Ball said that for the first six months, comparable segment operating earnings were $335 million on sales of $2.4 billion compared to $259 million on sales of $2.4 billion during the same period in 2019
Ball used growth investments and global plant network to meet strong demand for aluminum beverage cans. (Credit: skeeze from Pixabay.)
Ball Corporation reported, on a U.S. GAAP basis, second quarter 2020 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $94 million (including net after-tax charges of $122 million, or 37 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items) or 28 cents per diluted share, on sales of $2.8 billion, compared to $197 million net earnings attributable to the corporation, or 58 cents per diluted share (including net after-tax charges of $22 million, or 6 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items), on sales of $3.0 billion in 2019. Results for the first six months of 2020 were net earnings attributable to the corporation of $117 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, on sales of $5.6 billion, compared to $314 million net earnings attributable to the corporation, or 92 cents per diluted share on sales of $5.8 billion for the first six months of 2019.
Ball’s second quarter and year-to-date 2020 comparable earnings per diluted share were 65 cents and $1.26, respectively, versus second quarter and year-to-date 2019 comparable earnings per diluted share of 64 cents and $1.13, respectively, representing, year-over-year second quarter and year-to-date growth of 2 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
Second quarter and year-to-date results reflect the 2019 sale of the company’s Argentine steel aerosol business and Chinese beverage can assets, and new segment reporting for the company’s beverage packaging, EMEA business and other non-reportable results. References to volume data represent units shipped, and year-over-year global beverage volumes referenced exclude the impact of the 2019 sale of the Chinese beverage can assets. Details of comparable segment earnings, business consolidation activities, business segment descriptions and other non-comparable items can be found in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that accompany this news release.
“The resiliency of our businesses and ability to maintain safe, continuous business operations is reflected in our results. Our team is working diligently to satisfy the needs of our global aluminum packaging and aerospace customers amidst a dynamic operating environment. Ball’s financial strength, growth investments, sustainable products and ability to provide for our employees, customers and communities where we operate has never been more important,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
“During the quarter, our company posted 2 percent comparable earnings per diluted share growth on flat operating earnings with strong aluminum beverage can demand in North America continuing to outpace regional supply offset somewhat by high single-digit volume declines in EMEA, early-quarter sharp volume declines in South America aluminum beverage and an aerospace supply chain issue impacting segment results. Our global beverage, aerosol and aerospace businesses rebounded swiftly following the initial impact of the global pandemic and all are exiting the quarter with momentum for improved performance in the second half and beyond.”
“With demand for our aluminum packaging solutions and aerospace technologies increasing even higher than we anticipated, much needed capacity additions and hiring will benefit our company and customers in the second half of 2020 and beyond. Our previously announced projects are on track and we will continue to deploy additional capital across our existing business portfolio to support new customer contracts. Ball remains well positioned to grow diluted earnings per share, and deliver shareholder returns now and into the future,” Hayes said.
Beverage Packaging, North and Central America
Beverage packaging, North and Central America, comparable segment operating earnings for second quarter 2020 were $189 million on sales of $1.3 billion compared to $141 million on sales of $1.3 billion during the same period in 2019. For the first six months, comparable segment operating earnings were $335 million on sales of $2.4 billion compared to $259 million on sales of $2.4 billion during the same period in 2019.
Low single-digit volume growth during the quarter, benefits from new contractual terms and improved operational performance led to strong performance, and were partially offset by employee costs related to continued hiring in preparation for new production lines starting up in the second half of 2020. Higher at-home consumption combined with already tight supply/demand conditions outpaced domestically produced volume. Continued SKU rationalization with certain customers and the short-term benefit of imported cans from our global network will provide availability of cans for consumers’ significant demand for soft drinks, sparkling water, spiked seltzers and beer during the busy summer selling season.
Throughout 2020, continued benefits from new customer contracts, operational efficiency, strong demand for aluminum beverage packaging, and increased availability of cans from our new production lines starting up in Georgia and Texas during the second half are expected to add to year-over-year results. In addition, two new can manufacturing facilities in Arizona and the northeastern U.S. will be operational by mid-2021.
Beverage Packaging, EMEA
Beverage packaging, EMEA, comparable segment operating earnings for the second quarter 2020 were $63 million on sales of $699 million compared to $98 million on sales of $768 million during the same period in 2019. For the first six months, comparable segment operating earnings were $131 million on sales of $1.4 billion compared to $172 million on sales of $1.5 billion during the same period in 2019. Beginning in 2020, current and historical quarterly results for the company’s existing facilities in Cairo, Egypt, and Manisa, Turkey, have been consolidated into the segment.
Strong at-home consumption trends in the U.K. and Russia were unable to offset softness in other areas of Europe, resulting in high single-digit volume declines for the segment during the quarter. Early in the quarter, travel restrictions and ongoing border closures stifled typical seasonal demand patterns across Western Europe, Turkey and the Mediterranean, pressuring earnings due to lower absorption for multiple weeks. Demand rebounded late in the quarter as borders opened and limited tourism was allowed in certain countries. Packaging mix shift to cans for traditional and non-traditional beverages and strong growth for energy drinks is expected to accelerate in the second half.
Second half results are expected to reflect notable year-over-year improvement as multiple beverage can line additions ramp up across the existing European plant network to support the European recovery as well as provide short-term support for increased North American beverage can demand.
Beverage Packaging, South America
Beverage packaging, South America, comparable segment operating earnings for the second quarter 2020, were $46 million on sales of $329 million compared to $65 million on sales of $377 million during the same period in 2019. For the first six months, comparable segment operating earnings were $109 million on sales of $734 million compared to $133 million on sales of $818 million for the same period in 2019.
Segment volume ended the quarter flat despite steep double-digit volume declines in Brazil during April which pressured earnings due to lower absorption. In May and June, Brazilian demand rebounded significantly as small grocery stores and gas stations reopened and store owners emphasized recyclable aluminum beverage packaging over returnable glass.
As we look forward, performance in the second half is expected to improve meaningfully with customer packaging mix continuing to favor aluminum beverage packaging over other substrates. In mid-2021, multiple new Brazilian production lines will come on line to support anticipated growth across the region.
Aerospace
Aerospace comparable segment operating earnings for second quarter 2020 were $30 million on sales of $438 million compared to $38 million on sales of $379 million during the same period in 2019. For the first six months, comparable segment operating earnings were $70 million on sales of $870 million compared to $68 million on sales of $707 million. Contracted backlog remains strong at $2.1 billion and contracts already won, but not yet booked into current contracted backlog, increased 10 percent since the first quarter to $5.3 billion.
Segment results were dampened late in the quarter due to a subcontractor supply chain issue on a key program. Other programs continued to operate at a high level and hiring gained momentum throughout the quarter. The company continues to win and provide mission-critical programs and technologies to U.S. government, defense, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance customers. Multiple projects to expand manufacturing capacity, test capabilities engineering and support workspace remain on track. In 2020 and beyond, the larger labor base will execute on a broad base of defense, civil, climate monitoring and weather prediction contracts leading segment comparable operating earnings to grow on a full-year basis for the foreseeable future.
Non-reportable
Second quarter and year-to-date results in non-reportable reflect the benefit of lower undistributed corporate expenses and were more than offset by the impact of the 2019 sale of the Chinese beverage can assets and Argentine steel aerosol business, lower operating results in the remaining non-reportable beverage and aluminum aerosol businesses, and investments in the recently launched aluminum cup business. The current and historical results from the existing facilities in Cairo, Egypt, and Manisa, Turkey, have been consolidated into the beverage packaging, EMEA segment beginning in 2020.
The results for the company’s global aluminum aerosol business and beverage can manufacturing facilities in India, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar and investments in the company’s new aluminum cup business continue to be reported as non-reportable segments. During the quarter, the company’s global aluminum aerosol volumes declined 6 percent with stable demand in North America offset by double-digit declines in India and high single-digit declines in Europe. Going forward, growth in sanitizing sprays and health and pharmaceutical packaging are expected to partially offset the lower demand for other personal care products. The company’s announced aluminum aerosol manufacturing facility acquisition in Brazil is expected to close in the third quarter.
Outlook
“Our company continues to operate from a position of strength. Ample liquidity and cash flow continue to bolster our ability to accelerate growth investments while continuing to return value to shareholders. Given the exciting growth trajectory in our North American beverage business, we foresee 2020 capital expenditures exceeding $900 million and additional EVA-enhancing opportunities in 2021 and beyond,” said Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer.
“We are proud of our colleagues around the world. During the quarter, we faced many challenges on both a human and operational level, and our team came together to execute our global business strategy as effectively and safely as possible. While lingering challenges are likely, our products and operations have proven their resiliency by exiting the second quarter with notable momentum across all of our operations. We currently expect to grow our earnings per diluted share this year while returning capital to our shareholders. Beyond 2020, we look forward to continuing to grow our EVA dollars on an even larger capital base and achieving our long-term diluted earnings per share growth goal of 10 to 15 percent,” Hayes said.
Source: Company Press Release