Institutional Giants Bet Big on Avery Dennison Amid Dividend Adjustment

Shares of Avery Dennison are undergoing a predictable technical decline on December 3, 2025. This movement is a standard market adjustment for the stock trading ex-dividend. However, this routine price correction belies a more compelling narrative unfolding behind the scenes: a surge of investment from heavyweight institutional funds, spearheaded by Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

The significant institutional interest is grounded in the company's recent financial performance. For Q3 2025, Avery Dennison reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.37, surpassing analyst consensus estimates of $2.32. Quarterly revenue reached $2.22 billion. This operational strength highlights the firm's capacity to deliver consistent cash flows and return capital to shareholders, evidenced by an annual dividend yield of approximately 2.2%.

Norges Bank Leads a Wave of "Smart Money"

Recent regulatory filings reveal a substantial influx of institutional capital. The most notable move came from Norges Bank, the Norwegian central bank managing the Government Pension Fund Global. During the second quarter of 2025, the fund established a massive new position, acquiring 994,046 shares valued at roughly $174.43 million. This stake represents about 1.27% of the company.

This bullish sentiment is echoed by other major investment entities:
* Korea Investment CORP boosted its holdings by 23.9%, bringing its total to 57,167 shares.
* Edgestream Partners L.P. initiated a new position worth $7.58 million.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Avery Dennison?

Collectively, institutional investors now control an estimated 94.17% of the company's outstanding shares—a powerful indicator of professional confidence.

Looking Beyond the Dividend Date

With the ex-dividend date now passed, the immediate technical downward pressure related to the $0.94 per share payout has been absorbed by the market. Investor focus shifts to upcoming catalysts. Company guidance projects Q4 2025 EPS in the range of $2.35 to $2.45. The dividend payment itself will be distributed on December 17, 2025.

The critical question for markets is whether Avery Dennison can meet the heightened expectations of its powerful new stakeholders. The stage is set for the next major price move, and the world's most influential investors have already taken their positions.