Ball Corporation reported second quarter results. References to net sales and comparable operating earnings in today’s release do not include the company’s former aerospace business.
Year-over-year net earnings attributable to the corporation and comparable net earnings do include the performance of the company’s former aerospace business through the sale date of February 16, 2024. On a U.S. GAAP basis, the company reported, second quarter 2024 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $158 million (including a net after-tax loss of $74 million, or 23 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items) or total diluted earnings per share of 51 cents, on sales of $2.96 billion, compared to $173 million net earnings attributable to the corporation, or total diluted earnings per share of 55 cents (including a net after-tax loss of $21 million, or 6 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items) on sales of $3.07 billion in 2023.
Results for the first six months of 2024 were net earnings attributable to the corporation of $3.84 billion (including a net after-tax gain of $3.39 billion for the aerospace business sale, business consolidation and other non-comparable items), or total diluted earnings per share of $12.21, on sales of $5.83 billion compared to $350 million, or total diluted earnings per share of $1.10, on sales of $6.05 billion for the first six months of 2023.
Ball’s second quarter and year-to-date 2024 comparable earnings per diluted share were 74 cents and $1.43, respectively, versus second quarter and year-to-date 2023 comparable earnings per diluted share of 61 cents and $1.30, respectively.
“We delivered strong second quarter results and returned $790 million to shareholders in the first half of 2024. Leveraging our strong financial position and leaner operating model, the company remains uniquely positioned to enable our purpose of advancing the greater use of sustainable aluminum packaging. We continue to complement our purpose by driving innovation and sustainability on a global scale, unlocking additional manufacturing efficiencies and enabling consistent delivery of high-quality, long-term shareholder value creation,” said Daniel W. Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer.
Details of reportable segment comparable operating earnings, business consolidation and other activities, business segment descriptions and other non-comparable items can be found in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that accompany this news release. References to volume data represent units shipped.
Beverage Packaging, North and Central America
Beverage packaging, North and Central America, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2024 were $210 million on sales of $1.47 billion compared to $175 million on sales of $1.54 billion during the same period in 2023. Second quarter sales reflect the contractual pass through of lower aluminum costs partially offset by higher volumes.
Second quarter segment comparable operating earnings increased year-over-year primarily due to lower costs and higher volumes of 1.1 percent in the second quarter. Aluminum beverage cans continue to outperform other substrates. Going forward, growth supported by business development efforts and innovation across diverse beverage categories, additional benefits from fixed and variable cost-out initiatives and improved operational efficiencies are expected to improve results throughout 2024 and beyond.
Beverage Packaging, EMEA
Beverage packaging, EMEA, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2024 were $113 million on sales of $880 million compared to $98 million on sales of $920 million during the same period in 2023. Second quarter sales reflect the contractual pass through of lower aluminum costs.
Second quarter comparable operating earnings reflect 6.5 percent higher volumes and favorable price/mix partially offset by higher year-over-year costs. Packaging mix shift to aluminum cans supported by ongoing packaging legislation in certain countries continues to be a driver of aluminum beverage packaging growth. Going forward, sustainability tailwinds and seasonal trends are anticipated to improve demand throughout the year.
Beverage Packaging, South America
Beverage packaging, South America, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2024 were $37 million on sales of $422 million compared to $30 million on sales of $405 million during the same period in 2023. Second quarter sales reflect lower volumes more than offset by price/mix.
Second quarter segment comparable operating earnings increased year-over-year driven by favorable price/mix partially offset by the impact of continuing disruptive economic and operating conditions in Argentina driving total segment volumes lower by 3.2 percent in the second quarter. In Argentina, the company continues to serve customers and assess risks given the dynamic economic and policy environment. Across South America multi-year customer initiatives to increase the use of sustainable aluminum packaging are expected to continue.
Non-reportable
Included within undistributed corporate expenses are corporate interest income, incremental compensation cost from the successful sale of the aerospace business, the results of the company’s global aluminum aerosol business, beverage can manufacturing facilities in India, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar and the company’s aluminum cup business.
Second quarter 2024 improved results reflect lower year-over-year undistributed corporate expenses partially offset by lower comparable operating earnings for the aluminum packaging businesses in other non-reportable. Volume in the company’s global extruded aluminum bottles and aerosol containers business increased 5.6 percent in the second quarter. The company’s global aluminum aerosol, aluminum bottle and cups customers continue to collaborate with Ball to activate growth opportunities and tailored offerings for personal and home care brands, refill and reuse packaging for water, other beverages and venue specific needs to advance the circular economy.
Outlook
“Our global business performance remains strong and on track to deliver or exceed against our stated goals. We are now on track to return in excess of $1.6 billion to shareholders in 2024. By consistently executing on our plans to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence, our resulting strong free cash flow will allow us to return significant value to shareholders while also prudently investing in our business over the years to come,” said Howard Yu, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“The team is operating at a high level and is focused on executing our enterprise-wide strategy with purpose and pace to advance aluminum packaging and to consistently deliver high-quality results, products and returns. In 2024, we are positioned to achieve mid-single digit plus comparable diluted earnings per share growth, generate strong free cash flow and EVA while also returning significant value to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends following the sale of the company’s aerospace business. We will continue to leverage the strengths of our best-in-class footprint, product portfolio and operational talent. I want to thank our employees for their hard work to consistently deliver comparable diluted earnings per share growth greater than 10 percent per annum in 2025 and beyond,” Fisher said.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers. Ball Corporation employs 16,000 people worldwide and reported 2023 net sales of $12.06 billion, which excludes the divested aerospace business.