Companies /Consumer Cyclical

Sonoco Products Company

NYSE: SON Packaging & Containers
$56.52
▼ $0.19 (−0.33%) today
Markets open · 1:03pm ET

Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported Apr 21, 2026, 4:27pm ET · SEC source
$1.20
Miss −0.31%
EPS · est. $1.20
$1.7B
Miss −1.97%
Revenue · est. $1.7B
−1.1%
Trailing market
SON vs S&P since report
1 quarter
Consecutive EPS misses

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 21Apr 22report 4:27pm ETearnings+0.5%−11.6%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 21Apr 22earnings+0.5%−11.6%
SON −11.6%S&P 500 +0.5%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 21Apr 22report 4:27pm ETearnings+1.2%−11.6%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 21Apr 22earnings+1.2%−11.6%
SON −11.6%NASDAQ +1.2%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 20Apr 29report 4:27pm ETearnings+0.3%−6.4%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 20Apr 29earnings+0.3%−6.4%
SON −6.4%S&P 500 +0.3%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 20Apr 29report 4:27pm ETearnings+1.7%−6.4%
−12%−6%0+6%Apr 20Apr 29earnings+1.7%−6.4%
SON −6.4%NASDAQ +1.7%
−16.22%
Day of report
+3.38%
Next session
+3.30%
One week
+3.76%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +4.84%.

Did SON Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Sonoco Products delivered a modest miss on both the top and bottom lines in the first quarter of 2026, as the packaging company navigated a leaner post-divestiture profile while facing persistent cost pressures. Adjusted diluted EPS came in at $1.20, fractionally below the $1.20 consensus estimate, while net sales of $1.68 billion fell 1.97% short of the $1.71 billion analysts had expected and declined 1.9% from a year ago, with the November 2025 sale of ThermoSafe a primary driver of the revenue contraction. Consumer Packaging offered a relative bright spot, with segment sales growing 2.9% to $1.10 billion on pricing actions tied to inflation and tariffs, though margin compression and softer industrial volumes weighed on overall profitability. Cash flow remained a concern, with operating activities consuming $367.93 million partly due to roughly $103 million in one-time divestiture-related tax payments. Looking ahead, Sonoco maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion but guided toward the low end of its $5.80 to $6.20 adjusted EPS range, citing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Key Takeaways
  • Productivity savings from fixed cost reduction initiatives and procurement savings
  • Favorable price/cost environment from price increases to offset inflation and tariffs
  • Favorable foreign exchange rates in Consumer Packaging
  • Lower volume/mix across both segments partially offset gains
  • Absence of operating profit from divested ThermoSafe business
  • Fire at recycling facility in Greenville, South Carolina impacted Industrial segment
  • Severe winter weather disrupted customers and operations

“We are proud of our team's solid performance in the first quarter despite disruptions from severe winter weather which impacted our customers and our operations, a fire that destroyed a recycling facility in South Carolina and the effects of rapidly changing macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions. Results from our Consumer Packaging segment exceeded our expectations while our Industrial Paper Packaging segment faced operational and demand challenges. Overall, productivity and a favorable price/cost environment more than offset a decline in volume/mix.”

Sonoco CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Sonoco maintained full-year 2026 net sales guidance of $7.25 billion to $7.75 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion. Cash flow from operating activities guidance remains at $700 million to $800 million. However, the company is now targeting the low end of its adjusted diluted EPS guidance range of $5.80 to $6.20, citing projected inflationary pressures on energy, logistics, chemicals, resins and other input costs, as well as lower demand due to the uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment. The company expects to achieve at least $32 million in annual Profitability Performance Plan savings in 2026, working toward a three-year target of $150 million to $200 million.

SON YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 · SEC filings Q1 2025 Q1 2026
$0$500.0M$1.0B$1.5B$1.7B$1.7BRevenue$353.7M$345.6MGross Profit$126.9M$127.1MOperating Income$54.4M$67.6MNet Income
$0$500.0M$1.0B$1.5BRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

SON Revenue by Segment

Consumer Packaging$1.1B+2.9%
Industrial Paper Packaging$579.4M−1.4%
All Other

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.