Sealed Air Corp.
is a global leader in protective packaging materials and solutions within the plastics industry. The company is best known for its flagship Cryovac food packaging and Bubble Wrap cushioning products, focusing on sustainability and product protection.
Updated: January 14, 2026, 16:00 EST
Technical Perspective SEE has demonstrated impressive momentum, significantly outperforming the market over the past three months. However, the stock is now trading near its 52-week high and appears overbought, suggesting a potential pause or pullback may be due. Its high beta and substantial historical drawdown confirm it remains a volatile holding, requiring a strong risk tolerance.
Fundamental Assessment The company shows stable core operations with modest revenue growth and a recent spike in profitability, though this was aided by a tax benefit. Financially, SEE maintains a conservative debt level but faces moderate liquidity constraints. While return on equity is strong, operational efficiency metrics indicate room for improvement in asset and inventory management.
Valuation & Risk Outlook Valuation sends mixed signals: very attractive forward earnings metrics contrast with premium asset-based multiples, though the lack of peer data makes context difficult. The primary concern is volatility, with the stock being significantly more turbulent than the market, exposing investors to larger price swings.
Based on the analysis, a cautious buy recommendation is warranted for investors with a higher risk appetite. The strong recent performance and attractive forward P/E and PEG ratios suggest underlying value, particularly if operational efficiencies improve. However, the current overbought technical level and high volatility mean investors should consider a disciplined entry point, perhaps on a pullback, and be prepared for potential short-term turbulence. This is not investment advice, for reference only.
Based on the comprehensive analyst provided, SEE presents a nuanced opportunity for investors comfortable with above-average volatility. Over the next 12 months, SEE's outlook appears cautiously optimistic but hinges critically on operational execution given its technical overbought status.
Key Catalysts: Continued execution on operational efficiency gains could sustain momentum if market conditions remain favorable. However, without meaningful improvements in asset and inventory management, growth may stall.
Potential Risks: The stock's high beta and near-term overbought condition make it vulnerable to a sharp pullback should market sentiment shift suddenly. Volatility remains the primary concern for investors.
Target Price Range: Given the technical overextension and valuation mixed signals, expecting a trading range between $$38-$$48 appears reasonable, contingent on broader market stability.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about SEE's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $41.82, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, SEE has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
SEE has delivered exceptionally strong performance characterized by a significant recent rally, though it remains a volatile stock as evidenced by its high beta.
The stock has dramatically outperformed the market over the past three months with a substantial 19.34% gain, significantly outpacing the broader market by nearly 16 percentage points, while its one-month performance has been nearly flat, suggesting a potential pause or consolidation after the steep ascent.
Currently trading near the top of its 52-week range at approximately 94% of its high, the price appears to be in an overbought territory, especially considering the substantial 32.88% maximum drawdown experienced over the past year highlights its inherent volatility despite the strong recovery.
| Period | SEE Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | -0.4% | +1.3% |
| 3m | +23.9% | +5.7% |
| 6m | +28.9% | +10.6% |
| 1y | +21.3% | +16.5% |
| ytd | +0.7% | +1.1% |
Revenue & Profitability SEE demonstrated modest revenue growth in Q3 2025 to $1.35 billion, up from $1.34 billion in Q2. Profitability showed volatility, with the net income ratio jumping to 13.7% in Q3 from 7.0% in Q2, largely driven by a significant income tax benefit that boosted bottom-line results despite slightly lower gross margins. Operating income remained relatively stable, indicating core operations performed consistently.
Financial Health The company maintains a conservative debt profile with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25 and solid interest coverage of 3.3 times. Operating cash flow generation appears adequate, with a cash flow to debt ratio of 0.56, though the quick ratio of 0.75 suggests moderate liquidity constraints that warrant monitoring for meeting short-term obligations.
Operational Efficiency SEE delivered a robust return on equity of 15.6%, supported by a high equity multiplier of 5.95, indicating effective use of leverage. However, operational efficiency metrics show room for improvement, with asset turnover of just 0.19 and inventory turnover of 1.15, suggesting slower conversion of assets into sales. The 48-day cash conversion cycle reflects moderate working capital management efficiency.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardValuation Level: SEE appears to show conflicting valuation signals based on different metrics. The forward P/E of just under 7 and an exceptionally low PEG ratio of 0.07 suggest significant undervaluation relative to expected earnings growth. However, the elevated PB ratio of 5.14 and high EV/EBITDA of 22.2 point to premium valuation on asset and cash flow bases, creating a mixed overall picture.
Peer Comparison: A comprehensive peer comparison cannot be provided as industry average data is unavailable. This limits the ability to contextualize SEE's valuation metrics against sector benchmarks. Consequently, the assessment of whether SEE trades at a premium or discount to its industry peers remains indeterminate without this critical comparative framework.
Volatility Risk: SEE exhibits elevated volatility risk, with a beta of 1.364 indicating it is approximately 36% more volatile than the broader market. This is corroborated by a significant one-year maximum drawdown of -32.88%, highlighting substantial downside price fluctuations.
Other Risks: While the absence of significant short interest suggests limited pessimism from bearish investors, reliance on a singular risk indicator is insufficient. Liquidity, concentration, and macroeconomic factors affecting its industrial packaging end-markets remain key areas for further due diligence.
Bullish for takeover arbitrageurs, neutral for long-term investors. The overwhelming driver is the $10.3 billion acquisition offer at a significant premium, providing a clear near-term upside if the deal closes. However, the stock is already trading near its 52-week high on this news, and fundamental metrics like high volatility and mixed valuation signals limit its appeal as a standalone investment. This is primarily suitable for investors seeking to capitalize on the merger arbitrage opportunity, assuming they accept the associated deal-completion risks.
Based on the valuation metrics provided, SEE stock appears undervalued.
Key valuation metrics indicate potential undervaluation: * Forward P/E of ~7 is low, suggesting the market prices earnings cheaply. * PEG ratio of 0.07 is exceptionally low, signaling the stock price does not reflect its earnings growth potential. * However, a P/B ratio of 5.14 is high, indicating a premium on its book value.
The primary reason for the undervaluation signal is the significant disconnect between the company's earnings growth expectations and its current stock price, as highlighted by the extremely low PEG ratio. While the high P/B ratio suggests the market values its assets generously, the compellingly low earnings-based metrics (P/E and PEG) outweigh this concern, pointing toward an undervalued opportunity.
Based on the provided information, here are the key risks of holding SEE stock, ordered by importance:
1. Market Price Volatility: The stock carries high volatility risk, evidenced by a beta of 1.36 and a steep 32.88% maximum drawdown, making it susceptible to sharp price declines that may not align with broader market movements. 2. Industry / Macroeconomic Exposure: As an industrial packaging company, SEE's performance is inherently tied to the health of its industrial end-markets, making it vulnerable to economic downturns that reduce manufacturing and shipping activity. 3. Operational Inefficiency: The company exhibits weak operational efficiency with a low asset turnover of 0.19 and a slow inventory turnover of 1.15, indicating it struggles to generate sales from its asset base and manage inventory effectively. 4. Short-Term Liquidity Constraint: While financially healthy overall, SEE has a quick ratio of 0.75, indicating a potential challenge in covering its immediate short-term obligations without selling inventory or raising new capital.
Based on SEE's current trajectory, our forecast through 2026 hinges on its ability to improve operational efficiency.
Target Price & Growth Drivers: We project a base case target range of $45-$50, with a bull case of $55-$60+ contingent on successful execution. Key growth drivers include: (1) acceleration in asset and inventory turnover, (2) sustainable improvement in core operating margins excluding one-time benefits, and (3) stable market demand that supports its high-ROE, leveraged model.
Assumptions & Uncertainty: This forecast assumes management successfully addresses operational bottlenecks and maintains its conservative debt structure. The primary uncertainty lies in the stock's high volatility (beta) and the sustainability of its profitability, which was recently inflated by non-recurring tax benefits; failure to deliver on operational improvements could see the stock languish near the lower end of its recent trading range.