Smurfit WestRock announces quarterly dividend, boosting investor confidence
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 25 2024
0mins
Should l Buy SW?
Source: Newsfilter
Smurfit Westrock PLC's stock rose by 5.23% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment.
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per ordinary share, payable on March 18, 2026, which underscores its ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns. The ex-dividend and record dates are set for February 17, 2026, ensuring that shareholders holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, thereby enhancing investor confidence. Additionally, shareholders can choose to receive dividends in U.S. dollars, Pounds Sterling, or Euros, demonstrating the company's flexibility to meet diverse investor needs.
This announcement is likely to attract more investors, as the dividend reflects the company's strong cash flow and profitability, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions.
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Analyst Views on SW
Wall Street analysts forecast SW stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SW is 50.49 USD with a low forecast of 45.00 USD and a high forecast of 60.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 43.170
Low
45.00
Averages
50.49
High
60.00
Current: 43.170
Low
45.00
Averages
50.49
High
60.00
About SW
Smurfit Westrock plc is a multinational provider of sustainable fiber-based paper and packaging solutions. Its segments include Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC); North America, and LATAM, which has a system of mills and plants that primarily produce a full line of containerboard that is converted into corrugated containers within each segment or is sold to third parties. Its North America segment offers linerboard, white-top linerboard and containerboard, and kraft paper and caters primarily to corrugated packaging markets. Its Europe, MEA and APAC segment primarily offer a full line of containerboard that is converted into corrugated containers. It is also engaged in packaging and paper market segments, such as sack kraft paper, machine glazed paper, graphic board, solid board, solid board packaging and boxboard. The LATAM segment is engaged in producing containerboard, consumer packaging board and sack kraft paper.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Smurfit Westrock Announces Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Smurfit Westrock plc has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per ordinary share, payable on March 18, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The ex-dividend and record dates are both set for February 17, 2026, ensuring that shareholders holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Currency Flexibility: For shareholders holding ordinary shares through a Depository Trust Company, the default payment currency is U.S. dollars, but they can elect to receive dividends in Pounds Sterling or Euros, demonstrating the company's attention to diverse investor needs.
- Company Background: Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions globally, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries, showcasing its strong influence and market position in the industry.
See More
Smurfit Westrock Announces Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Smurfit Westrock plc has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per ordinary share, payable on March 18, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The ex-dividend and record dates are both set for February 17, 2026, ensuring that shareholders holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Currency Payment Options: The default payment currency is U.S. dollars, with shareholders having the option to receive dividends in pounds sterling or euros by providing instructions within specified deadlines, demonstrating the company's flexibility to meet diverse investor needs.
- Company Background: Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions globally, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries, highlighting its significant position and market influence in the industry.
See More
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- Market Recovery Expectations: With lower interest rates and favorable tax policies, UBS anticipates a 70 basis point growth in box shipments in 2026, driven primarily by manufacturing activity and consumer demand.
- Stock Recommendations: UBS reiterated Buy ratings on International Paper (IP) and Smurfit WestRock (SW), viewing both as preferred plays in the containerboard recovery, with a target price of $51 for IP, implying about 20% upside.
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Smurfit Westrock Announces Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Smurfit Westrock plc has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per ordinary share, payable on March 18, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The ex-dividend and record dates are both set for February 17, 2026, ensuring that shareholders holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Currency Flexibility: For shareholders holding ordinary shares through a Depository Trust Company, the default payment currency is U.S. dollars, but they can elect to receive dividends in Pounds Sterling or Euros, demonstrating the company's attention to diverse investor needs.
- Company Background: Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions globally, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries, showcasing its strong influence and market position in the industry.
See More
Smurfit Westrock Announces Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Smurfit Westrock plc has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per ordinary share, payable on March 18, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The ex-dividend and record dates are both set for February 17, 2026, ensuring that shareholders holding shares before this date will receive the dividend, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Currency Payment Options: The default payment currency is U.S. dollars, with shareholders having the option to receive dividends in pounds sterling or euros by providing instructions within specified deadlines, demonstrating the company's flexibility to meet diverse investor needs.
- Company Background: Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions globally, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries, highlighting its significant position and market influence in the industry.
See More
S&P 500 Index Edges Up as Tech Stocks Rally
- Tech Stock Rally: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.03% driven by a rebound in the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, indicating a recovery in market confidence despite ongoing uncertainties.
- Consumer Confidence Boost: The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index was revised up to 56.4, a five-month high, exceeding expectations of 54.0, suggesting increased consumer confidence that could stimulate spending.
- Easing Inflation Expectations: The one-year inflation expectations were revised down from 4.2% to 4.0%, reflecting a reduction in market concerns about future inflation, which may support stock performance.
- Oil Price Surge: WTI crude oil prices jumped over 2% to a one-week high as President Trump reiterated military threats against Iran, boosting energy stocks and highlighting the impact of geopolitical risks on the market.
See More
UBS Bullish on North American Containerboard Sector, Forecasts $40 Price Increase in 2026
- Supply-Demand Improvement: UBS analysts highlight unprecedented capacity reductions of about 4 million tons, or 12% of 2024 demand, which should support at least one containerboard price hike in 2026, forecasting a $40 increase in Q2.
- Market Recovery Expectations: With lower interest rates and favorable tax policies, UBS anticipates a 70 basis point growth in box shipments in 2026, driven primarily by manufacturing activity and consumer demand.
- Stock Recommendations: UBS reiterated Buy ratings on International Paper (IP) and Smurfit WestRock (SW), viewing both as preferred plays in the containerboard recovery, with a target price of $51 for IP, implying about 20% upside.
- Cautious Outlook: UBS maintains a Neutral stance on consumer boxboard, warning of oversupply in the market, particularly as the expansion of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may impact packaged food demand, leading to pricing risks for Graphic Packaging (GPK).
See More
Stock Index Futures Flat as Traders Await Retail Inflation Data
- Futures Market Movement: On Tuesday, stock index futures remained largely unchanged, with S&P 500 futures edging up 0.05%, Dow futures rising 0.001%, and Nasdaq 100 futures slipping 0.04%, indicating market caution ahead of the upcoming retail inflation report.
- Rising Treasury Yields: The U.S. 2-year Treasury yield increased to 3.56%, up 0.54%; the 10-year yield climbed to 4.20%, adding 0.41%; and the 30-year yield rose to 4.85%, also up 0.41%, reflecting changing market expectations regarding future interest rates.
- CPI Expectations: The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to rise by 0.3%, with core CPI also projected to increase by 0.3%, leading to annual increases of 2.6% and 2.7%, which will significantly impact market sentiment and investment decisions.
- Premarket Trading Winners and Losers: In premarket trading, Revvity gained 4.92%, Huntington Ingalls Industries rose 1.70%, and Edwards Lifesciences also increased by 1.70%; in contrast, Union Pacific fell by 1.96%, Smurfit Westrock declined by 1.61%, and CDW dropped by 1.51%, indicating a divergence in market performance.
See More
Sodexo Achieves CDP Climate A Rating Again, Reports €24.1 Billion Revenue
- Climate Action Recognition: Sodexo has once again been included in the CDP Climate A List, being among the top 4% of over 22,000 companies assessed in 2025, highlighting its leadership in environmental transparency and performance.
- Significant Emission Reductions: In fiscal year 2025, Sodexo achieved a 37.7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 19.1% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, demonstrating its ongoing commitment and effective implementation of climate action strategies.
- New Strategic Initiative: With the launch of the Better Tomorrow 2028 plan, Sodexo aims to accelerate its positive sustainable impact while supporting clients in achieving their sustainability goals, thereby enhancing its business performance and solidifying its market position.
- Global Influence Expansion: Operating in 43 countries with 426,000 employees and serving 80 million consumers daily, Sodexo showcases its strong global influence and market penetration capabilities, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in sustainability efforts.
See More
