Since August 25 last year when global packaging giant Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) released its full year results, Amcor's share price has gained 2.4%.
That's a respectable performance considering the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has declined by 2.4% over the same time period.
Despite the relative outperformance, shareholders are no doubt disappointed that the share price isn't trading even higher however they have been compensated to some degree by a trailing unfranked dividend yield of 4% (based on the current share price of $12.80).
At the time of Amcor's full year results management provided the following comments regarding the outlook for the 2016 financial year (FY16):
"Outlook for the Flexibles business is for modest constant currency earnings growth, with a challenging first half comparative period", and, "the outlook for the Rigid Plastics business is for solid growth in earnings."
Then at the group's Annual General Meeting in October 2015, the Managing Director made the following comment:
"For the business groups, the key message this morning is that the performance in the first quarter is consistent with the expectations we outlined in August and there are no changes to the outlook statements. The company has had a good start to the year and we remain confident of delivering increased earnings in the 2016 financial year, in constant currency terms."
While Amcor has chosen not to provide specific guidance figures, analysts have of course drawn their own conclusions and forecast their own expectations. Based on consensus data provided by Morningstar, Amcor is expected to report earnings per share of 78.1 cents for the full year which implies a price-to-earnings ratio of around 16 times.
With Amcor scheduled to report its interim results on February 17, the market will be looking for further confirmation that FY16 consensus estimates remain achievable.
