Aug. 4, 2026 - Graphic Packaging Holding Company today reported second quarter 2026 results.
Net Sales in second quarter 2026 were $2,188 million, versus $2,204 million in second quarter 2025. Net Income in second quarter 2026 was $24 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, versus Net Income of $104 million, or $0.34 per diluted share in second quarter 2025. Second quarter 2026 and 2025 Net Income were impacted by a net charge from non-recurring and special items and amortization of purchased intangibles of $17 million and $24 million, respectively. Excluding non-recurring and special items and amortization of purchased intangibles, Adjusted Net Income for the second quarter of 2026 was $41 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, and $128 million, or $0.42 per diluted share in second quarter 2025.
"We continued to execute against our near-term strategic priorities and delivered solid second quarter performance, with Adjusted EBITDA at the top of our guidance range despite greater than anticipated inflation," said Robbert Rietbroek, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our business demonstrated resilience, with both sales and volumes increasing in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. We are beginning to realize the benefits of our productivity initiatives, disciplined cost management, and improving operational efficiencies, which helped mitigate higher than expected inflationary pressures in the quarter. As a result, we achieved 50 basis points of sequential Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in the second quarter relative to the first quarter."
"In response to incremental inflation, we implemented additional productivity, cost reduction, and pricing initiatives. The combination of these recent actions and our disciplined execution against strategic priorities positions us to drive continued sequential profitability and margin improvement in the second half of 2026 and provides positive momentum into next year."
Second quarter 2026 Net Sales decreased 1% to $2,188 million, versus $2,204 million in the same quarter last year. The $16 million decline was driven by a 1% decrease, or $27 million, in price, flat, or $2 million decrease, in volume/mix, partially offset by a $13 million favorable foreign exchange/other impact. Innovation Sales Growth in the second quarter was $40 million.
Second quarter 2026 EBITDA decreased 26% to $240 million from $323 million in the same quarter last year. Excluding the impact of business combinations and other non-recurring and special items, Adjusted EBITDA was $247 million versus $336 million in the same quarter last year. The $89 million decline in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by the impact of commodity input and operating cost inflation of $60 million, lower price of $27 million, lower volume/mix of $8 million, as well as an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $3 million, partially offset by positive Net Performance of $9 million. Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 11.3% in 2026, and 15.3% in 2025.
Total Debt (Long-Term, Short-Term and Current Portion) was $5,688 million in second quarter 2026 compared to $5,592 million in fourth quarter 2025 and $5,772 million in the first quarter 2026. Net Debt (Total Debt less Cash and Cash Equivalents) was $5,483 million in second quarter 2026 compared to $5,331 million in fourth quarter 2025 and $5,583 million in the first quarter 2026. The Company's second quarter 2026 Net Leverage Ratio was 4.7x compared to 3.8x in fourth quarter 2025.
Capital expenditures in second quarter 2026 were $83 million, versus $228 million in the same quarter last year.
The Company returned approximately $65 million to stockholders during the first six months of 2026 through regular dividends.
The Company now expects 2026 Net Sales at the high-end of the range of $8.4 billion to $8.6 billion, Adjusted EBITDA at the low-end of the range of $1.05 billion to $1.25 billion, and Adjusted EPS in the range of $0.65 to $0.90.
The Company now expects 2026 Adjusted Cash Flow in the range of $600 million to $700 million, and 2026 capital spending below $450 million.
Furthering our footprint optimization initiative, we completed the divestiture of our Croatia facility and announced plans to close our facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, to consolidate volumes across fewer facilities. Additionally, we notified employees of our intention to evaluate the potential closure of our site in Winsford, UK.
Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, designs and produces consumer packaging made primarily from renewable or recycled materials. The company operates a global network of design and manufacturing facilities serving the world's most widely recognized brands in food, beverage, foodservice, household, and other consumer products.
SOURCE: Graphic Packaging Holding Company