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CLW Stock Forecast: Clearwater Paper Corp. Price Predictions for 2026-2027

Last close, 18 Sept 2026
$21
−0.52% on the day

The 4 Wall Street analysts covering Clearwater Paper Corp. hold a median 12-month price target of $21 — -1.9% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 65 of 100 as at 19 Sept 2026 — in the upper half.

Market cap
$336.9M
Ticker Nerd rank
65 / 100
Median analyst target
$21
Analysts covering
4
Revenue$374.8M−4.3% y/y
Operating income−$32.6M
Net income−$21.5M
Free cash flow$59.4M
Quarterly, 8 quarters to 30 June 2026 · latest quarter's figure shown
Total return, dividends reinvested
1W
+3.2%
1M
+1.1%
YTD
+20.1%
1Y
−4.1%
From 52W high
−10.4%
From 52W low
+67.9%
$12
$23
52-week range, adjusted closes · the dot is the last close
Ticker Nerd rank

CLW stock analysis: one number for the whole business

Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores Clearwater Paper Corp. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.

Where the model ranks itAs at 19 Sept 2026
65 / 100

Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested

Accruals
92
Revisions
81
Growth
68
Size
59
Momentum
55
Issuance
52
Value
34
Volatility
32
Quality
19

Accruals (92): Reported profit is backed by cash, and the company is not expanding recklessly.

Quality (19): Profits are thin or unreliable for the size of the business, or they are not turning into cash.

Built and run by Aslam Ghouse, an ex-Goldman Sachs quant trader with fourteen years in markets.

Wall Street

CLW stock forecast 2026-2027: analyst price targets & predictions

The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on CLW, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.

Share price and the analyst range, 12 monthsAdjusted close, US dollars
$12$14$16$18$20$22$24$26Oct 25Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26CLWHigh $25Median $21Low $20

Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

Data provided by Twelve Data

What Wall Street says4 analysts
1 Buy3 Hold0 Sell
Low $20Median $21High $25

The green dot is the last close — the median target sits −1.9% from it.

Recent analyst actionsNewest first
DateFirmActionRatingTarget
11 Sept 2026B of A SecuritiesMaintainsNeutral$24 → $25
15 July 2026Truist SecuritiesMaintainsHold—
15 July 2026Truist SecuritiesMaintainsHold$12 → $17
2 July 2026B of A SecuritiesInitiatesNeutral$19
2 July 2026B of A SecuritiesInitiatesNeutral—
29 Apr 2026RBC CapitalMaintainsOutperform—
29 Apr 2026Truist SecuritiesReiteratesHold—
15 Apr 2026Truist SecuritiesMaintainsHold—
20 Feb 2026RBC CapitalMaintainsOutperform—
19 Feb 2026Truist SecuritiesMaintainsHold—
20 Jan 2026Truist SecuritiesInitiatesHold—
29 Oct 2025RBC CapitalMaintainsOutperform—
22 Sept 2025TD CowenInitiatesBuy—
30 July 2025RBC CapitalMaintainsOutperform—
18 Feb 2025RBC CapitalReiteratesOutperform—
5 Nov 2024RBC CapitalReiteratesOutperform—
21 Oct 2024RBC CapitalReiteratesOutperform—
18 Oct 2024RBC CapitalUpgradeOutperform—
7 Aug 2024RBC CapitalMaintainsSector Perform—
30 Apr 2024RBC CapitalMaintainsSector Perform—

Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

Market Radar

This page is one stock. Monday covers all of them.

Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.

Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. CLW appears on the weeks it earns a place.

Free, every Monday. Unsubscribe any time.

Performance

CLW vs the S&P 500

Both lines are total return — dividends reinvested — so the comparison is honest on both sides.

Over the twelve months to 18 Sept 2026, Clearwater Paper Corp. returned −4.1% against +16.3% for the S&P 500, dividends included.

CLW vs S&P 500, last 12 monthsTotal return, rebased to 100
60708090100110120Oct 25Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26CLWS&P 500

Download this chart as an image — free to reuse; link this page as the source.

Data provided by Twelve Data

Estimates

CLW analyst estimate revisions

Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.

Which way the estimates are movingNext fiscal year
Analysts raising
3
Analysts cutting
0
Fundamentals

Clearwater Paper Corp. (CLW) financial data

A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.

Valuation
Trailing P/E
1332.5×

Cheaper than 1% of US stocks

Price / sales
0.2×

Cheaper than 92% of US stocks

Price / book
0.4×

Cheaper than 86% of US stocks

EV / EBITDA
24.2×

Cheaper than 11% of US stocks

Growth & margins
Revenue growth (YoY)
−4.3%

Higher than 21% of US stocks

Earnings growth (YoY)
−4.3%

Higher than 31% of US stocks

Gross margin
−2.8%

Higher than 4% of US stocks

Operating margin
−10.4%

Higher than 24% of US stocks

Net margin
−3.2%

Higher than 26% of US stocks

Returns & dividend
Return on equity
−10.4%

Higher than 35% of US stocks

Return on assets
−2.7%

Higher than 35% of US stocks

Dividend yield
—

Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.

Key statistics

Clearwater Paper Corp. (CLW) statistics: revenue, profit & scale

The headline figures, each with its date. Every row carries its own link — cite it straight from here.

  • Clearwater Paper Corp. has a market value of $336.9M and an enterprise value of $614.6M.

  • Revenue in the twelve months to 30 June 2026: $1.5B. The latest quarter shrank 4.3% year on year.

  • Net income over the same four quarters: −$49.2M, a −3.2% net margin.

  • Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months: $−3.04.

  • Free cash flow in the twelve months to 30 June 2026: $56.6M.

  • Clearwater Paper Corp. spent $2.2M on share buybacks in the twelve months to 30 June 2026.

  • Shares outstanding: 16.1M.

  • Trailing P/E: 1332.5×; forward P/E: −23.8× — the forward figure prices analyst consensus estimates, not reported earnings.

  • Clearwater Paper Corp. employs 1,900 people — $800K of revenue per employee.

Statement figures: company filings via Twelve Data, four quarters to 30 June 2026 · market figures as at 19 Sept 2026

Data provided by Twelve Data

Peers

CLW vs competitors

The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.

Its peer group, ranked by the same modelPaper & Paper Products
CompanyMarket capTKN rank
CLWClearwater Paper Corp.$336.9M
65
SLVMSylvamo Corp.$1.4B
20
MERCMercer International, Inc.$25.3M
8
LZMLifezone Metals Ltd.*$347.9M
4
VGZVista Gold Corp.*$322.3M
30
OECOrion SA*$321.7M
60
MNTKMontauk Renewables, Inc.*$320.1M
47

* Nearest Basic Materials names by size — few paper & paper products companies of this scale trade in the US universe.

Look up any of the roughly 4,600 stocks we score.

The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own Clearwater Paper Corp. — and when they’d sell — is the membership. See the Ticker Nerd 20 →

News

Latest CLW news & analysis

Clearwater Paper: Pricing, Supply Tightening And Lower Net Debt Support The Recovery Case

Seeking Alpha · 11 Sept 2026positive

Clearwater Paper's second-quarter profitability remained weak, but improved industry utilization, lower imports, and two announced price increases point to a healthier supply-demand balance. The company also cited cost savings, positive free cash flow, and reduced net debt as strengthening its balance sheet despite ongoing operating pressure.

Why it matters — For CLW watchers, the pricing increases, improving industry conditions, and lower net debt support a recovery case for the company despite continued weak operating profitability.

Clearwater Paper Releases 2026 Sustainability Report Highlighting Progress and Achievements

Business Wire · 8 Sept 2026positive

Clearwater Paper released its 2026 Sustainability Report, providing an annual update on progress toward its multiyear sustainability goals. The report details efforts across three pillars—Resource Stewardship, Trusted Products, and Thriving People and Communities—under the company's Everyday Responsibility strategic framework.

Why it matters — The report allows investors and stakeholders to track Clearwater Paper's progress and achievements on its stated sustainability commitments and strategic framework.

3 Paper and Related Products Stocks to Watch Amid Industry Challenges

Zacks Investment Research · 1 Sept 2026neutral

Zacks Investment Research reports an uncertain near-term outlook for the Paper and Related Products industry and lists CLW, along with MONDY and KLBAY, as stocks facing these industry headwinds.

Why it matters — A CLW watcher would care because the report highlights that Clearwater Paper is operating amid an uncertain industry environment and persistent headwinds.

Clearwater Paper Q2 Earnings Call Highlights

MarketBeat · 29 July 2026negative

Clearwater Paper reported a second-quarter net loss from continuing operations of $21 million, or $1.33 per diluted share. The loss was driven by lower market pricing and a major maintenance outage, which outweighed higher shipment volumes and insurance recoveries.

Why it matters — CLW watchers would care because the company swung to a net loss despite higher shipment volumes, signaling that pricing pressure and operational disruptions are materially impacting earnings.

Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Seeking Alpha · 28 July 2026neutral

Clearwater Paper Corporation held its Q2 2026 earnings call, as covered by Seeking Alpha's transcript.

Why it matters — A CLW watcher would care because the earnings call provides direct insight into the company's quarterly financial performance and operational outlook.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about CLW stock

What is the CLW stock price forecast for 2026-2027?

The 4 Wall Street analysts covering Clearwater Paper Corp. have a median 12-month price target of $21, with estimates ranging from $20 to $25. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

Is CLW stock a buy right now?

Of the 4 analysts covering Clearwater Paper Corp., 1 rate it a Buy, 3 a Hold and 0 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks Clearwater Paper Corp. 65 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 19 Sept 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.

How does Ticker Nerd's model rank CLW?

As at 19 Sept 2026, Clearwater Paper Corp. ranks 65 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Accruals (92 of 100).

Will CLW stock go up?

No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 4 analysts implies -1.9% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks Clearwater Paper Corp. 65 out of 100 as at 19 Sept 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.

What is the CLW stock forecast for 2030?

No analyst covering Clearwater Paper Corp. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for CLW are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $20 to $25 over the next 12 months.

How has CLW stock performed over the past year?

Clearwater Paper Corp. returned -4.1% over the 12 months to 18 Sept 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.

What does Clearwater Paper Corp. do?

Clearwater Paper Corporation is a paperboard packaging company that manufactures and supplies solid bleached sulfate paperboard for converters and commercial customers. Clearwater Paper Corporation’s products are used in folding cartons, food service packaging, liquid packaging, cups, plates, blister and carded packaging, top sheet applications, and commercial printing.

What is the latest news on CLW?

The most recent item we track (Seeking Alpha, 11 Sept 2026): "Clearwater Paper: Pricing, Supply Tightening And Lower Net Debt Support The Recovery Case". Clearwater Paper's second-quarter profitability remained weak, but improved industry utilization, lower imports, and two announced price increases point to a healthier supply-demand balance. The company also cited cost savings, positive free cash flow, and reduced net debt as strengthening its balance sheet despite ongoing operating pressure.

Company

About Clearwater Paper Corp.

Clearwater Paper Corporation is a paperboard packaging company that manufactures and supplies solid bleached sulfate paperboard for converters and commercial customers. Clearwater Paper Corporation’s products are used in folding cartons, food service packaging, liquid packaging, cups, plates, blister and carded packaging, top sheet applications, and commercial printing. The company also provides custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting services to support packaging production and finishing needs. Its paperboard business serves North American and international markets, with a focus on packaging converters, printers, and food service applications. Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, Clearwater Paper Corporation is a specialized supplier within the paper and packaging industry, where paperboard quality, consistency, and processing capabilities are important to downstream manufacturers.

CEO Mr. Arsen S. Kitch · 1,900 employees · United States · https://www.clearwaterpaper.com