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Packaging Corp. (PKG) Reports Q1 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

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For the quarter ended March 2026, Packaging Corp. (PKG - Free Report) reported revenue of $2.37 billion, up 10.6% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.40, compared to $2.31 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.85% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.41 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.17, the EPS surprise was +10.7%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Packaging Corp. performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Segment Sales- Packaging: $2.19 billion compared to the $2.34 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +11.1% year over year.
  • Segment Sales- Corporate and Other: $19.3 million versus $18.97 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +17% change.
  • Segment Sales- Paper: $159.9 million versus $148.34 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +3.7% change.
  • Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Packaging: $316.5 million compared to the $291.92 million average estimate based on two analysts.
  • Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Corporate and Other: $-38.5 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $-37.58 million.
  • Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Paper: $32.9 million compared to the $33.17 million average estimate based on two analysts.

View all Key Company Metrics for Packaging Corp. here>>>

Shares of Packaging Corp. have returned -1.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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