"Despite cautious ordering patterns from customers, corrugated products volume was solid and steady throughout the quarter, with per day shipments exceeding the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025." – Mark Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, PCA.
July 23, 2025 - Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) today reported second quarter 2025 net income of $242 million, or $2.67 per share, and net income of $224 million, or $2.48 per share, excluding special items. Second quarter net sales were $2.2 billion in 2025 and $2.1 billion in 2024.
Reported earnings in the second quarter of 2025 include special items primarily for gains from the sale of real estate in connection with the disposal of corrugated products facilities that were previously closed, partially offset by costs related to the pending Greif containerboard business acquisition.
Excluding special items, the $.28 per share increase in second quarter 2025 earnings compared to the second quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by higher prices and mix in the Packaging segment $.98, lower fiber costs $.13, higher prices and mix in the Paper segment $.04 and lower tax rate $.02. These items were partially offset by higher operating costs ($.30), higher maintenance outage expense ($.21), lower production and export sales volume in the Packaging Segment ($.13), higher depreciation expense ($.10), higher fixed and other expense ($.09), lower volume in the Paper segment ($.02), higher freight expense ($.02) and higher interest expense ($.02).
Results were $.07 above second quarter guidance of $2.41 per share primarily due to lower operating costs and fiber costs.
In the Packaging segment, total corrugated products shipments were up 1.7% per day and flat overall compared to the second quarter of 2024, with one additional workday in 2024. Containerboard production was 1,195,000 tons, and containerboard inventory was up 38,000 tons from the end of the second quarter of 2024 and down 17,000 tons compared to the end of the first quarter of 2025. In the Paper segment, sales volume was down 5% from the second quarter of 2024 and 7% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, "We operated very well during the quarter, delivering strong earnings and cash flows as well as higher margins in the Packaging segment. Pricing in the Packaging segment was consistent with expectations as we fully realized our earlier announced price increases.
"Despite cautious ordering patterns from customers, corrugated products volume was solid and steady throughout the quarter, with per day shipments exceeding the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
"As expected, export containerboard sales were lower. We ran our containerboard mills to meet demand and drew down inventory to end at targeted levels.
"The Paper segment delivered another profitable quarter with strong margin performance, as we realized our earlier price increases.
"We continued to successfully manage costs across all of our operations, executing our capital projects and efficiency initiatives, which have helped offset inflation."
"Looking ahead as we move from the second and into the third quarter," Kowlzan added, "while our corrugated products customers have remained cautious into July as economic uncertainty persists, we expect higher corrugated shipments, which will drive increased containerboard production. Export containerboard sales will be lower due to the effects of the global trade environment. We will build some containerboard inventory ahead of our fourth quarter maintenance outage at the DeRidder mill.
"We expect prices and mix in the Packaging segment to be relatively flat. We also expect flat pricing in the Paper segment and expect production and sales to increase with the International Falls mill outage completed in the second quarter and seasonal back-to-school orders. We have no scheduled maintenance outages during the third quarter and expect maintenance outage expense to be lower. Freight costs will be higher with the full effect of rail rate increases at our mills. Operating costs will be near second quarter levels and fiber costs will be slightly lower. Considering these items, we expect third quarter earnings of $2.80 per share, excluding special items.
"Our guidance does not include any possible impact from the pending acquisition of the Greif containerboard business, which is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including regulatory approval," Kowlzan concluded.
PCA noted, "We present our earnings expectation for the upcoming quarter excluding special items as special items are difficult to predict and quantify and may reflect the effect of future events. We expect to incur acquisition and integration related costs for our pending acquisition of the Greif containerboard business during the third quarter; however, additional special items may arise due to third quarter events."
PCA (NYSE: PKG) is the third largest producer of containerboard products and a leading producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. PCA operates eight mills and 85 corrugated products plants and related facilities.
SOURCE: Packaging Corporation of America (PCA)