By Rob Curran

Aluminum-can maker Ball swung to a fourth-quarter profit on robust sales growth and forecast more profit increases this year as demand grew and the manufacturer passed on higher metals costs to customers.

Ball swung to a profit of $200 million, or 75 cents a share, from a loss of $32 million, or 11 cents a share, a year earlier.

Stripping out certain one-off items, adjusted earnings were 91 cents a share, edging the average analyst estimate of 90 cents a share, as per FactSet.

Sales rose 16% to $3.35 billion, handily beating the mean Wall Street target of $3.11 billion, as per FactSet.

The company, which made its name dealing in mason jars, said global aluminum packaging shipments rose 6% in the fourth quarter.

For 2026, the Westminster, Colorado, can maker forecast comparable earnings per-share growth of 10% or more and free cash flow greater than $900 million.

In December, Ball agreed to buy a majority stake in Belgian beer-can maker Benepack.

Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 03, 2026 06:26 ET (11:26 GMT)

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