BALL · Earnings call · 2026Q2T · Full report

Guidance / Outlook

BALL Corp · 2026-08-04 · Importance 70 · Surprise 40

Ball maintained its 2026 framework of more than 10% comparable diluted EPS growth, free cash flow above $900 million and approximately $800 million of shareholder returns. Management expects full-year volume growth around 3%, with North and Central America at the low end of its 1%–3% range, EMEA above its 3%–5% range due partly to Benepack, and South America at the low end or potentially middle of its 4%–6% range. The company expects 2026 interest expense of approximately $310 million, an effective comparable tax rate slightly above 23%, capital expenditures in line with GAAP depreciation and amortization, and year-end net debt to comparable EBITDA of approximately 2.7x.

Key facts

• Ball expects the $5 million of start-up costs in the quarter and more than $30 million in the second half of 2026; the plant is planned to be a contributor next year.