Smurfit WestRock plc logo

Smurfit WestRock plc(SW)

upturn advisory logo
EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$43.42
11/03/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for SW

11/03/2026: SW (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Smurfit WestRock plc is a global leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging, formed by the recent combination of two major industry players. The company holds a significant, integrated position in the corrugated and consumer packaging markets, benefiting from secular trends toward plastic alternatives. Its main growth opportunity lies in realizing operational synergies and expanding its combined global footprint. However, investors face risks related to integration complexity, high leverage, and sensitivity to cyclical demand and commodity prices. It may best suit long-term investors focused on industrial leadership, though developments in debt reduction and synergy targets should be closely monitored by potential stakeholders.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is driven by synergy execution rather than pure market expansion.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is conditional on the successful integration of the legacy businesses.
Value investorStrong fitThe valuation reflects the potential long-term benefits of the merger synergies.
Dividend investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe company has committed to shareholder distributions through dividends.
Low-risk investorMixed fitPost-merger integration risks create short-term volatility.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highCommodity paper prices directly impact revenue and margins.
Valuation riskMediumThe stock valuation hinges on synergy realization targets.
Competition risk (Packaging competition)Medium / highIntense competition from major players like IP and PKG limits pricing power.
Business qualityStrongThe combined entity holds a leading and diversified global market position.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are subject to the company's capital allocation and debt reduction priorities.
Execution riskHighThe successful integration of global operations is critical for long-term value creation.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -16.48%
Avg. Invested days 36
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/03/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
SW receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
SW has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, strong growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+127.0%) and strong revenue growth (+53.0%) are partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.8%), soft profitability (net margin 2.2%), very low insider ownership of 0.51%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
SW's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $1.2B (3.8% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is SW's strongest growth driver at +6958.8% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). Revenue growth (+53.0%, strong) and earnings growth (+127.0%, strong) are also constructive, though not equally high across every growth measure.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 102.6% and approximately 99.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.51%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.67%
Capital Research Global Investors 8.13%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.53%
State Street Corp 5.35%
Nuveen, LLC 4.73%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
SW generates approximately $194 of gross profit, $71 of operating income, and $38 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Soft margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 27.11%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
SW has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 22.76B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 47.69
1Y Target Price 54.3
Price to earnings Ratio 47.69
1Y Target Price 54.3
Volume (30-day avg) 4.8M shares
Beta 0.94
52 Weeks Range 31.79 - 51.52
Updated Date 11/03/2026
52 Weeks Range 31.79 - 51.52
Updated Date 11/03/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 4.15%
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.91

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Corrugated PackagingDesign and manufacture of corrugated boxes and displays.This is the primary way the company makes money, selling boxes to retailers and e-commerce firms.
Consumer PackagingFolding cartons and specialty food-service packaging.A steady revenue stream serving consumer staples like food and personal care.
Geography (Global)Operations across Europe and North America.The company operates as a global entity, balancing demand cycles across different geographic regions.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-28
When Before Market
Estimate 0.6
Actual 0.45

Profitability

Profit Margin 1.5%
Operating Margin (TTM) 6.38%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 2.4%
Return on Equity (TTM) 2.57%

Valuation

Trailing PE 47.69
Forward PE 12.72
Enterprise Value 35.93B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.72
Enterprise Value 35.93B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.72
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.14
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.14
Shares Outstanding 524.53M
Shares Floating 520.62M
Shares Outstanding 524.53M
Shares Floating 520.62M
Percent Insiders 0.51
Percent Institutions 102.64

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.