Company Adjusts FY26 Free Cash Flow Outlook to At Least $315M
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy GEF?
Backs FY26 adjusted free cash flow view at least $315M. The company said, "Our markets have now experienced a multi-year period of industrial contraction, and we have not identified any compelling demand inflection on the horizon. While we believe we are well positioned for an eventual recovery of the industrial economy, at this time we believe it is appropriate to continue to provide only low-end guidance based on the continuing demand trends reflected, both in the current year and in the past year, and current price/cost factors. As a result of current and anticipated consequences of the Middle East conflict, we have reduced our low-end annual Adjusted EBITDA guidance. Call-in details are provided below."
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Analyst Views on GEF
Wall Street analysts forecast GEF stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 68.070
Low
60.00
Averages
71.25
High
79.00
Current: 68.070
Low
60.00
Averages
71.25
High
79.00
About GEF
Greif, Inc. specializes in industrial packaging products and services. Its Customized Polymer Solutions segment is involved in the production and sale of a comprehensive line of polymer-based packaging products, such as plastic drums, rigid intermediate bulk containers and small plastics. The Durable Metal Solutions segment is involved in the production and sale of metal-based packaging products, including a variety of steel drums. The Sustainable Fiber Solutions segment is engaged in the production and sale of fiber-based packaging products, including fiber drums, corrugated sheets, corrugated containers, uncoated recycled board, coated recycled board, uncoated recycled board and coated recycled board. The Integrated Solutions segment is engaged in the production and sale of complimentary packaging products, such as paints, linings and closure systems for industrial packaging products and related services.
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.
Greif, Inc. Q2 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Cost Optimization Success: Greif achieved $75 million in cost savings during Q2 2026, with a full-year target of $80 million to $90 million, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to productivity and cost control aimed at enhancing profitability and market competitiveness.
- Strong Financial Position: Despite completing a $150 million share repurchase program, Greif maintained a leverage ratio of 1.1x, indicating the company's capital allocation flexibility to support future organic growth and dividend increases while ensuring financial stability.
- EBITDA Guidance Adjustment: Greif revised its low-end adjusted EBITDA guidance to $610 million due to the impacts of the Middle East conflict, reflecting uncertainty in market demand while emphasizing financial resilience in the current environment.
- Significant Free Cash Flow Improvement: The adjusted free cash flow improved by 107% year-over-year to $90 million in Q2, excluding approximately $30 million from divested operations last year, showcasing the company's substantial progress in cash flow management and enhancing its capacity for future investments.
See More
Greif Q2 Earnings Miss Expectations Significantly
- Earnings Miss: Greif reported a Q2 GAAP EPS of $0.33, missing expectations by $0.72, indicating significant challenges in profitability that could undermine investor confidence.
- Revenue Decline: The company’s revenue fell to $1.07 billion, a 23% year-over-year decrease that missed expectations, reflecting weak market demand and potential ongoing pressure on future performance.
- Adjusted EBITDA Growth: Despite the revenue drop, adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.5% to $156.8 million, suggesting improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which may support future profitability.
- Significant Debt Reduction: Total debt decreased to $1.0059 billion, primarily due to the repayment of approximately $1.864 billion from the sale of the Containerboard and timberland businesses, with a leverage ratio dropping to 1.1x, indicating improved financial health.
See More
Greif, Inc. to Report Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Report Schedule: Greif, Inc. will release its Q2 2026 financial results after market close on April 28, 2026, providing investors with critical financial data and operational performance insights.
- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for April 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET, during which management will provide a detailed interpretation of the financial results and answer investor questions, enhancing transparency.
- Registration and Participation: Participants can access the call using an online registration link to receive dial-in information and a unique conference call code, with phone lines opening half an hour prior to the meeting to ensure smooth access for attendees.
- Digital Replay Service: A digital replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the meeting on Greif's website, allowing investors who could not attend in real-time to access the information, thereby improving information accessibility and transparency.
See More
Analysis of GEF's 52-Week High and Low Points
- Price Fluctuation Analysis: GEF's 52-week low is $48.23 per share, while the high is $77.14, with the last trade at $64.57, indicating significant volatility over the past year and reflecting varying market expectations for its future performance.
- Technical Indicator Observation: The current price of $64.57 is below the 200-day moving average, potentially signaling short-term downside risk, prompting investors to monitor market sentiment changes and their potential impact on the stock price.
- Market Sentiment Impact: GEF's stock price has experienced high and low fluctuations over the past 52 weeks, likely influenced by overall market trends and company fundamentals, necessitating cautious evaluation by investors in their decision-making processes.
- Investor Focus: As GEF's stock price approaches its 52-week low, investors may reassess their investment strategies, particularly in the selection of dividend stocks, and should pay attention to its long-term yield potential.
See More
EVR Research LP Acquires New Stake in Greif
- New Investment Update: EVR Research LP established a new position in Greif by acquiring 175,000 shares valued at $11.85 million during Q4 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's prospects and making it a significant part of their portfolio.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This transaction positions Greif at 6.39% of EVR Research LP's assets under management, highlighting the company's importance in a diversified investment strategy and further solidifying its market presence.
- Improved Financial Performance: Greif's latest earnings report reveals a net income surge from $6.6 million a year ago to $176.6 million for the quarter, partly due to meaningful cost reductions, showcasing the company's success in operational optimization.
- Positive Market Outlook: Greif's operations span chemicals, food, and agriculture, providing a steady stream of demand that reduces reliance on consumer sentiment, thereby enhancing its resilience against economic fluctuations.
See More
Greif Announces Price Increase for Paperboard Products
- Price Increase Announcement: Greif has announced a price increase of $60 to $70 per short ton for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB), effective for new orders starting April 6, 2026, aimed at mitigating rising labor and transportation costs, which could impact profit margins.
- Packaging Product Adjustments: Additionally, tube and core and protective packaging products will see a minimum increase of 7.5%, effective April 13, 2026, driven by the rising costs of URB and other manufacturing expenses, potentially influencing customer purchasing decisions.
- Cost Pressure Factors: This price adjustment reflects the increasing labor, utility, and manufacturing costs faced by Greif, indicating challenges to the company's profitability in the current economic climate, which may lead to fluctuations in market share.
- Company Background: Founded in 1877, Greif is a global leader in performance packaging with operations in over 35 countries, committed to providing innovative and tailored solutions; despite cost pressures, it must maintain competitiveness in rapidly growing industries.
See More
Greif, Inc. Q2 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Cost Optimization Success: Greif achieved $75 million in cost savings during Q2 2026, with a full-year target of $80 million to $90 million, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to productivity and cost control aimed at enhancing profitability and market competitiveness.
- Strong Financial Position: Despite completing a $150 million share repurchase program, Greif maintained a leverage ratio of 1.1x, indicating the company's capital allocation flexibility to support future organic growth and dividend increases while ensuring financial stability.
- EBITDA Guidance Adjustment: Greif revised its low-end adjusted EBITDA guidance to $610 million due to the impacts of the Middle East conflict, reflecting uncertainty in market demand while emphasizing financial resilience in the current environment.
- Significant Free Cash Flow Improvement: The adjusted free cash flow improved by 107% year-over-year to $90 million in Q2, excluding approximately $30 million from divested operations last year, showcasing the company's substantial progress in cash flow management and enhancing its capacity for future investments.
See More
Greif Q2 Earnings Miss Expectations Significantly
- Earnings Miss: Greif reported a Q2 GAAP EPS of $0.33, missing expectations by $0.72, indicating significant challenges in profitability that could undermine investor confidence.
- Revenue Decline: The company’s revenue fell to $1.07 billion, a 23% year-over-year decrease that missed expectations, reflecting weak market demand and potential ongoing pressure on future performance.
- Adjusted EBITDA Growth: Despite the revenue drop, adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.5% to $156.8 million, suggesting improvements in cost control and operational efficiency, which may support future profitability.
- Significant Debt Reduction: Total debt decreased to $1.0059 billion, primarily due to the repayment of approximately $1.864 billion from the sale of the Containerboard and timberland businesses, with a leverage ratio dropping to 1.1x, indicating improved financial health.
See More
Greif, Inc. to Report Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Report Schedule: Greif, Inc. will release its Q2 2026 financial results after market close on April 28, 2026, providing investors with critical financial data and operational performance insights.
- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for April 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET, during which management will provide a detailed interpretation of the financial results and answer investor questions, enhancing transparency.
- Registration and Participation: Participants can access the call using an online registration link to receive dial-in information and a unique conference call code, with phone lines opening half an hour prior to the meeting to ensure smooth access for attendees.
- Digital Replay Service: A digital replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the meeting on Greif's website, allowing investors who could not attend in real-time to access the information, thereby improving information accessibility and transparency.
See More
Analysis of GEF's 52-Week High and Low Points
- Price Fluctuation Analysis: GEF's 52-week low is $48.23 per share, while the high is $77.14, with the last trade at $64.57, indicating significant volatility over the past year and reflecting varying market expectations for its future performance.
- Technical Indicator Observation: The current price of $64.57 is below the 200-day moving average, potentially signaling short-term downside risk, prompting investors to monitor market sentiment changes and their potential impact on the stock price.
- Market Sentiment Impact: GEF's stock price has experienced high and low fluctuations over the past 52 weeks, likely influenced by overall market trends and company fundamentals, necessitating cautious evaluation by investors in their decision-making processes.
- Investor Focus: As GEF's stock price approaches its 52-week low, investors may reassess their investment strategies, particularly in the selection of dividend stocks, and should pay attention to its long-term yield potential.
See More
EVR Research LP Acquires New Stake in Greif
- New Investment Update: EVR Research LP established a new position in Greif by acquiring 175,000 shares valued at $11.85 million during Q4 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's prospects and making it a significant part of their portfolio.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This transaction positions Greif at 6.39% of EVR Research LP's assets under management, highlighting the company's importance in a diversified investment strategy and further solidifying its market presence.
- Improved Financial Performance: Greif's latest earnings report reveals a net income surge from $6.6 million a year ago to $176.6 million for the quarter, partly due to meaningful cost reductions, showcasing the company's success in operational optimization.
- Positive Market Outlook: Greif's operations span chemicals, food, and agriculture, providing a steady stream of demand that reduces reliance on consumer sentiment, thereby enhancing its resilience against economic fluctuations.
See More
Greif Announces Price Increase for Paperboard Products
- Price Increase Announcement: Greif has announced a price increase of $60 to $70 per short ton for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB), effective for new orders starting April 6, 2026, aimed at mitigating rising labor and transportation costs, which could impact profit margins.
- Packaging Product Adjustments: Additionally, tube and core and protective packaging products will see a minimum increase of 7.5%, effective April 13, 2026, driven by the rising costs of URB and other manufacturing expenses, potentially influencing customer purchasing decisions.
- Cost Pressure Factors: This price adjustment reflects the increasing labor, utility, and manufacturing costs faced by Greif, indicating challenges to the company's profitability in the current economic climate, which may lead to fluctuations in market share.
- Company Background: Founded in 1877, Greif is a global leader in performance packaging with operations in over 35 countries, committed to providing innovative and tailored solutions; despite cost pressures, it must maintain competitiveness in rapidly growing industries.
See More
