Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, would you be able to give me your advice on Graphic Packaging (GPK)? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Graphic Packaging Holding Company, $20.04, symbol GPK on New York, (Shares outstanding: 307.0 million; Market cap: $6.0 billion; www.graphicpkg.com), is a provider of paper-based packaging for food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer product companies. Note, it’s one of the largest producers of folding cartons in the U.S. On May 14, 2021, the company announced that it would acquire AR Packaging, a Swedish company owned by CVC Capital Partners. That’s a global private equity firm with 23 offices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Graphic Packaging will pay CVC $1.45 billion for AR Packaging, which is the second-largest producer of fibre-based consumer packaging in Europe. The acquisition enhances the company’s global scale, especially in Europe. AR has 25 facilities spread across Eastern and Western Europe. The deal will add $1.1 billion to Graphic Packaging’s annual sales. At the same time, the company expects to realize $40 million a year in cost savings within 36 months after completing the purchase. Over the last five years,…