Ball Corporation Delivers Strong Q1 Results, Reaffirms Guidance for Record Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Comparable Diluted EPS Growth
Broomfield, CO - Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL), a leading global provider of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, today reported strong first quarter 2025 results, reaffirming its guidance for record adjusted free cash flow and comparable diluted earnings per share growth in the year.
"We delivered strong first quarter results and returned $708 million to shareholders via share repurchases and dividend through today's call," said Daniel Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation. "This performance reemphasizes our opportunity to deliver record adjusted free cash flow and comparable diluted earnings per share in 2025."
Net sales for the first quarter 2025 totaled $2.4 billion, with aluminum packaging continuing to outperform other substrates across the globe, demonstrating the resilient and defensive nature of Ball's global business.
"In EMEA, first quarter volume remained strong as our customers continued to move their package mix to aluminum cans," said Howard Yu, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "In South America, volume growth came in slightly ahead of our expectations, driven by positive performance across each geography in which we operate."
In North America, volume returned to grow despite a tough comp and economic pressure on the end consumer.
Ball's global shipments were up 2.6% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025, with all regions performing well.
"We remain laser-focused on achieving our stated goal of 11% to 14% comparable diluted earnings per share growth in 2025 and are confident in our proven ability to execute through complexity and deliver value back to shareholders," said Fisher.
The company continues to anticipate global volume growth in the 2% to 3% range and expects all its businesses to perform in line with or ahead of the targets outlined at its 2024 Investor Day.
In EMEA, Ball continues to expect mid-single-digit volume growth in 2025 as the competitive advantage of aluminum packaging and low can penetration rates continue to drive share gains across the region.
Similarly, in South America, recovery in Argentina and Chile, coupled with anticipated growth in Brazil, is expected to drive volume growth above its 4% to 6% long-term range in 2025.
In North America, higher-than-expected volume growth across nonalcoholic categories more than offset ongoing pressures in mass beer.
