Earnings Releases·Nov 3, 2026, 8:11 AM ET

Ball Corporation — Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Summary

Q3 2026 net sales rose 24% year-over-year to $4.19 billion; comparable net earnings increased 6.8% to $293 million ($1.10 per share), while GAAP net loss was $94 million due to a $475 million noncash pension settlement charge.
Full-year 2026 guidance remains intact with expectations for 10-plus percent comparable EPS growth and $900 million in free cash flow, alongside a long-term target of 4–6 percent operating earnings growth.
Strategic capital allocation includes a target to return at least $800 million to shareholders via buybacks and dividends by year-end 2026, having already returned $431 million in the first nine months.
Significant M&A activity includes the January 2026 acquisition of 80% of Benepack's European beverage can business and recent facility investments in Germany and India, while the aluminum cups business was deconsolidated in March 2025.
Global aluminum packaging shipments grew 4.7% in Q3, driven by volume increases and favorable price/mix, though North America segment earnings were impacted by higher operating and plant start-up costs.