Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“Graphic Packaging” or the “Company”), a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, reported second quarter 2025 results.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Waco, Texas recycled paperboard investment on track for Q4 2025 startup
• Packaging volumes +1%
• Innovation Sales Growth of $61 million
• Recycled Materials Association adds paper cups to recycling specifications
• $111 million share repurchase reduced outstanding shares by 1.6%

Net Income in second quarter 2025 was $104 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, versus $190 million, or $0.62 per diluted share in second quarter 2024. Second quarter 2025 and 2024 Net Income was impacted by special items and amortization of purchased intangibles of $24 million net charge and $7 million net gain, respectively. Excluding special items and amortization of purchased intangibles, Adjusted Net Income for the second quarter of 2025 was $128 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, and $183 million, or $0.60 per diluted share in second quarter 2024.

Michael Doss, the Company’s President and CEO said, “Promotional activity drove modestly better than expected volumes in the second quarter. Conversations with our customers suggest potential for increased emphasis on volume growth and protecting share in the year ahead. As these customers refine their strategies, we are working closely with them to support their plans.

With our Waco, Texas recycled paperboard investment nearing completion, our capital spending will decline sharply in 2026, and we expect to generate cash well in excess of our internal needs for years to come. We expect to return substantial cash to stockholders through dividends and share repurchase, and reach investment grade over time. Investments like Waco and Kalamazoo, and our world-class innovation platform have positioned Graphic Packaging as the supplier of choice for many of the world’s largest consumer staples companies, quick service restaurants, and retailers.”

Operating Results

Net Sales

Second quarter 2025 Net Sales decreased 1% to $2,204 million, versus $2,237 million in the same quarter last year. The $33 million decline was driven by a $40 million impact from the divestiture of the Augusta, GA bleached paperboard manufacturing facility and reduced open market sales participation, partially offset by a $20 million favorable foreign exchange impact, while modest price pressure was partially offset by a modest volume increase.

EBITDA

Second quarter 2025 EBITDA decreased 29% to $323 million. Excluding the impact of business combinations and other special items, Adjusted EBITDA was $336 million versus $402 million in the same quarter last year. The decline in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by a $23 million decrease in price; $26 million of labor and benefits inflation; $10 million of input cost inflation; and a $5 million decrease relating to the divestiture of the Augusta, GA bleached paperboard manufacturing facility and reduced open market sales participation. Net Performance was negative, as actions taken to reduce inventory and related production inefficiencies more than offset the positive impact from modestly better packaging volumes (together a net negative $13 million). Foreign exchange had a favorable impact of $11 million. Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 15.3% in 2025, and 18.0% in 2024.

Other Results

Total Debt (Long-Term, Short-Term and Current Portion) was $5,859 million in second quarter 2025 compared to $5,209 million in fourth quarter 2024. Net Debt (Total Debt less Cash and Cash Equivalents) was $5,739 million in second quarter 2025 compared to $5,052 million in fourth quarter 2024. The Company’s second quarter 2025 Net Leverage Ratio was 3.7x compared to 3.0x in fourth quarter 2024.

Capital expenditures in second quarter 2025 were $228 million, versus $249 million in the same quarter last year.

The Company returned approximately $177 million to stockholders during the first six months of 2025 through regular dividends and share repurchase activity. During the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.6%, or approximately 5.0 million shares of its common stock outstanding, for $111 million. Regular dividends of approximately $33 million and $33 million were paid in the first and second quarter, respectively.

2025 Annual Guidance and Commentary

The Company currently expects full-year 2025 Net Sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS, including foreign exchange impact, of $8.4 billion to $8.6 billion, $1.45 billion to $1.55 billion, and $1.90 to $2.20, respectively. The changes from prior guidance reflect actual first half performance and a narrowing of and modest increase in second half revenue expectations. Volume and market uncertainty remain higher than normal.

Full-year 2025 capital spending is currently expected to be approximately $850 million. The increase in expected capital spending reflects higher final design and construction costs at the Company’s Waco, Texas recycled paperboard facility. These higher costs are not expected to materially affect total project returns. The Company expects the increased spending to be offset by lower cash taxes and reduced working capital, leaving expected 2025 free cash flow unchanged.

Innovation Sales Growth, Net Performance, and Non-GAAP Reconciliations

We define Innovation Sales Growth as incremental sales of a product that delivers a significant change in materials used, package functionality, or design to a new or existing customer. We define Net Performance as the impact of cost and productivity initiatives, production efficiencies and/or disruptions, and other operating impacts. A tabular reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities, Adjusted Cash Flow, Net Debt and Net Leverage is attached to this release.

For full results click here.

About Graphic Packaging Holding Company

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, designs and produces consumer packaging made primarily from renewable or recycled materials. An industry leader in innovation, the Company is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of consumer packaging. Graphic Packaging 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. Learn more at www.graphicpkg.com.

Source: Graphic Packaging Holding Company