Ball Reports Strong 2020 Results

During the COVID-19 pandemic, food packaging has remained steady. Ball Corporation, a global leader in the beverage can segment, reported that its 2020 fiscal results were fairly similar to 2019.

Ball reported sales of $11.8 billion in 2020, up slightly from $11.5 billion in 2019. Ball’s full-year 2020 comparable net earnings were $987 million, or $2.97 per diluted share, compared to $861 million, or $2.53 per diluted share in 2019.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Ball reported sales of $3.1 billion, compared to $2.7 billion in 4Q 2019. Ball’s fourth quarter 2020 comparable net earnings were $272 million, similar to $238 million in 4Q 2019.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the company posted 14% comparable earnings per diluted share growth on 12% global beverage volume growth and 18% growth in funded and unfunded aerospace backlog.

“We finished 2020 with positive momentum. Significant demand growth for our aluminum packaging products and aerospace technologies continues, full-year comparable diluted earnings per share increased 17%, and our strong balance sheet and cash flow from operations underpinned $1.1 billion of capital investments to address sustainable growth across our global operations,” said John A. Hayes, chairman and CEO.