Aluminum can maker Ball Corp beats fourth-quarter estimates on strong demand

Feb 3 (Reuters) - Aluminum packaging company Ball Corp BALL.N beat analysts' estimate for fourth-quarter sales and profit on Tuesday, helped by strong demand for its recyclable cups and bottles.

Ball Corp, which supplies packaging to major food and beverage companies across North America, including canned food maker Del Monte, also forecast more than 10% earnings growth in 2026. Its shares rose nearly 9%.

As consumers grapple with inflation pressures, many are shifting toward more affordable meals prepared at home, driving demand for canned foods and supporting packaging sales at companies such as Ball Corp.

The company reported a 6% increase in global aluminum packaging shipments during the quarter, compared with a 3.9% rise in the preceding three months.

Its beverage packaging sales in North and Central America stood at $1.57 billion, compared with $1.29 billion a year earlier.

Ball Corp, on a post-earnings call, said it expects some direct tariff costs of about $35 million in 2026. It had said in November the direct impact of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs were manageable, helped by local sourcing strategy.

The company in December had agreed to acquire a majority stake in Benepack's beverage can manufacturing business in Europe for about 184 million euros, aiming to boost its regional footprint.

Ball Corp also benefits from growing sustainability trends, with its aluminum cups and bottles gaining traction among shoppers seeking eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and tin-coated steel.

The company reported fourth-quarter net sales of $3.35 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $3.11 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It posted adjusted profit of 91 cents per share during the three months ended December 31, ahead of the estimate of 89 cents.

($1 = 0.8478 euros)