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Mar 31, 2020

PCA Q1 2020 Earnings Report

PCA reported first quarter results, driven by strong demand in the Packaging segment.

Key Takeaways

Packaging Corporation of America reported first quarter net income of $142 million, or $1.49 per share. Excluding special items, net income was $143 million, or $1.50 per share. First quarter net sales were $1.7 billion, the same as the prior year.

Record first quarter volume in containerboard mills.

All-time quarterly volume record in corrugated products plants.

Containerboard inventory was at the lowest level since the acquisition of the Boise packaging business.

Demand surge experienced in the Packaging business in the first quarter, with the second quarter beginning strong as well.

Total Revenue
$1.71B
Previous year: $1.73B
-1.4%
EPS
$1.5
Previous year: $1.98
-24.2%
Containerboard Production
1.05M
Gross Profit
$365M
Previous year: $421M
-13.4%
Cash and Equivalents
$764M
Previous year: $442M
+72.7%
Free Cash Flow
$166M
Previous year: $157M
+5.7%
Total Assets
$7.35B
Previous year: $6.93B
+6.0%

PCA

PCA

PCA Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Due to the uncertain scope and duration of the pandemic, and the timing of the global recovery and economic normalization, PCA is not able to properly quantify guidance for the second quarter.

Positive Outlook

  • Products are essential to the response efforts, recovery, and well-being of the country.
  • The need for cost-effective, sustainable, and renewable products will continue.
  • Demand surge in Packaging business in the first quarter, and the second quarter has also begun quite strong.
  • Containerboard inventory at the end of the first quarter was at the lowest levels.
  • Position as a primarily virgin fiber producer minimizes the impact of recycled fiber prices compared to other producers.

Challenges Ahead

  • Uncertain scope and duration of the pandemic.
  • Timing of the global recovery and economic normalization is unknown.
  • Demand in certain end markets will return to more normal growth trends at some point.
  • Impossible to predict what additional health-related measures will be or must be taken.
  • Such events and actions could adversely impact the operation of facilities and the availability of services and products from suppliers.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income