The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how industrial packaging stocks fared in Q4, starting with Ball (NYSE:BALL).
Industrial packaging companies have built competitive advantages from economies of scale that lead to advantaged purchasing and capital investments that are difficult and expensive to replicate. Recently, eco-friendly packaging and conservation are driving customers preferences and innovation. For example, plastic is not as desirable a material as it once was. Despite being integral to consumer goods ranging from beer to toothpaste to laundry detergent, these companies are still at the whim of the macro, especially consumer health and consumer willingness to spend.
The 7 industrial packaging stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9%.
Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.7% on average since the latest earnings results.
Best Q4: Ball (NYSE:BALL)
Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE:BLL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.
Ball reported revenues of $3.35 billion, up 16.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 7.3%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.
"We closed the year with a strong fourth quarter where across our businesses we delivered robust volume growth and operating earnings, capping off a record year for Ball. Our success reflects disciplined execution and the strength of the Ball Business System, serving our customers, empowering our people and culture, and driving operational excellence every shift, every day. These pillars enabled us to meet our 2025 expectations, achieve record earnings per share, and return approximately $1.54 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends," said Ron Lewis, chief executive officer.
Ball scored the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 17.2% since reporting and currently trades at $66.43.
Is now the time to buy Ball? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Crown Holdings (NYSE:CCK)
Formerly Crown Cork & Seal, Crown Holdings (NYSE:CCK) produces packaging products for consumer marketing companies, including food, beverage, household, and industrial products.
Crown Holdings reported revenues of $3.13 billion, up 7.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.6%. The business had a strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates.
Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $110.39.
Is now the time to buy Crown Holdings? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q4: Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG)
Founded in 1959, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products as well as displays and package protection.
Packaging Corporation of America reported revenues of $2.36 billion, up 10.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
Packaging Corporation of America delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 9.6% since the results and currently trades at $245.06.
Read our full analysis of Packaging Corporation of America’s results here.
Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY)
Founded as Kum Kleen Products, Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) is a manufacturer of adhesive materials, display graphics, and packaging products, serving various industries.
Avery Dennison reported revenues of $2.27 billion, up 3.9% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced EPS guidance for next quarter slightly topping analysts’ expectations but a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.
The stock is up 4.6% since reporting and currently trades at $195.38.
Read our full, actionable report on Avery Dennison here, it’s free.
Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK)
Founded in 1991, Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) is a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide range of products.
Graphic Packaging Holding reported revenues of $2.10 billion, flat year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.5%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ sales volume estimates but full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.
Graphic Packaging Holding had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 17.3% since reporting and currently trades at $12.22.
Read our full, actionable report on Graphic Packaging Holding here, it’s free.
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