BALL

Ball

Fundamental data last updated:April 13, 2026

company profile

SECTOR

Consumer Cyclical

industry

Packaging & Containers

Exchange

NYSE

County of HQ

United States

Next Earnings Date

05/05/26

Business Summary

BALL generates cash by manufacturing and supplying packaging and container solutions at scale, converting raw materials into standardized, high-volume products with steady demand. Its moat is built on long-term customer relationships, capital-intensive production infrastructure, and operational efficiency that supports a 16.80% operating margin. The business thrives on volume consistency and disciplined cost management, allowing it to produce reliable cash flows across cycles. Institutional ownership of 70.92% reflects confidence that its scale, manufacturing footprint, and recurring demand profile create durable competitive positioning.

VALUATION

P/E

18.9

Market Cap ($M USD)

$16,578

Forward P/E

13.9

PEG

2.2

PRICE TO SALES

1.3

PRICE TO BOOK

3.1

EV / EBITDA

10.8

5-Year Average P/E

DIVIDEND

Yield

1.30%

Annual Payout

$0.80

Payout Ratio

24.00%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

0

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

5.90%

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$3.33

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$4.49

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

3.50%

Return on Equity (ROE)

16.80%

Operating Margin

10.60%

Debt-to-Equity

1.3

Piotroski F-Score

7

Altman Z-Score

2.5

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

9.50%%

Current Ratio

1.1

Quick Ratio

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

BALL trades at 18.9x earnings and 13.9x forward earnings, implying a meaningful earnings inflection, yet the 2.2 forward PEG suggests growth is not cheap relative to expectations. The 2.5 Altman Z-Score places it in a gray zone—not distressed, but not fortress-grade either—while a 7 Piotroski F-Score signals solid operational footing. At a $16,578M market cap with a 16.80% operating margin and 9.50% ROIC, this is a stable but not elite compounder. The market appears to be pricing in moderate improvement rather than structural acceleration; it’s not screamingly mispriced, but the forward multiple compression suggests investors expect better earnings durability ahead.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

As a Packaging & Containers company in the Consumer Cyclical sector, BALL’s AI exposure is indirect, centered more on operational efficiency than product disruption. Modern tech adoption would likely show up in margin expansion through automation, logistics optimization, and manufacturing analytics rather than top-line transformation. Its resilience lies in physical product demand, but technological leverage will determine whether operating margins expand beyond the current 16.80%.

The Bull Case

A GARP investor sees a 13.9 forward P/E paired with a 9.50% ROIC and a 7 Piotroski F-Score and immediately recognizes operational stability with improving earnings power. The 16.80% operating margin in a capital-intensive industry signals pricing discipline and cost control, while a 3.50% ROE leaves room for efficiency gains if capital allocation improves. Institutional ownership at 70.92% suggests serious money sees durability here, and a 1.3% yield with a modest $0.80 payout ratio indicates dividends are not stretching the balance sheet. With short interest at only 5.90%, there is no aggressive bearish consensus, reinforcing the idea that this is a steady compounder poised for forward earnings normalization.

The Bear Case

The red flags are clear: a 10.60% Debt/Equity ratio combined with a 2.5 Altman Z-Score puts BALL closer to balance sheet mediocrity than strength. A 2.2 forward PEG means growth is not cheap, especially with ROE at just 3.50%, which is uninspiring relative to the 3.1 price-to-book multiple. The current ratio of 1.1 offers limited liquidity cushion, and the market is paying 1.3x sales for a cyclical business with only moderate growth implied. If forward earnings estimates falter, the compression from 18.9x to 13.9x forward P/E could reverse quickly, exposing downside risk.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

1.90%

Analyst Consensus

1.73

Average Analyst Price Target

$70.92

Institutional Ownership %

90.20%

1-Year Beta

0.5

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

0.30%%

Distance to 52-Week High

91.20%%

Distance to 52-Week Low

139.00%%