Packaging Corporation of AmericaPKGNYSE
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DCF Valuation

DCF Valuation Summary
Sell
Base Case: $197.36 per share
-19.9%
Upside to Target
Bear Case
$147.28
Base Case
$197.36
Current
$246.31
Bull Case
$268.63
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
Cost of Equity (CAPM)
Risk-Free Rate (Rf)4.50%
Beta (β)0.90
Market Risk Premium4.50%
*Using current implied premium (4.5% per Damodaran 2026), not historical (6.5%)
Cost of Equity (Re)8.54%
Cost of Debt
Pre-tax Cost of Debt2.86%
Tax Rate24.68%
After-tax Cost of Debt2.16%
Equity Weight (E/V)91.03%
Debt Weight (D/V)8.97%
WACC Calculation
WACC = (E/V × Re) + (D/V × Rd × (1-Tc))
WACC = (91.03% × 8.54%) + (8.97% × 2.16%)
= 7.97%
10-Year Free Cash Flow Projections(showing years 1, 3, 5, 7, 10)
YearYear 1Year 3Year 5Year 7Year 10
Revenue$10.0B$10.8B$11.5B$12.2B$13.2B
EBIT$1.4B$1.5B$1.6B$1.7B$1.9B
Tax$352M$379M$404M$427M$463M
NOPAT$1.1B$1.2B$1.2B$1.3B$1.4B
+ Depreciation$523M$562M$600M$634M$687M
- Capex$668M$718M$767M$810M$879M
- Δ NWC$183M$47M$54M$57M$61M
Free Cash Flow$746M$951M$1.0B$1.1B$1.2B
Discount Factor0.9260.7950.6820.5850.465
Present Value$691M$756M$691M$625M$539M
FCF Formula: Free Cash Flow = NOPAT + Depreciation - Capex - Change in Net Working Capital
Terminal Value Calculation
Perpetuity Growth Method
Year 10 FCF$1.2B
Terminal Growth Rate4.77%
WACC7.97%
TV = FCF₁₀ × (1+g) / (WACC-g)
Terminal Value$38.0B
PV of Terminal Value$17.7B
Exit Multiple Method
Year 10 EBITDA$2.6B
Exit Multiple (EV/EBITDA)15.5x
TV = EBITDA₁₀ × Exit Multiple
Terminal Value$39.7B
PV of Terminal Value$18.4B
Valuation Summary
Perpetuity Growth Method
PV of Projected FCFs$6.6B
PV of Terminal Value$17.7B
Enterprise Value$24.2B
(-) Net Debt$2.1B
Equity Value$22.2B
Shares Outstanding$114M
Price per Share$193.99
Exit Multiple Method
PV of Projected FCFs$6.6B
PV of Terminal Value$18.4B
Enterprise Value$25.0B
(-) Net Debt$2.1B
Equity Value$22.9B
Shares Outstanding$114M
Price per Share$200.72
Base Case Fair Value
$197.36
Average of perpetuity growth and exit multiple methods
Sensitivity AnalysisPrice per Share
WACC ↓ / Growth →3.77%4.27%4.77%5.27%5.77%
5.97%$307.90$327.76$315.86$304.50$293.66
6.97%$207.44$239.52$286.19$304.50$293.66
7.97%$156.07$172.47$193.99$223.49$266.41
8.97%$125.34$134.94$146.82$161.91$181.73
9.97%$105.20$111.31$118.60$127.44$138.38
How to read: This table shows how the valuation changes with different WACC (discount rate) and terminal growth rate assumptions. Green = undervalued, Red = overvalued.
Scenario Analysis
Bear Case
$147.28
-40.2% vs current
  • -25% vs analyst consensus
  • Terminal growth: 4.3%
  • Beta: 1.12
Base Case
$197.36
-19.9% vs current
  • Analyst consensus
  • Terminal growth: 4.8%
  • Beta: 0.90
Bull Case
$268.63
9.1% vs current
  • +25% vs analyst consensus
  • Terminal growth: 5.3%
  • Beta: 0.76
Key Assumptions & DriversConsumer Cyclical Sector
Growth Assumptions (Select Years)
Year 1 Revenue Growth11.77%
Year 3 Revenue Growth2.59%
Year 5 Revenue Growth2.75%
Year 7 Revenue Growth2.75%
Year 10 Revenue Growth2.75%
Terminal Growth Rate4.77%
Margin & Efficiency
EBIT Margin14.20%
Tax Rate24.68%
Capex / Revenue6.65%
NWC / Revenue17.34%
Key Drivers: Revenue growth, operating margin expansion, capex efficiency, and working capital management are the primary drivers of cash flow generation. Terminal value assumptions significantly impact final valuation.
Institutional-Grade Methodology
Actual Company Data: Revenue, EBIT, Capex, NWC, Tax Rate, Interest Expense, Beta
Market Assumptions: Risk-free: 4.5% (10Y), MRP: 4.5% (Damodaran 2026), Exit: 18x EV/EBITDA (S&P 500: 22x P/E)
This DCF model is for informational purposes only. Projections are based on assumptions that may not materialize. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.