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Smurfit Westrock (SW)
NYSE:SW
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Smurfit Westrock (SW) AI Stock Analysis

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SW

Smurfit Westrock

(NYSE:SW)

Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
Smurfit Westrock's overall score is driven by its stable financial foundation, demonstrated profitability, and strategic initiatives yielding synergies. However, technical indicators and valuation metrics suggest caution, particularly with bearish market momentum and an elevated P/E ratio. The positive earnings call sentiment provides some optimism, but challenges in demand and input costs pose risks.
Positive Factors
Operational Improvements
Smurfit Westrock is executing at a very high level with a compelling medium-term upside story.
Synergies
The integration work to achieve its deal-related $400MM in run-rate cost synergies is now essentially complete.
Negative Factors
Investor Sentiment
The conference call created some confusion around earnings, direction, and priorities, impacting investor sentiment.
Valuation
Despite positive operational signs, the valuation price objective has been slightly reduced due to currency translation effects.

Smurfit Westrock (SW) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Smurfit Westrock Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSmurfit Westrock Plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and sells containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products in Ireland and internationally. The company produces containerboard that it converts into corrugated containers or sells to third parties, as well as produces other types of paper, such as consumer packaging board, sack paper, graphic paper, solid board and graphic board, and other paper-based packaging products, such as consumer packaging, solid board packaging, paper sacks, and other packaging products, including bag-in-box. It also produces linerboard and corrugated medium, paperboard, and non-packaging grades of paper, as well as converted products, such as folding cartons and corrugated boxes, and other products; recycled paper-based packaging products; and packaging machinery. The company primarily serves food and beverage, e-commerce, retail, consumer goods, industrial, and foodservice markets. Smurfit Westrock Plc was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
How the Company Makes MoneySmurfit Westrock generates revenue through the manufacturing and sale of packaging products. Its primary revenue streams include corrugated packaging solutions, paperboard production, and consumer packaging. The company capitalizes on its global reach and scale to serve a broad customer base across various industries. Additionally, Smurfit Westrock benefits from significant partnerships with key players in sectors like retail, food and beverage, and healthcare, which contribute to its consistent revenue growth. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation in packaging solutions also helps in attracting and retaining clients, thereby boosting its financial performance.

Smurfit Westrock Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 30, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -10.54%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a balanced view with notable improvements in North American operations and strong performance in Latin America. However, these positives were offset by volume declines, challenging conditions in Europe, and ongoing issues with loss-making contracts. Economic uncertainty also adds to the cautious sentiment.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Second Quarter Performance
Smurfit Westrock reported a strong second quarter with adjusted EBITDA of $1,213 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.3%.
North American Business Improvement
Significant improvement in the North American business with net sales of $4.8 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.8%, driven by higher selling prices and synergy benefits.
Fitch Credit Rating Upgrade
Fitch upgraded Smurfit Westrock's long-term debt to BBB+ with a stable outlook, reflecting confidence in the company's business quality and prospects.
Synergy Program Progress
The company is on track to deliver $400 million of full-year synergy benefits by exiting 2025, with additional opportunities identified.
Latin America Margin Performance
Latin American operations delivered a strong adjusted EBITDA margin of over 23%, with significant growth opportunities identified.
Negative Updates
Volume Declines in North America
Corrugated box volumes were down 4.5% on a same-day basis in North America, influenced by the strategy to prioritize value over volume.
Challenging Market in Europe
European operations faced a challenging market environment, with modestly lower adjusted EBITDA compared to the previous year.
Loss-Making Contracts
Approximately 60% of loss-making contracts in North America remain to be addressed, indicating ongoing challenges in optimizing the box plant system.
Consumer Packaging Volumes
Consumer packaging shipments in North America were down 2.7%, with volumes in Mexico lower than in the U.S.
Economic Uncertainty
General economic uncertainty and lack of expected seasonal demand pickup in North America contribute to cautious outlook.
Company Guidance
During the Smurfit Westrock 2025 Q2 Results Webcast and Conference Call, the company reported robust performance in line with guidance, achieving an adjusted EBITDA of $1.213 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.3%. Net sales for the quarter reached over $7.9 billion, with a strong adjusted free cash flow of $387 million. The North American segment delivered net sales of $4.8 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.8%, while the EMEA and APAC regions reported an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.4%. Latin America excelled with an adjusted EBITDA margin of over 23%. The company is on track to achieve $400 million in synergies by 2025 and has identified an additional $400 million in operational improvements. Fitch recently upgraded their long-term debt rating to BBB+ with a stable outlook, reflecting confidence in Smurfit Westrock's business quality and prospects. The company anticipates third-quarter adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.3 billion, maintaining full-year guidance between $5 billion and $5.2 billion.

Smurfit Westrock Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Smurfit Westrock demonstrates stable financial performance with strong profitability and balance sheet health. The company shows a solid equity position and manageable leverage, but there are inconsistencies in revenue and free cash flow growth that need addressing.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Smurfit Westrock's income statement reflects a stable gross profit margin of approximately 20% over recent years. The net profit margin has shown improvement, reaching around 3.8% in 2024, indicating better cost management. However, the EBIT margin has seen fluctuations, with a recent decline. Revenue growth has been inconsistent, with occasional declines, although there was a notable increase in 2024. Overall, the company demonstrates profitability with room for improvement in revenue growth consistency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a solid equity base, with an equity ratio of nearly 40% in 2024, suggesting financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is relatively low at 0.06, signaling manageable leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) has been decent at approximately 4.6% in 2024, though it has decreased compared to prior years. While the company's financial position is stable, there is potential to enhance ROE and further optimize leverage.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
The cash flow statement shows a significant drop in free cash flow growth in 2024, indicating increased capital expenditure. The operating cash flow to net income ratio remains strong, suggesting efficient cash generation. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio has decreased, highlighting the need for careful cash management. Despite challenges, the company's ability to generate operating cash flow remains robust.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue30.82B20.38B12.46B12.81B10.11B8.53B
Gross Profit5.91B4.05B4.19B4.06B3.09B2.87B
EBITDA3.72B2.46B2.06B2.23B1.80B1.78B
Net Income365.21M308.06M837.89M1.01B768.78M670.32M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets45.75B43.76B13.96B12.48B11.71B10.29B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments778.00M855.00M983.81M777.00M983.90M891.00M
Total Debt1.03B13.60B3.75B3.78B3.75B3.28B
Total Liabilities27.42B26.37B7.80B7.44B7.32B6.51B
Stockholders Equity18.30B17.36B6.16B5.39B4.96B4.64B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow82.00M17.00M727.35M503.00M420.05M901.55M
Operating Cash Flow2.13B1.48B1.56B1.43B1.12B1.25B
Investing Cash Flow-2.72B-2.11B-931.00M-1.02B-498.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.96B607.00M-479.00M-431.00M-14.00M-64.00M

Smurfit Westrock Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price42.69
Price Trends
50DMA
44.43
Negative
100DMA
43.34
Negative
200DMA
47.04
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.54
Positive
RSI
41.34
Neutral
STOCH
40.28
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SW, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 42.69 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 44.91, below the 50-day MA of 44.43, and below the 200-day MA of 47.04, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.54 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.34 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 40.28 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for SW.

Smurfit Westrock Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$17.68B19.6120.51%2.59%8.98%25.81%
72
Outperform
$20.19B27.316.54%5.79%-2.29%24.05%
72
Outperform
$11.76B21.2220.64%1.02%2.07%32.37%
67
Neutral
$7.83B14.5421.42%1.73%-8.26%10.64%
63
Neutral
$22.76B66.132.91%3.65%
61
Neutral
$17.23B11.51-5.97%3.09%1.47%-15.79%
56
Neutral
$25.22B46.41-0.20%3.97%18.13%-106.71%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SW
Smurfit Westrock
42.69
1.18
2.84%
CCK
Crown Holdings
100.56
13.54
15.56%
IP
International Paper Co
46.60
1.18
2.60%
PKG
Packaging
193.42
1.58
0.82%
BERY
Berry Global Group
67.58
8.76
14.89%
AMCR
Amcor
8.73
-1.21
-12.17%

Smurfit Westrock Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Smurfit Westrock Reports Strong Q1 2025 Financial Results
Positive
May 1, 2025

On May 1, 2025, Smurfit Westrock announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, reporting net sales of $7,656 million and a net income of $382 million. The company highlighted its strong performance driven by operational and cultural integration across regions, with significant progress in North America. Smurfit Westrock is on track to achieve its synergy program goals and has announced strategic closures and investments to optimize its asset base and support growth. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4308 per share, payable on June 18, 2025.

Spark’s Take on SW Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, SW is a Neutral.

Smurfit Westrock’s overall score is driven by strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment. However, technical analysis suggests potential short-term challenges, and valuation metrics imply the stock might be overvalued. The company’s strengths include a stable financial foundation and strategic initiatives yielding synergies, but market momentum and high P/E ratio present cautionary signals.

To see Spark’s full report on SW stock, click here.

Business Operations and Strategy
Smurfit Westrock Announces Major Mill Closures
Negative
Apr 30, 2025

On April 30, 2025, Smurfit Westrock announced the permanent closure of its coated recycled board mill in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the discontinuation of production at its containerboard mill in Forney, Texas. Additionally, the company is consulting with local works councils in Germany to close two converting facilities. These closures will affect about 650 employees and reduce the company’s capacity by over 500,000 tons annually. The company anticipates incurring significant pre-tax charges related to severance and restructuring, with a substantial portion recognized in the second quarter of 2025. The closures are part of Smurfit Westrock’s strategy to align with current and future capacity needs and operational costs, while supporting affected employees through transitions.

Spark’s Take on SW Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, SW is a Neutral.

Smurfit Westrock’s overall score is driven by strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment. However, technical analysis suggests potential short-term challenges, and valuation metrics imply the stock might be overvalued. The company’s strengths include a stable financial foundation and strategic initiatives yielding synergies, but market momentum and high P/E ratio present cautionary signals.

To see Spark’s full report on SW stock, click here.

Executive/Board Changes
Smurfit Westrock Appoints Carole L. Brown to Board
Neutral
Mar 11, 2025

On March 10, 2025, Smurfit Westrock plc appointed Carole L. Brown as an independent director to its Board, effective March 11, 2025. Ms. Brown, who has a strong background in asset management and municipal finance, will also serve on the Audit and Sustainability Committees. Her appointment increases the Board size to 15 members, but it will revert to 14 after Dmitri L. Stockton steps down following the 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Dmitri Stockton Resigns from Smurfit Westrock Board
Neutral
Feb 28, 2025

On February 26, 2025, Dmitri Stockton announced his resignation from the Board of Directors of Smurfit Westrock plc, effective after the 2025 Annual General Meeting on May 2, 2025. His departure is not due to any disagreements with the company, and the Board expressed gratitude for his contributions during the company’s formative period following its merger.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: May 02, 2025