Packaging Corporation of America Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO of Packaging Corporation of America

“We executed very well across all aspects of our operations, resulting in very strong earnings performance for the quarter despite continued cost headwinds from freight, recycled fiber and chemicals and some weakness in agricultural end markets in our corrugated business. Our mills ran at full capacity during the quarter, and we are meaningfully realizing production benefits from projects at our Jackson mill as well as improved operating performance at the acquired Greif mills. We managed to build sufficient inventory to put us in position to efficiently supply our corrugated operations in the fourth quarter and help us continue to mitigate escalating freight costs. Our white paper operations turned in another excellent quarter, with higher than expected sales volumes, strong price realization and safe and successful completion of the maintenance outage at the International Falls mill.”

Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO of Packaging Corporation of America

“Looking ahead as we move from the third quarter into the fourth quarter, we expect solid corrugated products demand with some seasonal improvement. Shipments per day are expected to be at or around last year’s fourth quarter level with two fewer shipping days than the third quarter and total shipments are expected to be higher than the third quarter. Prices for containerboard and corrugated products are expected to improve as we continue to implement earlier price increases, but corrugated products mix will be seasonally weaker with higher e-commerce volumes. Containerboard production will be lower with maintenance outages at three of our mills, and mill maintenance outage expenses, including the impact on production volume from fourth quarter outages, will be significantly higher in the fourth quarter. We expect seasonally lower volume and slightly higher prices in the Paper segment. We expect freight costs to increase with diesel fuel prices increasing above third quarter levels. We also expect costs for recycled fiber to continue to increase as well as higher wood fiber costs due to winter yields and mill mix. Costs for chemicals and energy will increase due to higher prices and higher seasonal energy usage. Considering these items, we expect fourth quarter earnings of $2.81 per share, excluding special items.”