Ball (NYSE:BALL) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Key Points

• Ball reported Q1 EPS of $0.94, beating estimates by $0.09, with revenue of $3.60 billion (vs. $3.34B est.) and revenue up 16.3% year‑over‑year; comparable diluted EPS rose ~22%.
• Management reiterated strong full‑year targets — including 10%+ comparable diluted EPS growth, >$900M free cash flow and at least $600M of share repurchases — while expanding capacity (Benepack acquisition, Millersburg build); near‑term headwinds include ~$35M Millersburg startup costs, elevated corporate costs (~$175M) and aluminum‑cost risks (largely passed to customers).

Ball (NYSE:BALL - Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.09, Zacks reports. Ball had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 18.12%. The business had revenue of $3.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.76 EPS. The company's revenue was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. Ball updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.930- EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Ball's conference call:

• Ball reported a strong Q1 with global shipped beverage volumes up ~1%, comparable operating earnings +10% YoY and comparable diluted EPS of $0.94 (up 22%), outperforming its 2x operating leverage target.
• Management reiterated full-year targets including 10%+ comparable diluted EPS growth, free cash flow >$900M and at least $600M of share repurchases (total shareholder returns of $800M), supporting shareholder returns and balance-sheet strength.
• The company expanded capacity and market presence by completing the Benepack acquisition (Belgium, Hungary) and progressing the Millersburg, OR build (on track to ramp in 2027), while flagging high plant utilization and continued share gains for aluminum cans.
• Ball updated segment reporting (moved India/Myanmar into EMEA and removed certain financing items from comparable operating earnings) to emphasize operating earnings per can, and reiterated 2026 modeling metrics (interest ~$320M, tax ~23%, year-end net debt/EBITDA ~2.7x, CapEx ~ GAAP D&A).
• Near-term headwinds include an expected ~$35M of Millersburg startup/domestication costs later this year and elevated corporate undistributed costs (~$175M), and while aluminum cost inflation is a risk, management notes aluminum is largely passed through to customers.

Ball Stock Down 1.7%

BALL traded down $1.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $59.91. The stock had a trading volume of 835,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,277,554. The stock's 50 day moving average is $62.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The company has a market capitalization of $15.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.06. Ball has a one year low of $44.83 and a one year high of $68.29.

Ball Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 1st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. Ball's dividend payout ratio is presently 24.10%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Kathleen Pitre sold 10,660 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.63, for a total value of $710,275.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 36,772 shares in the company, valued at $2,450,118.36. This trade represents a 22.47% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Fauze Villatoro purchased 1,551 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $64.51 per share, with a total value of $100,055.01. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,778 shares in the company, valued at $888,818.78. This trade represents a 12.69% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.58% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ball

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BALL. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Ball during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $453,000. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Ball by 41.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 5,245 shares of the company's stock worth $289,000 after acquiring an additional 1,531 shares in the last quarter. FIL Ltd grew its stake in shares of Ball by 58.6% in the fourth quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 4,380 shares of the company's stock worth $232,000 after acquiring an additional 1,618 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Ball by 140.2% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 4,040 shares of the company's stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 2,358 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC bought a new position in shares of Ball during the fourth quarter valued at $207,000. Institutional investors own 86.51% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Ball from $74.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 13th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Ball from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Raymond James Financial set a $73.00 price objective on Ball and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Ball in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $72.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Ball from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ball presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $69.33.

About Ball

Ball Corporation is a leading provider of sustainable aluminum packaging solutions and advanced aerospace technologies. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, the company serves customers in the beverage, food and aerosol markets through a global network of manufacturing facilities. With an emphasis on sustainability and innovation, Ball designs and produces metal cans, bottles and ends that support recycling and reduce environmental impact.

The company's packaging segment specializes in beverage cans for soft drinks, beer and energy drinks, as well as metal packaging for food and personal care applications.

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