Ball Corporation (BALL)
NYSEMaterialsPackaging & ContainersSnapshot 2026-09-04
$62.67-0.41%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEMaterialsPackaging & ContainersSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · BALL
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within materials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks BALL against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Materials names rated neutral grew net income 46% of the time over the next year (vs 54% for the rest of the cohort, n=2582).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Drive comparable diluted earnings per share growth of more than 10% annually through disciplined execution and operational excellence.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Comparable diluted EPS grew from 76 cents in 2025-Q1 to $1.03 in 2026-Q2, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. Management has consistently reaffirmed a target of 10-plus percent annual EPS growth, and the financial results show delivering progress against this goal.
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
“The company reaffirms its previously issued full-year comparable diluted earnings per share growth outlook of 12-15%”
“We remain confident in the resilience and momentum of our business... positions us to deliver on our increased guidance of 12-15% comparable diluted earnings per share growth in 2025.”
“We remain confident in the strength and resilience of our business... positions us well to deliver on our plans of 11-14% comparable diluted earnings per share growth in 2025.”
Maintain strong free cash flow generation exceeding $900 million annually to support shareholder returns and investments.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. The company generated record adjusted free cash flow of $956 million in 2025 and guides for free cash flow greater than $900 million in 2026. Management consistently emphasizes strong free cash flow generation to support shareholder returns and investments, showing delivering progress.
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
Return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends totaling at least $800 million in 2026.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. The company returned $222 million to shareholders in the first half of 2026 and is on track to return at least $800 million by year-end. This reflects management's commitment to capital return, with delivery consistent with stated targets so far.
“Returned $222 million to shareholders via share repurchases and dividends in the first six months of 2026; on track to return at least $800 million through share buybacks and dividends to shareholder…”
Focus on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging solutions to meet customer needs and support long-term value creation.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Management consistently emphasizes advancing sustainable aluminum packaging as a core strategic focus alongside EPS growth and EVA. While financials show growth and operational strength, sustainability progress is described qualitatively without specific numeric milestones.
“Focused on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging while driving 10-plus percent comparable diluted EPS growth, increasing EVA, generating strong free cash flow, and sustaining long-term value creat…”
Complete leadership transition with Ronald J. Lewis appointed CEO and Daniel J. Rabbitt as CFO to advance strategy and operational excellence.
Newly stated in 2025-Q3. The company announced the appointment of Ronald J. Lewis as CEO and Daniel J. Rabbitt as CFO to lead the company forward. This leadership transition is a one-time event with no subsequent quarterly restatement.
“Ronald J. Lewis appointed CEO, effective immediately; Daniel J. Rabbitt appointed Chief Financial Officer”
Over the trailing year it converted -0.46x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Materials names rated fragile grew net income 45% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=1401).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
13 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Materials names rated neutral grew net income 49% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=976).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
“In 2026, expect comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10-plus percent and free cash flow greater than $900 million”
“The company reaffirms its previously issued full-year comparable diluted earnings per share growth outlook of 12-15%, and is positioned to generate strong free cash flow”
“We expect to return at least $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2025, driven by our proven ability to generate robust free cash flow”
“Our free cash flow generation underscores the resilience of our business model and provides us with the flexibility to both deliver meaningful shareholder returns and invest strategically in long-ter…”
“On track to return at least $800 million through share buybacks and dividends to shareholders by year-end”
“Returned $1.54 billion to shareholders via share repurchases and dividends in 2025”
“Focused on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging while driving 10-plus percent comparable diluted EPS growth, increasing EVA, generating strong free cash flow, and sustaining long-term value creat…”
“Focused on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging while driving 10-plus percent comparable diluted EPS growth, increasing EVA, generating strong free cash flow, and sustaining long-term value creat…”
“We remain confident in the growth of aluminum packaging and... are confident in our ability to achieve our long-term algorithm of 10-plus percent annual EPS growth”
“Our teams continue to drive advancements in sustainable aluminum packaging with purpose and agility”
“Our team is focused on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging with purpose and pace”