Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the industrial packaging stocks, including Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) and its peers.

Industrial packaging companies have built competitive advantages from economies of scale that lead to advantaged purchasing and capital investments that are difficult and expensive to replicate. Recently, eco-friendly packaging and conservation are driving customers preferences and innovation. For example, plastic is not as desirable a material as it once was. Despite being integral to consumer goods ranging from beer to toothpaste to laundry detergent, these companies are still at the whim of the macro, especially consumer health and consumer willingness to spend.

The 7 industrial packaging stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.6%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG)

Founded in 1959, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products as well as displays and package protection.

Packaging Corporation of America reported revenues of $2.37 billion, up 10.6% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EPS estimates.

Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “We achieved a first quarter record in shipments per day in our legacy corrugated operations. We saw continued demand improvement which, together with improved mix, drove our strong earnings performance for the quarter.”

Packaging Corporation of America delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 7.9% since reporting and currently trades at $221.55.

Read our full report on Packaging Corporation of America here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE: GPK)

Founded in 1991, Graphic Packaging (NYSE: GPK) is a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide range of products.

Graphic Packaging Holding reported revenues of $2.16 billion, up 1.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 9% since reporting. It currently trades at $10.42.

Is now the time to buy Graphic Packaging Holding? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

International Paper (NYSE: IP)

Established in 1898, International Paper (NYSE: IP) produces containerboard, pulp, paper, and materials used in packaging and printing applications.

International Paper reported revenues of $5.97 billion, up 1.2% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted a slight miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

International Paper delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $32.68.

Read our full analysis of International Paper’s results here.

Ball (NYSE: BALL)

Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE: BLL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.

Ball reported revenues of $3.60 billion, up 16.3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 8.1%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Ball scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 4% since reporting and currently trades at $58.46.

Read our full, actionable report on Ball here, it’s free.

Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN)

Established in 1987, Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN) is a supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, specializing in metal containers, closures, and plastic packaging.

Silgan Holdings reported revenues of $1.56 billion, up 6.4% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year EPS guidance beating analysts’ expectations.

The stock is up 2.1% since reporting and currently trades at $39.60.

Read our full, actionable report on Silgan Holdings here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.