PKG · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report
Guidance / Outlook
PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA · 2026-08-07 · Importance 40 · Surprise 42 · In source text
Management expects continued strong demand in the Packaging segment and corrugated products volume to increase in the third quarter of 2026 because of one additional shipping day versus the second quarter. PCA expects further Packaging price and mix improvement as it completes the first corrugated-products price increase and begins implementing the second. Freight costs are expected to remain around elevated late-second-quarter levels, while recycled fiber, chemicals, and purchased electricity costs are expected to increase. Overall, management expects third-quarter 2026 earnings, excluding special items, to exceed second-quarter earnings.
Key facts
- PCA expects to realize the majority of the price and mix improvement from the first price increase during the third quarter and expects that the price and mix improvement from the second price increase will be divided between the third and fourth quarters. source
- Considering expected items, PCA expects third quarter earnings to be higher than the second quarter of 2026, excluding special items. source
- PCA expects corrugated products volume to increase in Q3 2026 with one more shipping day in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| revenue | positive | probable | — | PCA expects to realize the majority of the price and mix improvement from the first price increase during the third quarter and expects… |
| margin | positive | probable | — | PCA expects to realize the majority of the price and mix improvement from the first price increase during the third quarter and expects… |
| net_income | positive | probable | — | Considering expected items, PCA expects third quarter earnings to be higher than the second quarter of 2026, excluding special items. |