Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does Clearwater Paper Corp Do?
Clearwater Paper Corporation manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products. The Pulp and Paperboard segment offers folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging products, top sheet and commercial printing items, and softwood pulp products, as well as custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting of paperboard products. It sells its products to packaging converters, folding carton converters, merchants, and commercial printers. The Consumer Products segment provides a line of at-home tissue products, including bath tissues, paper towels, facial tissues, and napkins; recycled fiber value grade products; and away-from-home tissues. This segment sells its products to retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and discount stores. Clearwater Paper Corporation was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) is classified as a micro-cap stock in the Industrials sector, specifically within the Business Supplies industry. The company is led by CEO Arsen S. Kitch and employs approximately 3,000 people, headquartered in Wilmington, Washington. With a market capitalization of $234M, CLW is one of the notable companies in the Industrials sector.
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) Stock Rating — Reduce (April 2026)
As of April 2026, Clearwater Paper Corp receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 36.9/100 and 2 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.CLW ranks #3,388 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Industrials sector, Clearwater Paper Corp ranks #583 of 752 stocks, placing it in the lower half of its Industrials peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
CLW Stock Price and 52-Week Range
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) currently trades at $14.88. The stock lost $0.40 (2.6%) in the most recent trading session. The 52-week high for CLW is $30.96, which means the stock is currently trading -51.9% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $12.79, putting the stock 16.3% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 174K shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.
Is CLW Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) carries a value factor score of 21/100 in the Blank Capital model, signaling premium valuation that prices in significant future growth. The price-to-book ratio stands at 0.28x, versus the sector average of 2.23x. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.15x, compared to 0.50x for the average Industrials stock.
At current multiples, Clearwater Paper Corp trades at a premium to most Industrials peers. This elevated valuation may be justified if the company can sustain above-average growth rates and profitability, but it also creates downside risk if earnings disappoint expectations.
Clearwater Paper Corp Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) earns a quality factor score of 48/100, signaling below-average profitability metrics relative to the broader market. The return on equity (ROE) is -6.2%, compared to the Industrials sector average of 8.9%, which is below typical expectations for high-quality companies. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at -3.2% versus the sector average of 3.3%.
On a margin basis, Clearwater Paper Corp reports gross margins of 8.3%, compared to 35.8% for the sector. The operating margin is -3.2% (sector: 6.2%). Net profit margin stands at -3.2%, versus 3.9% for the average Industrials stock. Revenue growth is running at 15.8% on a trailing basis, compared to 6.4% for the sector. Profitability is below benchmark levels, which may reflect industry headwinds, elevated reinvestment, or structural challenges.
CLW Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
Clearwater Paper Corp has a debt-to-equity ratio of 92.0%, compared to the Industrials sector average of 70.0%. Leverage is within a manageable range for the industry, though investors should monitor debt trends over time. The current ratio is 2.43x, indicating strong short-term liquidity. Total debt on the balance sheet is $336M. Cash and equivalents stand at $34M.
CLW has a beta of 0.81, meaning it is roughly in line with the broader market in terms of price volatility. The stability factor score for Clearwater Paper Corp is 51/100, reflecting average volatility within the normal range for its sector.
Clearwater Paper Corp Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, Clearwater Paper Corp reported revenue of $1.56B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-1.15. Net income for the quarter was $-51M. Gross margin was 8.3%. Operating income came in at $-51M.
In FY 2025, Clearwater Paper Corp reported revenue of $1.56B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-1.15. Net income for the quarter was $-19M. Gross margin was 7.4%. Revenue grew 12.4% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $-42M.
In Q3 2025, Clearwater Paper Corp reported revenue of $399M and earnings per share (EPS) of $-3.30. Net income for the quarter was $-53M. Gross margin was 4.7%. Revenue grew 1.4% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $-55M.
In Q2 2025, Clearwater Paper Corp reported revenue of $392M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.17. Net income for the quarter was $3M. Gross margin was 11.0%. Revenue grew 13.8% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $10M.
Over the past 8 quarters, Clearwater Paper Corp has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $344M to $1.56B. Investors analyzing CLW stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
CLW Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) does not currently pay a dividend. This is common among smaller companies in the Business Supplies industry that prefer to reinvest cash flows into business expansion rather than returning capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors looking for Industrials dividend stocks may want to explore other Industrials stocks or use the stock screener to filter by dividend yield.
CLW Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) has a momentum factor score of 21/100, signaling weak relative price performance. Stocks with low momentum scores have historically tended to continue underperforming in the near term. The investment factor score is 27/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 64/100 reflects moderate short selling activity.
CLW vs Competitors — Industrials Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Within the Industrials sector, Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) ranks #583 out of 752 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places CLW in the lower half of all Industrials stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include South Bow Corp (SOBO) with a score of 56.5/100, TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LTD (TEN) with a score of 61.4/100, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock CORP (GLDD) with a score of 56.7/100, Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (TPH) with a score of 57.3/100, and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO) with a score of 52.2/100.
Comparing CLW against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full CLW vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how Clearwater Paper Corp stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
CLW Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy CLW? — Investment Thesis Summary
The quantitative profile for Clearwater Paper Corp suggests caution. The value score of 21/100 indicates premium valuation. Momentum is weak at 21/100, a headwind for near-term performance.
In summary, Clearwater Paper Corp (CLW) earns a Reduce rating with a composite score of 36.9/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on CLW stock.
Related Resources for CLW Investors
Explore more research and tools: CLW vs S&P 500 comparison, top Industrials stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare CLW head-to-head with peers: CLW vs SOBO, CLW vs TEN, CLW vs GLDD.