Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the industrial packaging stocks, including Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) and its peers.
Industrial packaging companies have built competitive advantages from economies of scale that lead to advantaged purchasing and capital investments that are difficult and expensive to replicate. Recently, eco-friendly packaging and conservation are driving customers preferences and innovation. For example, plastic is not as desirable a material as it once was. Despite being integral to consumer goods ranging from beer to toothpaste to laundry detergent, these companies are still at the whim of the macro, especially consumer health and consumer willingness to spend.
The 9 industrial packaging stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.
In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.
Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY)
Founded as Kum Kleen Products, Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) is a manufacturer of adhesive materials, display graphics, and packaging products, serving various industries.
Avery Dennison reported revenues of $2.18 billion, up 4.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a slight miss of analysts’ organic revenue and EPS estimates.
“We delivered a strong third quarter with strong earnings growth, above expectations, driven by higher volume and productivity gains,” said Deon Stander, president and CEO.
Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 7.8% since reporting and currently trades at $196.01.
Read our full report on Avery Dennison here, it’s free.
Best Q3: International Paper (NYSE:IP)
Established in 1898, International Paper (NYSE:IP) produces containerboard, pulp, paper, and materials used in packaging and printing applications.
International Paper reported revenues of $4.69 billion, up 1.6% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.
The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 16.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $57.05.
Is now the time to buy International Paper? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q3: Silgan Holdings (NYSE:SLGN)
Established in 1987, Silgan Holdings (NYSE:SLGN) is a supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, specializing in metal containers, closures, and plastic packaging.
Silgan Holdings reported revenues of $1.75 billion, down 3.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
Silgan Holdings delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 7.9% since the results and currently trades at $54.80.
Read our full analysis of Silgan Holdings’s results here.
Ball (NYSE:BALL)
Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE:BLL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.
Ball reported revenues of $3.08 billion, down 13.7% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 1.6%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also logged a miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.
Ball had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 8.6% since reporting and currently trades at $58.72.
Read our full, actionable report on Ball here, it’s free.
Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK)
Founded in 1991, Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK) is a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide range of products.
Graphic Packaging Holding reported revenues of $2.22 billion, down 5.7% year on year. This result lagged analysts' expectations by 2.8%. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also recorded a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.The stock is down 6.1% since reporting and currently trades at $28.50.
Read our full, actionable report on Graphic Packaging Holding here, it’s free.
Market Update
Thanks to the Fed's series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market has thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.
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