Ball (NYSE:BALL) Announces Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.04 EPS

Ball (NYSE:BALL) posted its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.04, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $4 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.69 billion. Ball had a return on equity of 18.69% and a net margin of 6.86%.Ball’s revenue for the quarter was up 19.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.90 EPS. Ball updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.930- EPS.

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

• Strong second-quarter execution: Global beverage-can volumes rose 4.3% year over year, comparable operating earnings increased 7.7%, and comparable diluted EPS grew 14.4%. Management said first-half results support its full-year target of more than 10% comparable EPS growth.
• Ball maintained its 2026 outlook, including more than $900 million in free cash flow and approximately $800 million of shareholder returns, comprising at least $600 million of share repurchases and roughly $200 million in dividends.
• Demand remained broad-based: EMEIA volumes grew mid-single digits, South America volumes increased in the mid-teens with operating earnings up 64%, and North American demand was constructive in energy and non-alcoholic beverages. Management said the aluminum can continues to gain share across beverage categories.
• North American operating earnings declined 2.4% as tight capacity created operational friction and Ball incurred approximately $5 million of startup costs in the quarter. About $30 million of the projected $35 million in 2026 startup costs is expected in the second half, although Millersburg began producing commercial cans and is expected to provide its full benefit in 2027.
• Ball is integrating the Benepack facilities in Hungary and Belgium, which are expected to become fully operational and accretive in 2027. The company also described India and Europe as significant long-term growth opportunities, supported by lower can penetration and sustainability-driven demand.

Ball Stock Down 3.0%

NYSE BALL traded down $1.95 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $63.20. The stock had a trading volume of 705,422 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,483,372. Ball has a 12 month low of $44.83 and a 12 month high of $68.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $59.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.60. The company has a market capitalization of $16.83 billion, a PE ratio of 18.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.98.

Ball Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Ball’s payout ratio is presently 23.12%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BALL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Ball from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $60.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, May 18th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Ball from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Ball from $66.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Ball from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Ball from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $70.85.

Institutional Trading of Ball

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BALL. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Ball during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Gilpin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ball in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Scientech Research LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ball by 4.2% in the third quarter. Scientech Research LLC now owns 14,103 shares of the company’s stock worth $711,000 after buying an additional 571 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in Ball by 10.6% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,167 shares of the company’s stock valued at $321,000 after buying an additional 590 shares during the period. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC grew its position in Ball by 10.5% during the third quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 7,389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 702 shares during the period. 86.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ball Company Profile

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.