Aluminium manufacturing company Ball Corporation reported net sales of $3.09bn for the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, marking a 7.7% rise from $2.87bn in the same period last year.
For the quarter ended on 31 March 2025, the company’s net earnings attributable to Ball stood at $179m, a decline from $3.68bn reported a year earlier.
Its diluted earnings per share (EPS) also dropped to $0.63, down sharply from $11.61. However, on a comparable basis, its diluted EPS rose to $0.76 from $0.68.
Meanwhile, the company’s global aluminium packaging shipments increased by 2.6% year over year (YoY) during the quarter.
Ball also returned $612m to its shareholders through repurchases and dividends. The company aims to return $1.5bn by the end of the year.
Growth was observed across all of Ball’s beverage packaging segments globally.
The company attributed this earnings growth to increased volumes and a favourable price/mix.
In North and Central America, comparable operating earnings were $195m, up from $192m.
The company’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment recorded $96m in earnings on sales of $544m in Q1 2025 compared to $85m on sales of $482m in Q1 2024. South America posted $69m in earnings, growing from $55m the previous year.
Ball expressed confidence in meeting its 2025 goals, projecting an 11-14% growth in comparable diluted EPS for the year.
Ball chair and CEO Daniel Fisher said: “We delivered strong first-quarter results, returning $612m to shareholders.
“Our solid financial foundation, leaner operating model and focused growth strategy enabled us to drive meaningful volume and comparable diluted earnings per share growth.
“While we remain mindful of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in select markets, we are confident in our ability to meet our 2025 objectives. Our commitment to operational excellence remains central to our strategy.”
