WESTMINSTER, Colo.,- Ball Corporation (NYSE: BALL) today reported, on a U.S. GAAP basis, second quarter 2023 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $173 million (including a net after-tax loss of $21 million, or 6 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items) or diluted earnings per share of 55 cents, on sales of $3.57 billion, compared to a net loss attributable to the corporation of $174 million (including a net after-tax loss of $437 million, or $1.37 per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable items, including the non-cash, long-lived asset impairment for the Russian beverage packaging operations) or a loss of 55 cents per diluted share, on sales of $4.13 billion in 2022.
* Highlights
* U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share of 55 cents vs. a loss of 55 cents in 2022; results include impact of 2022 business divestments
* Comparable diluted earnings per share of 61 cents vs. 82 cents in 2022; results include impact of 2022 business divestments
* Global beverage can shipments down 4.9%, excluding impact of 2022 Russian business divestment
* Aerospace backlog $2.6 billion; contracts won-not-booked $6.0 billion, an increase of $1 billion year-to-date
* Positioned to generate approximately $750 million of free cash flow, grow EVA, reduce leverage and return value to shareholders in 2023
* Reiterate ability to achieve $200 million of net inflation recovery and at least $150 million of cost savings in 2023
* In 2023, potential to achieve low end of long-term comparable diluted earnings per share growth goal of 10 to 15 percent, inclusive of divested Russian operating earnings headwind
Results for the first six months of 2023 were net earnings attributable to the corporation of $350 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, on sales of $7.06 billion compared to $272 million, or 84 cents per diluted share, on sales of $7.85 billion for the first six months of 2022.
Ball's second quarter and year-to-date 2023 comparable earnings per diluted share were 61 cents and $1.30, respectively, versus second quarter and year-to-date 2022 comparable earnings per diluted share of 82 cents and $1.59, respectively.
Details of segment comparable operating earnings, business consolidation and other activities, business segment descriptions and other non-comparable items can be found in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that accompany this news release. References to volume data represent units shipped. Year-over-year global and EMEA segment volume data exclude the impact of the Russian beverage can business sale completed in third quarter of 2022, unless specifically noted otherwise.
'We delivered strong second quarter results despite lower global volumes driven largely by a U.S. beer customer's brand disruption and tough year-over-year comparisons associated with 2022 business divestments and higher interest costs. Notable inflationary cost recovery, benefits of cost-out actions and a diversified customer mix as well as improved operational efficiencies across all business operations will significantly improve full-year results. Following a multi-year period of investment, organic growth and leveraging our team and unique technologies to win an even larger portfolio of mission critical space-based aerospace contracts, additional actions are being assessed real time to further position the business for all stakeholders' long-term success and accelerate our near-term return of value to Ball shareholders. We remain a trusted mission partner to our customers and colleagues and anticipate providing an update on the assessment in the second half,' said Daniel W. Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer.
Beverage Packaging, North and Central America
Beverage packaging, North and Central America, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2023 were $175 million on sales of $1.54 billion compared to $164 million on sales of $1.78 billion during the same period in 2022. Second quarter sales reflect lower shipments and the contractual pass through of lower aluminum costs favorably offset by incremental inflation recovery.
Second quarter segment comparable operating earnings increased year-over-year largely due to incremental inflation recovery and improved operational performance offset by 8.5 percent lower volumes driven by customer mix, particularly in the domestic mass beer category. Aluminum beverage cans continue to outperform other substrates in the current retail pricing and macroeconomic environment.
To maximize profitability and optimize low-cost production across our North American plant system during the current environment, the company will continue to prudently manage production output at certain locations to serve our customers' demand for innovative aluminum packaging. As a result of balancing supply/demand year-to-date and improvement in select customer demand trends late in the second quarter, inventory levels for coil aluminum and finished can inventories have largely normalized and full-year cash generation goals are on track. Fixed cost and SG&A savings, the contractual recovery of prior year inflationary costs and our ability to leverage the flexibility of manufacturing plant network to serve customers experiencing higher growth than anticipated are expected to improve year-over-year results, largely in the second half of 2023.
Beverage Packaging, EMEA
Beverage packaging, EMEA, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2023 were $98 million on sales of $920 million compared to $129 million on sales of $1.13 billion during the same period in 2022. Second quarter sales reflect lower year-over-year shipments due to the sale of the Russian operations during the third quarter of 2022 and the contractual pass through of lower aluminum costs. Historical results for the Russian operations will continue to be reflected in beverage packaging, EMEA segment results. See Note 1 'Business Segment Information' for additional information about the sale agreement and historical results.
Second quarter operating earnings reflect the year-over-year $40 million earnings headwind due to the sale of the Russian operations during the third quarter of 2022 and start-up costs for two new facilities, partially offset by inflationary cost recovery. Packaging mix shift to aluminum cans supported by ongoing packaging legislation in certain countries continues to be a driver of aluminum beverage packaging growth. Year-over-year second quarter segment volumes increased approximately 1 percent, excluding Russia, and were down 16.6 percent, including Russia.
The new Kettering, U.K., and Pilsen, Czech Republic, facilities concluded start-up activities in the quarter and production from the new can lines will enable accelerated volume growth for sustainable aluminum packaging across the region during the second half of 2023. During 2023, contractual recovery of 2022 inflation and cost savings are anticipated to offset the earnings headwind associated with the Russian business sale.
Beverage Packaging, South America
Beverage packaging, South America, segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2023 were $30 million on sales of $405 million compared to $52 million on sales of $534 million during the same period in 2022. Year-over-year sales reflect lower volumes and the contractual pass through of lower aluminum costs. Second quarter segment comparable operating earnings decreased year-over-year due to lower volumes and unfavorable regional product mix in Brazil.
Segment volumes decreased 5.1 percent in the second quarter. To maximize profitability and optimize low-cost production across our South American plant system, the company temporarily modified production output across certain facilities in its Brazilian footprint during the second quarter. As the year progresses, certain facilities will reinitiate production to prepare for the busy fourth quarter summer selling season. Across South America, multi-year customer initiatives to increase the use of sustainable aluminum packaging are expected to continue, and in Brazil, package mix shift to aluminum is expected to improve in the second half of 2023 due to more favorable aluminum price trends relative to 2022 levels.
Aerospace
Aerospace segment comparable operating earnings for second quarter 2023 were $54 million on sales of $499 million compared to $36 million on sales of $490 million during the same period in 2022. Backlog remained strong at $2.6 billion, and contracts won, but not yet booked into backlog, finished the quarter at $6.0 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion year-to-date. As previously disclosed, demand for Ball Aerospace's services and technologies is accelerating and, over the next several quarters, will transition into the company's total backlog.
Strong second quarter segment comparable operating earnings reflect new program wins, favorable operational performance and improving supply chain dynamics. The segment continues to leverage its talent, manufacturing and test capabilities, and its engineering and support workspace, to secure additional defense, climate change and Earth-monitoring contracts to provide mission-critical programs and technologies to U.S. government defense, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance customers.
During the second quarter, Ball Corporation announced that it is considering options that could better position its aerospace business to provide value to shareholders and customers. There is no certainty that any formal decision will be made. If and when appropriate, a further announcement will be made.
Non-reportable
In addition to undistributed corporate expenses, the results for the company's global aluminum aerosol business, beverage can manufacturing facilities in India, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar and the company's aluminum cup business continue to be reported in other non-reportable.
Second quarter 2023 results reflect higher year-over-year undistributed corporate expenses, partially offset by improved operational performance in the extruded aluminum aerosol business and the other non-reportable beverage can manufacturing facilities. Volume across the company's global extruded aluminum bottles and aerosol containers increased 3.2 percent during the quarter. During the quarter, the company's global aluminum aerosol customers and regional water and personal care brands continued to pursue next generation lightweight sustainable packaging solutions and expand usage of refillable aluminum bottles for certain venues. The company will execute incremental extruded aluminum bottle investments throughout the year to provide increased production capabilities to meet contracted growing customer demand.
Outlook
'Our teams are doing an excellent job of managing costs and working capital, while also assessing ways to unlock value across all of our businesses. EVA is core to our capital allocation strategy and employing the best positioned, low-cost average invested capital base is key. As a result of multiple disciplined actions over the past 18 months to address costs, capital and growth, we remain well-positioned to deliver free cash flow of approximately $750 million in 2023. Looking ahead, the reduction of capital expenditures to depreciation levels will increase free cash flow generation, allow for additional deleveraging and accelerate return of value to shareholders via share buybacks and dividends in 2024 and beyond,' said Scott C. Morrison, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
'Maximizing returns, improving free cash conversion, driving organic growth by leveraging sustainability and innovation tailwinds and being good stewards of our capital are our core areas of focus. We look forward to driving a circular economy through the broader use of sustainable aluminum packaging and exquisite environmental, aerospace and defense technologies to preserve our planet and achieve the best outcomes for our stakeholders. Despite higher interest costs, year-to-date demand trends and the Russian business divestment headwind, the potential remains for us to achieve our long-term comparable diluted earnings per share growth goal of 10 to 15 percent, improve EVA generation, and increase cash flow to deleverage and return value to shareholders in 2023 and beyond,' Fisher said.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 21,000 people worldwide and reported 2022 net sales of $15.35 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
Conference Call Details
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BALL) will hold its second quarter 2023 earnings call today at 9 a.m. Mountain time (11 a.m. Eastern). The North American toll-free number for the call is 800-954-1053. International callers should dial +1 212-231-2903. Please use the following URL for a webcast of the live call:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/vjxntzs8
For those unable to listen to the live call, a taped replay will be available from 11 a.m. Mountain time on August 3, 2023, until 11 a.m. Mountain time on August 10, 2023. To access the replay, call 800-633-8284 (North American callers) or +1 402-977-9140 (international callers) and use reservation number 22027409. A written transcript of the call will be posted within 48 hours of the call's conclusion to Ball's website at www.ball.com/investors under 'news and presentations.'
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains 'forward-looking' statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'estimates,' 'believes,' and similar expressions typically identify forward-looking statements, which are generally any statements other than statements of historical fact. Such statements are based on current expectations or views of the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied. You should therefore not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements and they should be read in conjunction with, and qualified in their entirety by, the cautionary statements referenced below. Ball undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be different are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in Ball's Form 10-K, which are available on Ball's website and at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) Ball's packaging segments include product capacity, supply, and demand constraints and fluctuations and changes in consumption patterns; availability/cost of raw materials, equipment, and logistics; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather and related events such as drought, wildfires, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods; footprint adjustments and other manufacturing changes, including the startup of new facilities and lines; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions; unfavorable mandatory deposit or packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation; power and supply chain interruptions; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; inability to pass through increased costs; war, political instability and sanctions, including relating to the situation in Russia and Ukraine and its impact on Ball's supply chain and its ability to operate in Europe, the Middle East and Africa regions generally; changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; and tariffs, trade actions, or other governmental actions, including business restrictions and orders affecting goods produced by Ball or in its supply chain, including imported raw materials; b) Ball's aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) Ball as a whole include those listed above plus: the extent to which sustainability-related opportunities arise and can be capitalized upon; changes in senior management, succession, and the ability to attract and retain skilled labor; regulatory actions or issues including those related to tax, environmental, social and governance reporting, competition, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. Federal Drug Administration and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in Ball's containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; the ability to manage cyber threats; litigation; strikes; disease; pandemic; labor cost changes; inflation; rates of return on assets of Ball's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental policies, including policies, orders, and actions related to COVID-19; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting Ball's debt; and successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, and their effects on Ball's operating results and business generally.
Condensed Financial Statements (Second Quarter 2023): see full results at:
https://www.ball.com/newswire/article/124186/ball-reports-second-quarter-2023-results
BALL CORPORATION 
