Gateway Investment Advisers LLC Boosts Stock Position in Smurfit Westrock Ltd (NYSE:SW)

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC grew its stake in Smurfit Westrock Ltd (NYSE:SW - Free Report) by 4.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 149,888 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 6,973 shares during the quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in Smurfit Westrock were worth $8,073,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SW. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Smurfit Westrock by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 14,189 shares of the company's stock valued at $764,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its stake in Smurfit Westrock by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 12,394 shares of the company's stock worth $668,000 after purchasing an additional 1,035 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,075,000. Moody National Bank Trust Division bought a new position in Smurfit Westrock during the 4th quarter worth $739,000. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new position in Smurfit Westrock in the 4th quarter valued at $253,000. 83.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Smurfit Westrock Stock Performance

Shares of SW traded up $0.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $52.95. The company had a trading volume of 2,722,620 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,665,020. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 294.20 and a beta of 1.03. Smurfit Westrock Ltd has a 52 week low of $38.55 and a 52 week high of $56.99. The stock's 50-day moving average is $53.55.

Smurfit Westrock Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th were given a dividend of $0.3025 per share. This represents a $1.21 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 15th. Smurfit Westrock's payout ratio is currently 672.26%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on SW shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Smurfit Westrock from $53.00 to $50.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Argus initiated coverage on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a report on Thursday, December 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Smurfit Westrock from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Smurfit Westrock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $60.56.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Saverio Mayer sold 25,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.84, for a total value of $1,371,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 149,911 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,221,119.24. This trade represents a 14.29 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Smurfit Westrock

Smurfit 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.