📊 BALL Key Takeaways
Is BALL Corp (BALL) a Good Investment?
Ball Corp demonstrates solid revenue growth (11.6% YoY) and generates substantial free cash flow ($788M), supporting its dividend and debt servicing. However, the company faces concerning profitability pressures with extremely low gross margins (3.6%), deteriorating EPS (-74.6% YoY), and weak interest coverage (0.6x) that leaves minimal room for operational disruption in its cyclical metal packaging business.
Ball shows solid top-line growth and healthy cash generation, with $1.26B of operating cash flow and $788M of free cash flow supporting the business despite a capital-intensive model. However, core profitability is weak, with very thin 3.6% gross margin, 1.5% operating margin, and a highly concerning 0.6x interest coverage ratio, which makes the quality and durability of earnings look mixed rather than strong.
Why Buy BALL Corp Stock? BALL Key Strengths
- Strong revenue growth of 11.6% YoY indicating market demand resilience
- Solid free cash flow generation ($788M) providing financial flexibility
- Healthy ROE of 16.8% and ROA of 4.7% demonstrating capital efficiency
- Substantial operating cash flow ($1.3B) supporting capital investments and shareholder returns
- Revenue grew 11.6% year over year, indicating resilient demand and operating scale
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow remain solid, providing internal funding capacity
- ROE of 16.8% and positive net income show the company is still generating shareholder returns
BALL Stock Risks: BALL Corp Investment Risks
- Critically low gross margin of 3.6% with minimal pricing power in commodity metal cans market
- Interest coverage ratio of 0.6x indicates insufficient operating income to cover debt obligations, creating refinancing risk
- EPS collapsed 74.6% YoY despite revenue growth, suggesting significant cost pressures or unusual items
- High leverage ratio of 1.30x Debt/Equity with $7.1B long-term debt limits financial flexibility
- Weak quick ratio of 0.75x signals potential near-term liquidity constraints
- Low operating margin of 1.5% provides minimal cushion for market downturns or input cost spikes
- Core margins are extremely thin, leaving little room for cost inflation or execution issues
- Interest coverage of 0.6x suggests elevated debt-servicing pressure and weak earnings protection
- Diluted EPS fell 74.6% year over year, signaling poor earnings quality or material below-the-line volatility
Key Metrics to Watch
- Gross margin trend - critical indicator of pricing power and cost management in commodity business
- Interest coverage ratio - must improve above 1.5x to reduce refinancing risk
- Free cash flow sustainability - particularly capital intensity relative to operating cash generation
- Debt/Equity ratio progression - track deleveraging efforts to improve financial stability
- Operating margin expansion - necessary to justify the current leverage and debt burden
- Operating margin and interest coverage
- Free cash flow conversion versus net income
BALL Corp (BALL) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
BALL Corp presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.
BALL Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
BALL vs Materials Sector: How BALL Corp Compares
How BALL Corp compares to Materials sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is BALL Corp Stock Overvalued? BALL Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, BALL Corp has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Materials sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
BALL Corp Balance Sheet: BALL Debt, Cash & Liquidity
BALL Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: BALL Corp's revenue has remained relatively flat over the 5-year period, with a 5% decline. The most recent EPS of $2.23 reflects profitable operations.
BALL Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
BALL Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $3.1B | $199.0M | $0.65 |
| Q2 2025 | $3.0B | $159.0M | $0.51 |
| Q1 2025 | $2.9B | $179.0M | $0.63 |
| Q3 2024 | $3.1B | $199.0M | $0.64 |
| Q2 2024 | $3.0B | $159.0M | $0.51 |
| Q1 2024 | $2.9B | $180.0M | $0.56 |
| Q3 2023 | $3.6B | $204.0M | $0.64 |
| Q2 2023 | $3.6B | -$165.0M | $-0.55 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
BALL Corp Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
BALL SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for BALL Corp (CIK: 0000009389)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about BALL
What is the AI rating for BALL?
BALL Corp (BALL) has a Combined AI Rating of HOLD from Claude (HOLD) and ChatGPT (HOLD) with 70% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are BALL's key strengths?
Claude: Strong revenue growth of 11.6% YoY indicating market demand resilience. Solid free cash flow generation ($788M) providing financial flexibility. ChatGPT: Revenue grew 11.6% year over year, indicating resilient demand and operating scale. Operating cash flow and free cash flow remain solid, providing internal funding capacity.
What are the risks of investing in BALL?
Claude: Critically low gross margin of 3.6% with minimal pricing power in commodity metal cans market. Interest coverage ratio of 0.6x indicates insufficient operating income to cover debt obligations, creating refinancing risk. ChatGPT: Core margins are extremely thin, leaving little room for cost inflation or execution issues. Interest coverage of 0.6x suggests elevated debt-servicing pressure and weak earnings protection.
What is BALL's revenue and growth?
BALL Corp reported revenue of $13.2B.
Does BALL pay dividends?
BALL Corp pays dividends, with $220.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find BALL SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for BALL Corp (CIK: 0000009389) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is BALL's EPS?
BALL Corp has a diluted EPS of $3.30.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is BALL a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, BALL Corp has a HOLD rating with 70% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is BALL stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for BALL: ROE of 16.8% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 6.9% (sector avg: 10%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.
Should I buy BALL stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives BALL Corp a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is BALL's free cash flow?
BALL Corp's operating cash flow is $1.3B, with capital expenditures of $474.0M. FCF margin is 6.0%.
How does BALL compare to other Materials stocks?
Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin 6.9% (avg: 10%), ROE 16.8% (avg: 14%), current ratio 1.11 (avg: 1.6).