Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW)

In the past six months, Smurfit WestRock Plc's stock has experienced several notable events. The share price as of January 9, 2026, was $42.96, representing a 17.01% decline from $51.77 on January 10, 2025. As of January 2, 2026, the stock was up 9.64% over the preceding 30 days but down 26.12% over the past 12 months. On January 8, 2026, the stock traded up by 8.25% following strategic merger talks and investor optimism. The company released its Q2 2025 earnings on July 30, 2025, reporting an EPS of -$0.05 against a consensus of $0.57, a -21.05% surprise. The Q3 2025 earnings were released on October 29, 2025, with net sales of $8,003 million and net income of $245 million; the reported EPS was $0.58, missing the consensus of $0.68 by 14.71%. In December 2025, analysts adjusted price targets, and news reports indicated the stock entering oversold territory and discussions around why the stock was sliding.

The demand for Smurfit WestRock Plc's products and services can be influenced by various factors, including consumer spending patterns and industrial activity. The packaging industry often experiences fluctuations tied to retail cycles, such as increased demand during holiday seasons and back-to-school periods. The company serves diverse markets including food and beverage, e-commerce, retail, consumer goods, industrial, and foodservice, which may have their own seasonal trends.

Smurfit WestRock Plc (SW) is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, formed in 2023 through the merger of Smurfit Kappa Group and WestRock Company, and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The company operates in the Basic Materials sector, specifically within the Paper & Related Products and Packaging & Containers industries, with a business model built on vertical integration, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. Its major products and services include custom corrugated boxes, paperboard and containerboard, specialty packaging, and recycling services, as well as solid board, sack kraft paper, graphic paper, paper sacks, and bag-in-box packaging.

Smurfit WestRock Plc operates in over 30 countries, with some sources indicating operations in 40 countries, and has more than 500 packaging converting operations and approximately 59 to 62 paper mills globally. Its operations are segmented across North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Latin America (LATAM).

Smurfit WestRock Plc maintains a strong brand reputation, primarily centered around its commitment to sustainability and innovation in packaging. The company is recognized as a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. Its formation through the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock in 2023 created one of the largest packaging companies worldwide, enhancing its capabilities and product portfolio. Smurfit WestRock has set ambitious sustainability goals, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and committing to using 100% renewable or recyclable materials in its products. In 2023, the company launched new plastic-free packaging solutions and announced a €500 million investment in renewable energy projects and recycling infrastructure. The company highlights its work with major clients to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions, and no significant negative events impacting its brand reputation were found in the past year.

Smurfit WestRock Plc's ownership is predominantly institutional, with institutions holding approximately 84% of the company's shares. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc, BlackRock, Inc., Capital Research Global Investors, State Street Corp, Nuveen, LLC, Orbis Allan Gray Ltd, Geode Capital Management, Llc, and Norges Bank Investment Management. Retail investors hold approximately 12.86% to 26.94% of the stock, and insiders own less than 1% of the company's stock and have been selling recently.