The packaging giant projected 2026 adjusted earnings between $0.75 and $1.15 per share, significantly trailing the $1.74 analyst consensus. While the company expects full-year revenue to land between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion—largely in line with market expectations—its profitability metrics signaled a sharp contraction. Adjusted EBITDA is forecast to slide to a range of $1.05 billion to $1.25 billion, down from $1.4 billion in 2025.

Market Pressures and Q4 Performance

The downward revision follows a fourth quarter where net income nearly halved to $71 million, or 24 cents per share. CEO Robbert Rietbroek attributed the sluggish performance to "consumer affordability pressures" that have forced the company's clients to navigate a more frugal retail environment. Despite these headwinds, quarterly net sales remained flat at $2.1 billion, slightly outpacing Wall Street's $2.03 billion estimate.

The company’s struggle to maintain margins reflects broader trends in the consumer goods sector, where rising costs and private-label competition are squeezing established suppliers. According to the company's financial report, the recent quarter was further impacted by several specific factors:

• $41 million in amortization of purchased intangibles.
• $14 million in net charges from nonrecurring and special items.
• Adjusted earnings of 29 cents per share, missing the 35-cent FactSet estimate.