SONOCO PRODUCTS CO Q2 FY26 Results

Our Sonoco team delivered solid second quarter results that met our expectations and exceeded consensus estimates as productivity and cost control initiatives helped offset global inflation headwinds stemming from higher logistics, chemicals, resins and other raw material costs. Results from our Industrial Paper Packaging segment exceeded expectations with operating profit up 4% during the period and up 29% from the first quarter. The Industrial segment improvement was primarily driven by productivity gains which more than offset price/cost headwinds. North America URB trade tons grew 6% which boosted mill utilization to 95%, while the segment’s volume/mix was flat. Our Consumer Packaging segment operating profit declined approximately 5% during the period but was up 22% sequentially from the first quarter. Productivity and cost containment initiatives boosted Consumer segment results. Paper can volumes were up 9% in EMEA/APAC due to rising snack demand, but overall segment volumes were down 1.8% driven primarily by lower metal aerosol cans and adhesive and sealant tube demand. Entering the second half of the year we are encouraged that several key indicators are strengthening in our favor as we begin our busiest period of the year. Demand for our URB in North America is very strong as a result of entering new markets, such as saturating URB for laminated products, along with share gains that have expanded our backlogs and require that we import paper from our Europe and Latin America mills through the third quarter. In our Consumer segment, projected paper can growth in Europe, Asia, and South America has us exploring additional capacity expansion plans while customer promotions and new product launches are projected to lift both paper and metal can volumes as we enter the important seasonal pack season in both the U.S. and EMEA. While we remain mindful of external macroeconomic risks, we are confident in our strategy, portfolio and ability to execute through economic cycles.

Our businesses continue to demonstrate tremendous cash-generating capabilities, delivering a record second-quarter operating cash flow of $301 million and free cash flow of $237 million, increases of 56% and 139%, respectively, compared to the prior year. These results reflect disciplined working capital management and the earnings power of our portfolio. Year-to-date operating cash flow includes approximately $103 million of one-time tax payments related to gains from our 2025 divestitures, highlighting that our underlying cash flow performance is strong and supports our confidence in reaffirming full-year guidance. As pricing actions and contract resets take effect, we expect improved margin performance across our portfolio. Combined with ongoing productivity initiatives, disciplined cost management and execution of our profitability performance plan, we remain confident in achieving our long-term goal of improving margins by 200 basis points by the end of 2028.