Greif, Inc., known by its ticker GEF, recently had its rating adjusted to Equal-Weight by Wells Fargo analyst Gabe Hajde on January 6, 2026. The new price target of $72 suggests a modest upside potential, given the current stock price of $69.56. This rating change provides investors with a clearer view of how the market perceives Greif’s financial health and investment viability moving forward.
Recent Price Action
In recent trading sessions, Greif’s stock has displayed an intriguing mix of stability and volatility. Currently priced at $69.56, GEF is only slightly off its 52-week high of $71.44, reflecting a robust market performance despite broader economic uncertainties. Over the last week, the stock has experienced modest fluctuations, closing with a change of 0.065, translating into a gain of approximately 0.09%. Trading volume stood at 46,396 shares, showcasing lower interest compared to the average volume of 226,958 shares. With a market capitalization of $3.29 billion and a beta of 0.975, GEF exhibits characteristics suggestive of reduced volatility relative to the broader market, positioning it as a core holding for risk-averse investors.
Historical Performance
Examining Greif’s performance over various timeframes highlights the stock’s resilience amid changing market dynamics. Over the past 30 days, the stock has returned 6.65%, while quarterly performance shows an impressive 15.17% increase. In context, the broader market has faced pressures from fluctuating interest rates and inflationary concerns. Year-to-date returns, while uncalculated in the provided data, must align against these averages for the year. Weekly volatility has been recorded at 2.21%, marginally higher than the monthly volatility of 2.18%. These figures suggest that, despite some price adjustments, GEF has managed to maintain investor interest with robust trading volume averaging around 212,329 shares over the last 10 days.
Earnings Analysis
Earnings results reveal a stark contrast in expectations versus outcomes for Greif. Recently, the company reported EPS of $0.01, falling significantly short of the estimated $0.61, resulting in an alarming surprise rate of -98.36%. This current disappointment follows a stronger performance in the previous quarter, where the company posted EPS of $1.03 against an estimated $0.81, exceeding expectations by 27%. Such fluctuations raise questions concerning the company’s earning predictability and financial management, likely weighing on investor sentiment and contributing to the cautious outlook expressed by analysts.
Consensus Ratings
Analyst sentiment around Greif reflects a measured approach. The most recent consensus rating from Wells Fargo assigns GEF an Equal-Weight, consistent with a balanced view of the stock’s current standing. Notably, out of four total ratings, two are categorized as Buy and two as Hold, with no Sell recommendations present. The average price target of $71.50 is slightly below the new $72 target set by Hajde, indicating that while there is room for upside, analysts are mindful of the recent earnings shortfall. Additionally, the wide range between the highest price target of $79 and the lowest of $67 lends an air of uncertainty surrounding the stock’s future performance.
Stock Grading or Fundamental View
The Stocks Telegraph Grade for Greif (GEF) is presently at 50, suggesting a middle-ground evaluation of the company’s overall investment profile. This score aggregates various financial metrics and market analyses to determine that, while Greif displays some strengths, significant areas require improvement. The grade indicates that investors should be cautious but still consider GEF as a viable small-cap option within a diversified portfolio.
Conclusion
For investors evaluating Greif, Inc., GEF presents a blend of moderate upside potential with associated risks. The company appears suitable for those interested in a defensive play or moderate growth investment given the recent neutral rating and performance. However, the significant earnings miss reflects fundamental challenges that merit close scrutiny. As the market continues to adapt, Greif is certainly a stock worth watching, particularly for investors with a long-term perspective who can weather the volatility inherent in its financial journey.