Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) Stock Analysis

Why this analysis is different

• A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
• An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
• Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.

Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) Materials & Commodity Exposure

Clearwater Paper Corporation, a key player in the Basic Materials sector, manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards and consumer tissues. With a focus on Pulp and Paperboard and Consumer Products segments, the company serves diverse markets including packaging converters and retail distributors across the United States and internationally.

What Is the Investment Thesis for CLW?

Clearwater Paper Corporation presents a mixed investment thesis. The company's established presence in the paperboard and tissue markets provides a stable revenue base, however, a negative profit margin of -1.6% raises concerns about profitability. The company's low beta of 0.22 suggests lower volatility compared to the broader market. Key growth catalysts include potential expansion in the consumer products segment and operational efficiencies. Investors should monitor the company's ability to improve profitability and manage costs effectively. The company's market capitalization is $318M as of 2026-05-10.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

CLW Key Highlights

Market capitalization of $318M indicates the company's current valuation in the market.

• Negative profit margin of -1.6% signals potential challenges in achieving profitability.
• Gross margin of 5.1% reflects the company's efficiency in managing production costs.
• Beta of 0.22 suggests lower volatility compared to the broader market, potentially appealing to risk-averse investors.
• The company operates in two segments: Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products, diversifying its revenue streams.

Who Are CLW's Competitors?

CLW is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance This table mixes two scoring engines — compare a number only with others carrying the same tag.

What Are CLW's Key Strengths?

Established presence in the paperboard and tissue markets.

• Diversified product portfolio catering to various customer segments.
• Vertically integrated operations providing cost control.
• Long-standing relationships with key customers.

What Are CLW's Weaknesses?

Negative profit margin indicating profitability challenges.

• Exposure to fluctuations in raw material costs.
• Limited geographic diversification.
• Dependence on the North American market.

What Could Drive CLW Stock Higher?

Implementation of cost reduction programs to improve profitability.

• Expansion of the consumer products segment through new product launches.
• Potential strategic partnerships with retailers and distributors.
• Introduction of sustainable and eco-friendly paper products.

What Are the Key Risks for CLW?

Negative return on equity (-7.3%) — the business is not currently generating profit on shareholder capital.

• Fluctuations in raw material costs, such as pulp and energy.
• Increasing competition from other paper manufacturers.
• Economic downturns affecting demand for paper products.
• Changes in environmental regulations impacting production costs.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for CLW?

• Expansion in Consumer Products Segment: Clearwater Paper can expand its market share in the consumer products segment by introducing innovative and sustainable tissue products. The global tissue paper market is projected to reach $90 billion by 2028, presenting a substantial growth opportunity. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Operational Efficiencies: Implementing advanced manufacturing technologies and supply chain optimization can improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. A 5% reduction in operating costs could significantly improve the company's profit margin. Timeline: 1-2 years.
• Strategic Partnerships: Forming strategic partnerships with retailers and distributors can enhance market access and distribution capabilities. Securing exclusive supply agreements with major retail chains could drive revenue growth. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Product Diversification: Diversifying into specialty paper products, such as packaging for the food and beverage industry, can open new revenue streams. The specialty paper market is growing due to increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Timeline: 2-3 years.
• Geographic Expansion: Expanding into new geographic markets, particularly in Asia and Latin America, can drive long-term growth. These regions have a growing demand for paper and tissue products due to increasing urbanization and disposable incomes. Timeline: 3-5 years.

What Are CLW's Competitive Advantages?

• Established Manufacturing Capabilities: Clearwater Paper has established manufacturing facilities and expertise in producing paperboard and tissue products.
• Customer Relationships: The company has long-standing relationships with key customers in the packaging and retail sectors.
• Product Diversification: Clearwater Paper offers a diversified range of products, catering to different customer needs and market segments.
• Vertically Integrated Operations: The company's vertically integrated operations provide control over the supply chain and cost structure.

What Does CLW Do?

Clearwater Paper Corporation, incorporated in 2005 and headquartered in Spokane, Washington, operates as a manufacturer and supplier of bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues, both domestically and internationally. The company is structured into two primary segments: Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products. The Pulp and Paperboard segment provides a range of products, including folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging products, top sheet and commercial printing items, and softwood pulp products. This segment also offers custom services such as sheeting, slitting, and cutting of paperboard products, catering to packaging converters, folding carton converters, merchants, and commercial printers. The Consumer Products segment focuses on at-home tissue products, including bath tissues, paper towels, facial tissues, and napkins, as well as recycled fiber value grade products and away-from-home tissues. These products are sold to retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and discount stores. Clearwater Paper aims to provide quality paper products to a wide array of customers.

What Products and Services Does CLW Offer?

• Manufactures bleached paperboards for packaging and printing applications.
• Produces consumer tissue products, including bath tissues, paper towels, and napkins.
• Offers parent roll tissues for conversion into various tissue products.
• Provides recycled fiber value grade products for environmentally conscious consumers.
• Supplies softwood pulp products for paper manufacturing.
• Offers custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting of paperboard products.

How Does CLW Make Money?

• Manufactures and sells pulp and paperboard products to packaging converters, merchants, and commercial printers.
• Produces and distributes consumer tissue products to retailers and wholesale distributors.
• Generates revenue through product sales and custom service offerings.
• Focuses on both branded and private-label products to cater to diverse customer needs.

What Industry Does CLW Operate In?

Clearwater Paper Corporation operates within the paper, lumber, and forest products industry, which is influenced by factors such as raw material costs, environmental regulations, and consumer demand for paper and tissue products. The industry is competitive, with companies vying for market share through product innovation, cost efficiency, and customer relationships. Market trends include a growing emphasis on sustainable and recycled products. Clearwater Paper competes with other paper manufacturers and suppliers, including Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation (HYMC), focusing on specific niches within the broader market.

Who Are CLW's Key Customers?

• Packaging converters who use paperboard for creating various packaging solutions.
• Folding carton converters who specialize in producing folding cartons.
• Merchants and commercial printers who require paper for printing applications.
• Retailers, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and discount stores, who sell consumer tissue products.
• Wholesale distributors who supply tissue products to various end-users.

Company Profile

Clearwater Paper Corporation operates in the Paper, Lumber & Forest Products industry within the Basic Materials sector. It is headquartered in Spokane, US. The company is led by CEO Arsen S. Kitch. CLW has traded publicly since 2008.

Return on equity for Clearwater Paper Corporation stands at -7.3%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -0.6%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. A current ratio of 2.60 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations.

CLW Valuation & Market Position

With a $318M market cap, Clearwater Paper Corporation sits in the small-cap segment of the market. Analyst price targets span from $17.00 to $21.00, with a consensus of $19.33. At the current price of $19.69, that implies roughly 2% downside from the consensus target. Relative to its peer group, CLW's quantitative score of 57/100 is above the peer average of 46/100.

Quarterly Financial Performance: Clearwater Paper Corporation

Revenue for Clearwater Paper Corporation came in at $374.8M during Q2 FY2026, a 4.0% improvement versus the preceding quarter. The company recorded a net loss of $21.5M, with diluted EPS of $-1.33. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a small-cap company operating in Basic Materials. Across the four most recent quarters, CLW averaged $-0.76 in diluted EPS.

Clearwater Paper Corporation's Piotroski F-Score is 5/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 2.01 places it in the grey zone, a middle ground that warrants monitoring.

Clearwater Paper Corporation has beaten Wall Street's EPS estimate in 4 of its last 8 reported quarters — more hits than misses. Reported results have landed about 92.7% below estimates on average.

Over the past six months, Clearwater Paper Corporation insiders filed 14 SEC Form 4 transactions — 3 sales and 11 purchases. On net that is roughly 75K shares acquired (about $919K) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.

CLW Financials

CLW Latest News

CLW Analyst Consensus

CLW MoonshotScore

Latest Clearwater Paper Corporation Analysis

CLW Basic Materials Stock FAQ

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Official Resources