Ball's Q1 revenue and adjusted EPS beat estimates

Ball

05/05/2026 11:12

Overview

Global aluminum packaging leader's Q1 revenue rose and beat analyst expectations

Adjusted EPS for Q1 beat analyst expectations, driven by higher volumes and operating earnings

Company remains on track to return at least $800 mln to shareholders by year-end

Outlook

Ball expects 2026 comparable diluted EPS growth of 10-plus percent

Company sees 2026 free cash flow greater than $900 mln

Result Drivers

NORTH AMERICA VOLUME AND PRICING - Higher volume and improved price/mix, mainly from higher aluminum prices, boosted North and Central America segment earnings, partially offset by higher costs

EMEA ACQUISITION AND SHIPMENTS - Inclusion of Benepack business, higher shipments, and currency translation drove EMEA segment growth

SOUTH AMERICA PRICING OFFSET - Higher prices, mainly from increased aluminum prices, offset lower volume and higher costs in South America, resulting in flat operating earnings

Company press release: ID:nPn20DYJ3a

Key Details

Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q1 Revenue
Beat
$3.60 bln
$3.36 bln (11 Analysts)
Q1 Adjusted EPS
Beat
$0.94
$0.85 (13 Analysts)
Q1 Net Income
$205 mln


Analyst Coverage

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 11 "strong buy" or "buy", 4 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

The average consensus recommendation for the non-paper containers & packaging peer group is "buy"

Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Ball Corp is $71.00, about 16.5% above its May 4 closing price of $60.93

The stock recently traded at 15 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 14 three months ago

For questions concerning the data in this report, contact Estimates.Support@lseg.com. For any other questions or feedback, contact reuters.support@thomsonreuters.com.

(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)