GEF
Consumer CyclicalGreif, Inc. · Packaging & Containers · $3B
What is Greif, Inc.?
Greif, Inc. is a global industrial packaging company serving manufacturers and distributors across dozens of industries. Headquartered in Delaware, it supplies the containers, drums, and paperboard products that keep industrial supply chains moving.
Greif generates revenue through three segments: Global Industrial Packaging, Paper Packaging & Services, and Land Management. The industrial packaging arm produces steel, fiber, and plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, and closure systems sold to chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and food-and-beverage customers worldwide. The paper segment manufactures containerboard, corrugated sheets, and recycled paperboard used in automotive, grocery, and furniture shipping. A smaller Land Management segment rounds out the portfolio.
Greif was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Delaware, US.
- Steel, fiber, and plastic industrial drums
- Rigid and flexible intermediate bulk containers
- Containerboard and corrugated packaging products
- Recycled paperboard and recycled fiber
- Container life cycle management and logistics services
Is GEF a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates GEF as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.
Valuation stands out as the relative bright spot in Greif's profile — the stock appears attractively priced compared to many sector peers. Risk and Quality both land at Neutral, suggesting the business is not in acute distress and maintains a degree of operational stability.
Moat and Growth are both rated Weak, indicating limited competitive differentiation and little evidence of durable revenue or earnings expansion — two factors that weigh heavily on long-term compounding potential.
Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to see exactly where Greif scores across all five dimensions. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does GEF pay dividends?
Yes — Greif, Inc. pays a dividend.
Greif pays a regular dividend, which is consistent with its position as a mature industrial packaging company generating relatively predictable cash flows. The dividend reflects management's commitment to returning capital to shareholders even in a cyclical sector. Income-oriented investors may find this cadence appealing, though the overall UQS profile warrants careful review alongside the yield.
When does GEF report earnings?
Greif reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
The company's recent results reflect the broader pressures facing industrial packaging — including input cost volatility and softer demand in key end markets. Growth and Moat pillar ratings suggest these trends have weighed on the fundamental trajectory.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Greif's official investor relations page.
GEF Price History
+30.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Greif, Inc.?
Based on Greif, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
GEF Long-term Outlook
Greif's fundamental outlook is tempered by Weak Growth and Weak Moat ratings, pointing to limited near-term catalysts for meaningful earnings expansion. The Neutral Risk rating suggests the business is unlikely to face severe near-term disruption, but the absence of a strong competitive moat makes sustained outperformance difficult to project. The Attractive Valuation label does indicate the market may already be pricing in much of the downside, which could limit further drawdown risk.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in industrial end-market demand across chemicals and agriculture
- Expansion of container life cycle and logistics service revenues
- Paperboard demand tied to e-commerce and consumer goods shipping
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat leaves pricing power vulnerable in a commoditized market
- Input cost volatility in steel, fiber, and resin can compress margins
- Cyclical demand swings in industrial and packaging end markets
GEF vs Peers
Greif operates in a competitive industrial and paper packaging landscape alongside several well-capitalized peers.
Graphic Packaging focuses primarily on consumer-facing paperboard packaging, giving it exposure to more branded, consumer-staples-adjacent demand than Greif's industrial-heavy mix.
Winpak specializes in flexible and rigid packaging for perishable food and healthcare products, operating in higher-margin niches compared to Greif's broad industrial drum and containerboard business.
Ardagh Metal Packaging concentrates on aluminum beverage cans, making it more exposed to the beverage industry cycle than Greif's diversified industrial and paper segments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Greif do?
Greif produces and sells industrial packaging products — including steel, fiber, and plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, and corrugated paperboard — to customers in chemicals, agriculture, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other industries worldwide. It also offers container management and logistics services.
Does GEF pay dividends?
Yes, Greif pays a regular dividend. The company has maintained a dividend program consistent with its profile as a mature, cash-flow-generating industrial business. Investors seeking income should review the current yield and payout history on Greif's investor relations page for the latest figures.
When does GEF report earnings?
Greif reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. Specific upcoming report dates are not covered by our data source — check Greif's investor relations page or a financial calendar for the next scheduled release.
Is GEF a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates GEF as Below Average, driven by Weak Moat and Weak Growth ratings. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, which may appeal to value-oriented investors, but the limited competitive differentiation and growth outlook are meaningful considerations. Pro members can access the full breakdown to make a more informed assessment.
Is GEF overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, GEF is currently rated Good — suggesting the stock is not overvalued relative to sector peers and may in fact be attractively priced. This is one of the stronger elements of Greif's overall profile, though it should be weighed against the weaker Quality dimensions.
How does GEF compare to its competitors?
Greif competes with packaging companies like Graphic Packaging, Winpak, and Ardagh Metal Packaging. Each peer focuses on different packaging substrates and end markets. Greif's broad industrial and paper packaging mix differentiates it, though its Weak Moat rating suggests it lacks a strong pricing or structural advantage over rivals.
What is GEF's market cap bracket?
Greif is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that typically offers more liquidity than small-caps while remaining more nimble than large-cap industrial conglomerates, though mid-caps can be more sensitive to economic cycles.
Who founded Greif?
Greif's roots trace back to a cooperage business with a long operating history in industrial packaging. The company's founding context and leadership history are publicly documented — Greif's official website and corporate history page provide a detailed account of its origins.
Is GEF a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, GEF's Below Average UQS Score — driven by Weak Moat and Weak Growth — raises questions about durable compounding potential. The Neutral Risk and Good Valuation ratings provide some balance, but long-term investors typically prioritize moat strength and growth trajectory when evaluating holding-period quality.
What is the main competitive advantage of Greif?
Greif's scale across global industrial packaging and its container life cycle management services create some customer stickiness. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the commoditized nature of drums and containerboard and the limited pricing power that comes with it.
What sector does GEF belong to?
Greif is classified in the Consumer Cyclical sector, reflecting its sensitivity to industrial production cycles and end-market demand. When manufacturing activity slows, demand for industrial packaging and containerboard tends to soften, making Greif's revenues somewhat tied to broader economic conditions.
Is GEF a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, GEF leans toward value territory — the Valuation pillar is rated Good while Growth is rated Weak. This profile is more consistent with a value or income-oriented holding than a growth stock, particularly given the limited near-term earnings expansion signals.
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Pro Analysis
GEF — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 39.8 | 42.6 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 58.2 | 77.9 | +0.3 |
| May 13, 2026 | 39.5 | 42.6 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 58.2 | 75.5 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 39.4 | 42.6 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 58.2 | 75.2 | +0.8 |
| May 7, 2026 | 38.6 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 48.8 | 76.8 | -0.1 |
| May 4, 2026 | 38.7 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 48.8 | 77.6 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 38.8 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.3 | 48.8 | 77.8 | 0.0 |
| May 2, 2026 | 38.8 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.3 | 48.8 | 78.0 | -0.3 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 39.1 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.9 | 48.8 | 79.3 | +0.3 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 38.8 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.8 | 48.8 | 77.2 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 38.8 | 44.0 | 19.0 | 20.8 | 48.8 | 76.8 | +0.1 |
GEF — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 42.6/100 (25%)Greif, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 20.0/100 (20%)Greif, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 58.2/100 (15%)Greif, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 76.6/100 (15%)Greif, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 19/100 (25%)Greif, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for GEF.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the GEF UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Greif, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Greif, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Greif, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.