citing improving demand and pricing and a positive outlook for Q2 and the full year. The stock screens as undervalued on some models (about 16.5% below a GF Value estimate of $46.65) and yields roughly 4.5%, and the 15-analyst consensus is Strong Buy with a $53.68 target implying nearly 49% upside. The company also intends to delist from the London Stock Exchange and is pursuing optimization moves including the planned Wakefield, Massachusetts plant closure. The bull case is packaging-demand recovery and merger synergies; the bear case is a lofty 53x P/E, cyclical end-market exposure, and labor and restructuring frictions.
May 21Smurfit Westrock announces LSE delisting plan and posts 83% Q1 net income declineNegative▶
On May 20, Smurfit WestRock announced plans to delist from the London Stock Exchange, citing low trading volume and associated costs/regulatory burden, leaving NYSE as the sole trading venue. Q1 net income fell 83% to $63M (vs $382M in Q1 prior year) on rising COGS including accelerated depreciation for machine closures, lower volumes, economic downtime, weather and freight. Management implemented $50/ton containerboard price increases YTD and expects volume growth for corrugated in H2 2026. Shares fell 4.6% on May 19 to $35.62. Morgan Stanley lowered PT to $57 from $60. Risk: integration complexity and weakening near-term packaging demand outpace pricing actions.
May 20Smurfit Westrock shares fall 4.6% on May 19 extending 7-day losing streak after weak Q1 earnings and Morgan Stanley target cutNegative▶
Smurfit Westrock shares fell 4.6% on May 19 to $35.62, extending a 7-day losing streak with cumulative losses of -9.5% and erasing about $2.1B in market cap to $20B. Q1 2026 net income plunged 83% to $63M from $382M year-ago despite net sales rising 1% to $7.7B, with adjusted EPS dropping to $0.33 from $0.68 as management blamed adverse weather in North America. The company has implemented $50/ton containerboard price increases YTD and expects corrugated volume growth in H2 2026. Morgan Stanley cut its price target to $57 from $60 on May 6, while Truist views potential boxboard hikes as positive. The May 1 AGM approved all director nominees and proposals. The company also announced plans to exit its London listing and focus solely on NYSE.
May 19No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 18Smurfit Westrock shares slid 9.5% over 7-day losing streak to $37.48; Morgan Stanley cut PT to $57 amid weak Q1Negative▶
Smurfit Westrock posted a 7-day cumulative loss of -9.5%, with market cap dropping ~$2.1 billion to about $20 billion. Shares traded at $37.48 on May 18. Q1 2026 net sales were $7.7 billion with adjusted EPS of $0.33, down from $0.68 in the year-ago quarter, hit by adverse North American weather. Morgan Stanley lowered its price target to $57 from $60 on May 5. Truist on May 14 flagged a boxboard hike as a potential positive. The May 1 AGM approved all proposals including director elections. A 2025 Sustainability Report (released May 14) targets 28% Scope 1 and 2 emissions cuts by 2030.
May 15Smurfit Westrock released its 2025 Sustainability Report on May 14 with circular-procurement targets across 57 mills and announced a six-week consultation that could close its UK Birmingham SSK paper mill starting May 15.Mixed▶
On May 14, 2026, Smurfit Westrock released its 2025 Sustainability Report detailing circular-procurement transition plans across 57 mills in 40 countries and a target to cut Scope 1/2 emissions 28% by 2030 versus 2019. The company also launched a six-week consultation beginning May 15 that could result in closure of its SSK paper mill in Birmingham, UK, as part of capacity rationalization. Other recent items: glueline-free packaging prototype launched May 5; CEO Tony Smurfit received an Ireland Funds leadership award May 8; the company won 15 WorldStar awards. The quarterly dividend of $0.45 has an ex-date of May 15. The board also announced changes. Risk: European paper-mill restructuring costs and softer industrial packaging demand could keep near-term earnings under pressure even as long-term volumes stabilize.
May 14Smurfit Westrock published 2025 Sustainability Report with new 2030 emissions targets on May 12 alongside ongoing LSE listing reviewMixed▶
On May 12, 2026, Smurfit Westrock published its 2025 Sustainability Report introducing quantified 2030 Better Planet targets including 28% Scope 1+2 emissions reduction, 22% mill water cut, and 24% landfill waste reduction. The company review of its London Stock Exchange listing is expected to conclude in May, potentially leading to LSE delisting. Q1 results (April 30) missed with EPS of $0.33 vs $0.36 estimate; net income fell to $63M from $382M YoY though revenue of $7.71B beat. Tony Smurfit received Distinguished Leadership Award (May 8). Quarterly dividend of $0.4523 payable June 10 (record May 15). Risk: weak Q1 margins and execution on packaging consolidation.
May 13Smurfit Westrock was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from Hold to Sell on May 9 amid soft earnings; CEO honored at Ireland Funds award May 8.Negative▶
On May 9, 2026, Wall Street Zen downgraded Smurfit Westrock from Hold to Sell. Tony Smurfit was presented with a Distinguished Leadership Award by The Ireland Funds on May 8. On May 5, the company launched a prototype glueline-free packaging solution. Royal Bank of Canada earlier lowered its price target from $54 to $53 with an Outperform rating on May 1; Truist Financial set a $50 target. Q1 2026 missed with EPS of $0.33 vs $0.36 consensus, though revenue of $7.71B beat $7.57B. The company is undertaking a review of its London Stock Exchange listing potentially leading to delisting.
May 12Smurfit Westrock launched consultation on May 5 to close its Birmingham UK paper mill and four converting sites (130 jobs at risk), while Q1 2026 net income collapsed to $63M from $382M YoY on restructuring and weather costs.Negative▶
Smurfit Westrock reported Q1 2026 revenue of $7.7B but net income collapsed to $63M from $382M YoY, with net margin falling from 5.0% to 0.8% due to higher depreciation, impairment, restructuring costs and ~$65M weather-related headwinds. The company launched a six-week consultation on May 5 over closing its SSK Birmingham paper mill and four converting operations in UK/Netherlands, putting ~130 jobs at risk. Management guided Q2 adjusted EBITDA to $1.1-$1.2B and full year to $5.0-$5.3B. The company is also reviewing its LSE listing with potential delisting expected in May. Citi cut its price target to $51 from $53 and JPMorgan to $62 from $64 on May 4.
May 11Smurfit Westrock plans Birmingham mill closure and 130 UK/Netherlands job cuts, reviews LSE delisting in MayMixed▶
On May 5 Smurfit Westrock announced a review that may close its Birmingham mill plus four converting sites in UK and Netherlands, putting roughly 130 jobs at risk; consultation begins May 15 for six weeks. CEO Pim Wareman described it as aligning operations with market realities. The company is also reviewing its London Stock Exchange listing, with a possible delisting decision expected during May 2026. Q1 2026 net sales were $7.7B and adjusted EBITDA $1.07B, mixed but stable. Citigroup cut PT to $51 from $53 on May 4 while keeping a Buy rating. A $0.4523 quarterly dividend pays to record date May 15, yielding ~4.8%.
May 8Smurfit Westrock rose 5.9% after announcing capacity cuts and price hikes despite Q1 2026 earnings miss due to adverse weather and cost pressures.Mixed▶
Smurfit Westrock reported Q1 2026 results with net sales of $7,712M, net income of $63M (0.8% margin), and adjusted EBITDA of $1,076M (14.0% margin), missing consensus estimates due to adverse weather, higher costs, and softer North American volumes. However, containerboard pricing increased $20/ton in Q1 with further $30/ton increases implemented in April. Demand across paper grades improved progressively. Company announced permanent closure of La Tuque paper machine and named Worldwide Ryder Cup Partner. 12 analysts rate as Strong Buy with average 12-month PT of $53.17.
May 7Smurfit Westrock missed Q1 2026 earnings but announced permanent mill closures and capacity cuts; shares surged 5.9% on cost-cutting news.Mixed▶
Smurfit Westrock reported Q1 2026 results on May 5-6, 2026, missing consensus earnings and revenue estimates due to adverse weather, higher costs, and softer North American volumes. Net sales reached $7,712M with $1,076M adjusted EBITDA. In response, the company announced permanent closure of its St. Paul, Minnesota coated recycled board mill and discontinuation of its Forney, Texas containerboard mill, impacting approximately 650 U.S. and German employees. Despite the earnings miss, shares surged 5.9% as investors reacted positively to management cost-cutting actions.
May 6Smurfit Westrock Q1 revenue $7.712B with margin pressures from weather; announces $7B EBITDA 2030 targetMixed▶
Smurfit Westrock reported Q1 2026 net sales of $7.712 billion with net income impacted by $65 million adverse weather costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin 14.0%. Containerboard pricing increased $20/ton with further $30/ton increases planned in April. Company announced ambitious medium-term plan targeting $7 billion adjusted EBITDA and 19% group margin by 2030. Four converting operations and one UK paper mill closures announced. Stock faces selling pressure from price target cuts from RBC, Truist, Citi, UBS.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWSMURFIT | $44.87 | +18.89% | +1.0% | 11.9x | 0.94 | $19.8B |
| PKGPACKAGING | $231.24 | +8.18% | +1.5% | 17.5x | 0.83 | $19.0B |
| AMCRAMCOR | $42.15 | +9.48% | +2.7% | 9.0x | 0.63 | $17.8B |
| IPINTERNATIONAL | $37.46 | +18.90% | +3.6% | 11.8x | 0.90 | $16.7B |
| AVYAVERY | $161.75 | +1.79% | +1.3% | 14.2x | 0.85 | $12.2B |
| LINLINDE | $519.59 | +0.99% | +0.7% | 26.1x | 0.74 | $237.9B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.