tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Smurfit Westrock (SW)
NYSE:SW

Smurfit Westrock (SW) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
161 Followers

Top Page

SW

Smurfit Westrock

(NYSE:SW)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$48.00
▲(4.58% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/12/26
The score is primarily held back by weaker current profitability/returns and mixed cash-conversion quality despite improved cash flow. This is partly offset by constructive technical momentum and a generally positive earnings-call outlook with clear EBITDA/FCF and deleveraging targets, though execution risks (volumes, downtime, energy) remain. Valuation is a modest headwind due to the higher P/E, partially balanced by the dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
Smurfit Westrock's sizable operating cash flow and >$1.5B annual adjusted free cash flow indicate durable internal funding to cover maintenance capex, pay dividends and reduce leverage. Reliable cash generation supports strategic investments and capital returns over the medium term if sustained.
Synergy and integration execution
Outperforming synergy targets demonstrates effective post‑merger integration and cost discipline, unlocking structural margin improvement. Realized synergies de‑risk merger economics, improve ROCE, and create a sustainable base for future margin expansion across the larger footprint.
Clear medium-term plan & stronger credit
A detailed 2026–2030 plan plus an investment‑grade upgrade provide a framework for disciplined capital allocation, expected deleveraging and predictable returns. Credible targets align management incentives with long‑term ROCE improvement and support lower funding costs if execution holds.
Negative Factors
Low profitability and ROE
Margins and returns are substantially below prior years, indicating persistent pricing, cost or mix pressure. Low ROE limits reinvestment efficiency and shareholder return capacity, making margin recovery essential for sustainable credit metrics and investment returns over the medium term.
Weak cash conversion
Low cash conversion implies high reinvestment, working capital volatility or integration outflows, constraining ability to rapidly deleverage or fund growth organically. Persistently weak conversion reduces flexibility to execute buybacks or accelerate debt paydown without sacrificing capex plans.
North America volume decline & restructuring costs
Significant lost NA volume, proactive contract shedding and recurring mill downtime indicate structural demand and utilization headwinds. These reduce fixed‑cost absorption and can persistently depress margins and cash flow until volumes or higher‑value mix recover.

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 primarily through the sale of packaging products, including corrugated containers, boxboard, and paper-based materials. Key revenue streams include direct sales to manufacturers and retailers in various industries, with a significant focus on e-commerce and food sectors. The company benefits from long-term contracts with major customers, ensuring a stable revenue base. Additionally, partnerships with logistics companies enhance their value proposition by providing integrated solutions. The emphasis on sustainability also attracts clients looking for eco-friendly packaging options, further contributing to its earnings.

Smurfit Westrock Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 11, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed a broadly positive outlook: management reported record adjusted EBITDA and strong cash generation, achieved and exceeded synergy targets, strengthened the balance sheet (Fitch upgrade), and presented a detailed medium-term plan with clear targets (USD 7B EBITDA by 2030, USD 14B FCF 2026–2030). At the same time, meaningful near-term operational challenges remain — notably North American volume declines, mill downtime costs (~USD 85M in Q4; USD 220M for the year), plant closures (La Tuque), and energy headwinds — all of which add execution risk. Overall, the positives (record earnings, cash flow, integration progress, credible 2030 plan, capital return commitments and credit upgrade) outweigh the lowlights, but success depends on execution on volume recovery, value-selling in North America, and managing cost/energy pressures.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Annual Adjusted EBITDA and Strong Quarterly Result
Smurfit Westrock reported a record adjusted EBITDA of USD 4.939 billion for FY2025 and USD 1.172 billion for Q4. The company stated this is the largest outturn by any packaging company globally.
Robust Cash Generation
Adjusted free cash flow was USD 679 million in the quarter and over USD 1.5 billion for the full year. The medium-term plan targets approximately USD 14 billion of adjusted free cash flow from 2026–2030 (17% CAGR).
Solid Margins and Regional Outperformance
Group adjusted margin was 15.5% for the quarter and similar for the year. Regional performance: North America adjusted EBITDA USD 651 million with 14.7% margin; Europe adjusted EBITDA USD 438 million with margins >16%; Latin America adjusted EBITDA >USD 130 million with margins >24%.
Balance Sheet Improvements and Credit Upgrade
Company reduced leverage to 2.6x net debt/EBITDA (moving toward a target of 2.0x), successfully refinanced debt (next maturity pushed to 2028) with average interest rate ~4.64%, and received a Fitch upgrade to BBB+.
Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
Dividend increased by 5% in the quarter. Medium-term plan expects approximately USD 5 billion in dividends through 2026–2030 and contemplates share buybacks beginning in 2027, subject to Board approval.
Synergies and Integration Progress
Integration exceeded initial synergy target of USD 400 million. The company highlighted successful refinancing, system optimization, and achievement of synergy targets during the first full year of combined operations.
Medium-Term Ambition: Clear Financial Targets to 2030
Plan targets USD 7 billion adjusted EBITDA by 2030 (~7% CAGR), margin expansion to ~19% (+~300 basis points), approximately USD 13 billion cumulative CapEx through 2030 (USD 9B maintenance, USD 4B growth), and ~700 bps improvement in ROCE to ~15%.
Commercial and Innovation Capabilities
Emphasis on Design2Market digital/AI tools (ShelfSmart AI, SupplySmart Analyzer, Innobook, Paper-to-Box AI), 34+ experience centers and 2,000+ designers to accelerate value-selling, with near 50% success rate for new business initiatives highlighted as a commercial strength.
Negative Updates
North American Volume Decline and Loss-Making Contracts
A sharp fall in North American volumes was reported. The company identified ~1.2 billion square meters of lost business in NA (about half already replaced), and has deliberately shed low-margin/loss-making contracts to improve profitability.
Downtime and Associated Costs
Proactive mill downtime negatively impacted results: Q4 downtime cost ~USD 85 million, and full-year downtime accounted for ~USD 220 million, reflecting lower utilization and adjustment to weaker demand.
Market & Operational Headwinds
Management highlighted difficult market conditions (weak late-quarter orders, weather disruptions) and cautioned that pricing is not baked into guidance; company expects energy to be a net negative (~USD 60–70 million headwind in 2026) while fiber is a ~USD 50 million tailwind.
Ongoing Portfolio Optimization and Plant Closure
Announced closure of the SBS machine in La Tuque, Quebec as part of portfolio optimization — underscores required structural changes and potential short-term costs from footprint adjustments.
Leverage Still Above Long-Term Target
Net leverage ended FY2025 at ~2.6x, above the stated target of <2.0x, implying continued focus required on deleveraging despite progress and a BBB+ upgrade.
Uncertainty Around Volume and Pricing Assumptions
Guidance and the medium-term plan assume conservative market growth (NA 1.6%, Europe 1.7%, LatAm 2%) and do not include upside from potential price increases in North America, leaving some execution risk tied to volumes and pricing dynamics.
Company Guidance
Management guided Q1 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $1.1–$1.2 billion and full‑year 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $5.0–$5.3 billion, and laid out a medium‑term plan targeting $7.0 billion adjusted EBITDA by 2030 (≈7% CAGR) with group margin expansion to ~19% (≈+300 bps from ~16%), ~$14 billion of adjusted free cash flow in 2026–2030 (adjusted FCF CAGR ~17%), and ROCE improvement of ~700 bps to ~15%; the plan contemplates $13 billion total CapEx (≈$2.4–2.8B/yr) — $9B maintenance and $4B growth — while returning roughly $5.0B in dividends over the period and commencing buybacks from 2027, targeting net leverage <2.0x (vs. 2.6x at year‑end, net debt ≈$13B) and retaining investment‑grade (Fitch BBB+), with region targets of North America rising from ~$3.0B to ~$4.2B EBITDA (20%+ margin), EMEA to ~$2.1B (~16%+ margin) and LatAm to ~$800M (≈28% margin) by 2030; near‑term assumptions include no baked‑in North American paper price increases, market growth assumptions (NA 1.6%, EMEA 1.7%, LatAm 2%), ~$40–50M incremental synergies in 2026, a ~$60–70M energy headwind and ~$50M fiber tailwind, and expected Q4 downtime cost of ~$85M (full‑year downtime ≈$220M).

Smurfit Westrock Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income statement shows strong TTM revenue growth but materially weaker profitability versus 2021–2023 (net margin ~2.4%, EBIT margin ~5.8%). Balance sheet leverage is moderate (debt-to-equity ~0.77) but ROE is low (~4.2%), limiting flexibility. Cash flow rebounded (OCF ~$3.39B; FCF ~$1.2B) yet cash conversion is weak (~27% of net income flowing to FCF), implying reinvestment/working-capital pressure.
Income Statement
68
Positive
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue is $29.4B with solid growth (up ~104% vs 2024), but profitability is modest: net margin is ~2.4% and EBIT margin is ~5.8%. Margins and earnings are materially below 2021–2023 levels (when net margins were ~6–8% and EBIT margins ~10–13%), suggesting weaker pricing/cost mix and/or integration pressure despite the much larger revenue base.
Balance Sheet
63
Positive
Leverage looks moderate based on debt-to-equity of ~0.77 in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), broadly in line with recent years. The key weakness is low profitability on the equity base (return on equity ~4.2% TTM vs double-digit levels in 2021–2023), which reduces balance-sheet flexibility even if headline leverage is not extreme.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Cash generation improved meaningfully in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months): operating cash flow rose to ~$3.39B and free cash flow to ~$1.2B (strong growth vs 2024). However, cash conversion remains a concern—only ~27% of net income is showing up as free cash flow in TTM, and cash flow coverage metrics are weaker than 2020–2023, pointing to higher reinvestment needs and/or working-capital volatility.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue28.27B20.38B10.95B12.62B10.48B
Gross Profit5.49B4.05B2.77B3.06B2.35B
EBITDA4.20B2.74B1.79B2.13B1.57B
Net Income659.72M307.93M747.28M965.65M704.64M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets45.16B43.76B14.05B12.46B11.70B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments892.00M855.00M1.00B785.41M854.32M
Total Debt346.00M13.60B4.13B3.74B3.75B
Total Liabilities26.80B26.37B7.88B7.47B7.31B
Stockholders Equity15.60B17.36B6.16B4.98B4.38B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.02B17.00M630.00M503.00M468.06M
Operating Cash Flow2.89B1.48B1.56B1.43B1.17B
Investing Cash Flow-1.82B-2.11B-931.00M-1.02B-1.19B
Financing Cash Flow-1.10B607.00M-479.00M-431.00M-16.55M

Smurfit Westrock Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price45.90
Price Trends
50DMA
42.21
Positive
100DMA
39.84
Positive
200DMA
41.64
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.95
Positive
RSI
51.73
Neutral
STOCH
32.75
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SW, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 45.9 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 45.73, above the 50-day MA of 42.21, and above the 200-day MA of 41.64, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.95 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 51.73 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 32.75 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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
$21.51B27.852.42%7.23%-3.88%
71
Outperform
$13.36B18.0425.61%1.01%2.94%893.70%
68
Neutral
$23.89B34.543.92%4.21%
66
Neutral
$17.77B20.0916.17%1.53%2.87%
64
Neutral
$23.19B33.077.73%6.20%28.41%-35.50%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
49
Neutral
$23.24B-6.56-24.51%4.69%33.71%-517.99%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SW
Smurfit Westrock
45.90
-4.99
-9.81%
BALL
Ball
66.52
15.72
30.94%
CCK
Crown Holdings
115.85
28.95
33.31%
IP
International Paper Co
44.02
-9.03
-17.02%
PKG
Packaging
228.89
21.49
10.36%
AMCR
Amcor
50.18
1.44
2.95%

Smurfit Westrock Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Smurfit Westrock Issues Senior Notes for Refinancing
Positive
Nov 24, 2025

On November 21 and 24, 2025, Smurfit Westrock‘s subsidiaries issued $800 million and €500 million in senior notes, respectively, to refinance existing debts and support general corporate purposes, including sustainable projects. These financial moves are part of Smurfit Westrock’s strategy to optimize its financial structure and align with its Green Finance Framework, potentially enhancing its market position and stakeholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (SW) stock is a Buy with a $51.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Smurfit Westrock stock, see the SW Stock Forecast page.

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: Feb 12, 2026