Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 08 2025
0mins
Should l Buy KRT?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Net Sales $124 million, up 10.1% from $112.6 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily driven by year-over-year volume growth of 13%, partially offset by $3.3 million in unfavorable pricing as chains and distributors growth outpaced online and retail channels.
Gross Profit $49.1 million, up 13.1% from $43.4 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin increased 110 basis points to 39.6% compared with 38.5% in the prior year quarter. The improvement was due to lower product costs as a percentage of net sales, more favorable vendor pricing and product mix, and reduction in depreciation expense as a percentage of net sales. These were partially offset by higher ocean freight and duty costs.
Operating Income $16.6 million, up 48.9% from $11.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by improved operating cost leverage and cost-saving measures, including a $1 million saving in online shipping and marketing by switching providers.
Net Income $11.1 million, up 19.8% from $9.2 million in the prior year quarter. Net income margin was 8.9% compared with 8.2% a year ago. The increase was supported by higher sales and improved cost management, despite a $2.9 million loss on foreign currency transactions.
Adjusted EBITDA $17.7 million, up from $15.7 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 14.3% of net sales compared with 13.9% for the prior year quarter. The improvement reflects better operational efficiency and cost management.
Operating Cash Flow $9.8 million in the second quarter. This reflects the company's ability to generate cash from its operations effectively.
Free Cash Flow $9.6 million in the second quarter, indicating strong cash generation after accounting for capital expenditures.
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Analyst Views on KRT
Wall Street analysts forecast KRT stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 25.720
Low
22.00
Averages
28.50
High
35.00
Current: 25.720
Low
22.00
Averages
28.50
High
35.00
About KRT
Karat Packaging Inc. is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of a range of disposable foodservice products and related items, primarily used by national and regional restaurants and in foodservice settings across the United States. The Company classifies its customers into four categories. Distributors include national and regional distributors across the United States that purchase their products and provide a channel to offer their products to restaurants, offices, schools, government entities and other end users. National and regional chains typically include fast casual, fast-food restaurants and supermarket chains with locations across multiple states to which they supply specified products. Retail primarily includes regional bubble tea shops and frozen yogurt shops that often purchase their specialty beverage ingredients and related items. E-commerce/Online includes small businesses, often with only one or two locations, as well as customers who purchase for personal use.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Karat Packaging Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.45
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Karat Packaging has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 7.03% makes this dividend particularly appealing in the current market environment, potentially enhancing the company's attractiveness in the capital markets and bolstering long-term investor confidence.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on February 27, with a record date of February 20 and an ex-dividend date also on February 20, providing shareholders with a clear timeline for financial planning and investment decisions.
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Despite the stable dividend, Karat Packaging was downgraded in BofA's rating changes, which may have a certain impact on market sentiment, prompting investors to monitor subsequent market reactions and changes in the company's fundamentals.
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Dividend Stocks Gain Favor Amid Market Turbulence
- Investor Preference: During turbulent and uncertain market conditions, many investors gravitate towards high-dividend-yielding stocks, which typically possess strong free cash flows that enable them to reward shareholders with substantial dividend payouts.
- Analyst Ratings: Benzinga offers the latest analyst ratings on high-yield stocks, allowing investors to review the most recent analyses of their favorite stocks by visiting the Analyst Stock Ratings page.
- Sector Focus: In the industrials sector, Karat Packaging Inc (NASDAQ:KRT), Robert Half Inc (NYSE:RHI), and Insperity Inc (NYSE:NSP) are highlighted as representative high-yield stocks, drawing attention from analysts.
- Data Support: Benzinga's extensive database includes a wide array of analyst ratings, enabling investors to sort through ratings based on analyst accuracy, thereby facilitating more informed investment decisions.
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Analyst Ratings Update for UPS, KRT, and RHI with Dividend Yields
- UPS Analyst Rating: JP Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck maintains a Neutral rating for UPS, raising the price target from $97 to $99, reflecting a 6.14% dividend yield and a 70% accuracy rate, indicating confidence in the company's stability.
- KRT Stock Rating Change: B of A Securities analyst George Staphos downgraded Karat Packaging from Buy to Underperform, cutting the price target from $27 to $22; despite a 7.21% dividend yield, the analyst's 53% accuracy suggests market concerns about its outlook.
- RHI Analyst Perspective: Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik keeps Robert Half at Equal-Weight, lowering the price target from $45 to $36; with an 8.33% dividend yield and a 73% accuracy rate, this reflects a cautious view on the company's future performance.
- Market Dynamics: In uncertain market conditions, investors are leaning towards high-dividend stocks, and Benzinga's real-time news alerts keep investors informed about the latest developments for UPS, KRT, and RHI to make more informed investment decisions.
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Robert Half Cuts Price Target to $36, Dividend Yield at 8.69%
- Analyst Rating Adjustment: Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintained an Equal-Weight rating on Robert Half while slashing the price target from $45 to $36, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future performance, which may impact investor confidence.
- Weak Earnings Report: On October 22, Robert Half posted quarterly results that fell short of expectations, exacerbating market concerns about its profitability and potentially affecting its stock price performance.
- Industry Dynamics: During turbulent market times, investors tend to gravitate towards high-dividend stocks, and Robert Half's 8.69% dividend yield attracts those seeking stable income; however, the company's declining performance may weaken its appeal.
- Market Reaction: The downgrade in price target by analysts may lead to negative market reactions towards Robert Half, further affecting investor confidence in the stock within the industrial sector.
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Transcript of Karat KRT Earnings Call for Q3 2025
- Author's Perspective: The views and opinions presented are solely those of the author.
- No Official Endorsement: The content does not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
See More
B of A Securities Lowers Karat Packaging Rating to Underperform and Reduces Price Target to $22
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers the fastest news alerts for traders to stay updated on market movements.
Exclusive Content: The platform provides exclusive stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters for its users.
Community Engagement: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, enhancing their trading strategies.
Market Winning Tools: Benzinga Pro is designed to help traders win in the markets every day with accurate stock market intelligence.
See More
Karat Packaging Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.45
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Karat Packaging has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 7.03% makes this dividend particularly appealing in the current market environment, potentially enhancing the company's attractiveness in the capital markets and bolstering long-term investor confidence.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on February 27, with a record date of February 20 and an ex-dividend date also on February 20, providing shareholders with a clear timeline for financial planning and investment decisions.
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Despite the stable dividend, Karat Packaging was downgraded in BofA's rating changes, which may have a certain impact on market sentiment, prompting investors to monitor subsequent market reactions and changes in the company's fundamentals.
See More
Dividend Stocks Gain Favor Amid Market Turbulence
- Investor Preference: During turbulent and uncertain market conditions, many investors gravitate towards high-dividend-yielding stocks, which typically possess strong free cash flows that enable them to reward shareholders with substantial dividend payouts.
- Analyst Ratings: Benzinga offers the latest analyst ratings on high-yield stocks, allowing investors to review the most recent analyses of their favorite stocks by visiting the Analyst Stock Ratings page.
- Sector Focus: In the industrials sector, Karat Packaging Inc (NASDAQ:KRT), Robert Half Inc (NYSE:RHI), and Insperity Inc (NYSE:NSP) are highlighted as representative high-yield stocks, drawing attention from analysts.
- Data Support: Benzinga's extensive database includes a wide array of analyst ratings, enabling investors to sort through ratings based on analyst accuracy, thereby facilitating more informed investment decisions.
See More
Analyst Ratings Update for UPS, KRT, and RHI with Dividend Yields
- UPS Analyst Rating: JP Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck maintains a Neutral rating for UPS, raising the price target from $97 to $99, reflecting a 6.14% dividend yield and a 70% accuracy rate, indicating confidence in the company's stability.
- KRT Stock Rating Change: B of A Securities analyst George Staphos downgraded Karat Packaging from Buy to Underperform, cutting the price target from $27 to $22; despite a 7.21% dividend yield, the analyst's 53% accuracy suggests market concerns about its outlook.
- RHI Analyst Perspective: Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik keeps Robert Half at Equal-Weight, lowering the price target from $45 to $36; with an 8.33% dividend yield and a 73% accuracy rate, this reflects a cautious view on the company's future performance.
- Market Dynamics: In uncertain market conditions, investors are leaning towards high-dividend stocks, and Benzinga's real-time news alerts keep investors informed about the latest developments for UPS, KRT, and RHI to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
Robert Half Cuts Price Target to $36, Dividend Yield at 8.69%
- Analyst Rating Adjustment: Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintained an Equal-Weight rating on Robert Half while slashing the price target from $45 to $36, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future performance, which may impact investor confidence.
- Weak Earnings Report: On October 22, Robert Half posted quarterly results that fell short of expectations, exacerbating market concerns about its profitability and potentially affecting its stock price performance.
- Industry Dynamics: During turbulent market times, investors tend to gravitate towards high-dividend stocks, and Robert Half's 8.69% dividend yield attracts those seeking stable income; however, the company's declining performance may weaken its appeal.
- Market Reaction: The downgrade in price target by analysts may lead to negative market reactions towards Robert Half, further affecting investor confidence in the stock within the industrial sector.
See More
Transcript of Karat KRT Earnings Call for Q3 2025
- Author's Perspective: The views and opinions presented are solely those of the author.
- No Official Endorsement: The content does not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
See More
B of A Securities Lowers Karat Packaging Rating to Underperform and Reduces Price Target to $22
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers the fastest news alerts for traders to stay updated on market movements.
Exclusive Content: The platform provides exclusive stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters for its users.
Community Engagement: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, enhancing their trading strategies.
Market Winning Tools: Benzinga Pro is designed to help traders win in the markets every day with accurate stock market intelligence.
See More
