Looking back on industrial packaging stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE: GPK) 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. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

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. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 5.1%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

"First quarter results were strong relative to expectations as we delivered towards the high end of our guidance, driven by the hard work of our talented global team and their disciplined execution" said Robbert Rietbroek, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 17.4% since reporting and currently trades at $11.22.

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

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, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.1%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Ball achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 10.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $54.62.

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

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, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EPS estimates.

Packaging Corporation of America delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 6.6% since the results and currently trades at $218.88.

Read our full analysis of Packaging Corporation of America’s results here.

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. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded EPS in line with analysts’ estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

International Paper had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $33.50.

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

Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY)

Founded as Kum Kleen Products, Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) is a manufacturer of adhesive materials, display graphics, and packaging products, serving various industries.

Avery Dennison reported revenues of $2.30 billion, up 7% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. More broadly, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but EPS guidance for next quarter slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 3.5% since reporting and currently trades at $159.19.

Read our full, actionable report on Avery Dennison 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.

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