📊 KRT Key Takeaways
Is Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT) a Good Investment?
Karat Packaging exhibits strong financial health with solid 10.7% revenue growth and a fortress balance sheet (0.24x D/E, 2.29x current ratio), but operational performance deteriorates as net income declines 3.6% despite revenue expansion, signaling margin compression. Low returns (4.6% ROE, 2.4% ROA) and thin operating margins (7.2%) reflect a mature, commodity-like business with limited profit-generation capability despite financial stability.
Karat Packaging shows double-digit revenue growth with healthy margins, strong ROE/ROA, low leverage, and excellent interest coverage, translating into solid free cash flow. Despite a slight YoY dip in net income, cash generation and a strong balance sheet indicate resilient fundamentals and capacity to reinvest or return capital.
Karat Packaging Inc. Key Strengths (KRT)
- Double-digit revenue growth (10.7% YoY) demonstrates market demand
- Fortress balance sheet with low leverage (0.24x D/E) and strong liquidity (2.29x current ratio, $28.7M cash)
- Exceptional interest coverage (16.2x) and minimal financial distress risk
- Capital-light model with minimal CapEx ($565K) generating positive free cash flow ($6.6M)
- Healthy gross margin (35.5%) on core business
- Double-digit revenue growth with resilient 36.8% gross margin
- Strong profitability and returns (8.9% operating margin, 21.1% ROE) on modest leverage
- Robust liquidity and FCF (7.1% margin) with minimal capex
KRT Stock Risks: Karat Packaging Inc. Investment Risks
- Net income declining 3.6% YoY despite 10.7% revenue growth indicates severe margin compression and pricing pressure
- Anemic profitability returns (ROE 4.6%, ROA 2.4%) suggest structurally weak economics and poor capital allocation
- Thin operating (7.2%) and net (5.8%) margins typical of commoditized products with low pricing power
- Zero insider Form 4 filings in 90 days suggests lack of management confidence in company prospects
- Margin contraction may signal inability to pass cost inflation to customers in competitive market
- Margin pressure from input cost volatility and competitive pricing (net income down YoY)
- Working capital/inventory intensity could weigh on cash conversion
- Regulatory and ESG headwinds for single-use plastics impacting demand or mix
Key Metrics to Watch
- Gross margin trend (monitoring for continued compression)
- Operating margin expansion/contraction (key profitability indicator)
- Net income growth relative to revenue growth (checking for sustainable profit quality)
- Free cash flow generation and capital efficiency (verifying cash conversion capability)
- Operating margin
- Free cash flow conversion (OCF/Net income)
Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
Strong liquidity with a 2.29x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.
KRT Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
KRT vs Materials Sector: How Karat Packaging Inc. Compares
How Karat Packaging Inc. compares to Materials sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Karat Packaging Inc. Stock Overvalued? KRT Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Karat Packaging Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Materials sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Karat Packaging Inc. Balance Sheet: KRT Debt, Cash & Liquidity
KRT Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Karat Packaging Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 28% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $1.49 reflects profitable operations.
KRT Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
KRT Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $103.6M | $6.4M | $0.32 |
| Q3 2025 | $112.8M | $7.3M | $0.36 |
| Q2 2025 | $112.6M | $9.1M | $0.45 |
| Q1 2025 | $95.6M | $6.2M | $0.31 |
| Q3 2024 | $105.5M | $9.1M | $0.45 |
| Q2 2024 | $108.7M | $9.1M | $0.45 |
| Q1 2024 | $95.6M | $6.2M | $0.31 |
| Q3 2023 | $105.5M | $6.1M | $0.31 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Karat Packaging Inc. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
KRT SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Karat Packaging Inc. (CIK: 0001758021)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about KRT
What is the AI rating for KRT?
Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT) has a Combined AI Grade of A from Claude (B) and ChatGPT (A) with 68% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are KRT's key strengths?
Claude: Double-digit revenue growth (10.7% YoY) demonstrates market demand. Fortress balance sheet with low leverage (0.24x D/E) and strong liquidity (2.29x current ratio, $28.7M cash). ChatGPT: Double-digit revenue growth with resilient 36.8% gross margin. Strong profitability and returns (8.9% operating margin, 21.1% ROE) on modest leverage.
What are the risks of investing in KRT?
Claude: Net income declining 3.6% YoY despite 10.7% revenue growth indicates severe margin compression and pricing pressure. Anemic profitability returns (ROE 4.6%, ROA 2.4%) suggest structurally weak economics and poor capital allocation. ChatGPT: Margin pressure from input cost volatility and competitive pricing (net income down YoY). Working capital/inventory intensity could weigh on cash conversion.
What is KRT's revenue and growth?
Karat Packaging Inc. reported revenue of $116.9M.
Does KRT pay dividends?
Karat Packaging Inc. pays dividends, with $9.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find KRT SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Karat Packaging Inc. (CIK: 0001758021) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is KRT's EPS?
Karat Packaging Inc. has a diluted EPS of $0.34.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is KRT's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, Karat Packaging Inc. has a A grade with 68% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.
Is KRT stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for KRT: ROE of 4.6% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 5.8% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is KRT's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Karat Packaging Inc. a combined A grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is KRT's free cash flow?
Karat Packaging Inc.'s operating cash flow is $7.2M, with capital expenditures of $565.0K. FCF margin is 5.7%.
How does KRT compare to other Materials stocks?
Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin 5.8% (avg: 10%), ROE 4.6% (avg: 14%), current ratio 2.29 (avg: 1.6).