Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN) and the best and worst performers in the industrial packaging industry.
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 Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.8%.
Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 7.3% on average since the latest earnings results.
Slowest Q3: 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 $2.04 billion, up 1.6% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance beating analysts’ expectations.
"As Silgan embarks upon the next chapter in our value creation journey through our recently announced portfolio transformation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to compete and win in the markets we serve by meeting the unique needs of our customers and being the best at what we do. As a result, we believe we are uniquely positioned to outperform the markets we serve and grow our strategic partnerships with new and existing customers,” said Adam Greenlee, President and CEO. “As we begin to reposition our segments and align to the unique priorities we have defined for each business, we believe our Company is poised to create meaningful value for shareholders as a result of our disciplined capital deployment model and intense focus on execution.”
Silgan Holdings delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. Interestingly, the stock is up 9.8% since reporting and currently trades at $41.64.
Read our full report on Silgan Holdings here, it’s free.
Best Q3: Ball (NYSE: BALL)
Started with a $200 loan in 1880, Ball (NYSE: BALL) manufactures aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products as well as aerospace systems and other technologies.
Ball reported revenues of $4.19 billion, up 23.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 10.8%. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
Ball delivered the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 1.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $66.89.
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 $2.60 billion, up 12.5% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a mixed quarter as it posted a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Interestingly, the stock is up 4.1% since the results and currently trades at $248.77.
Read our full analysis of Packaging Corporation of America’s results here.
Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK)
Formerly Crown Cork & Seal, Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK) produces packaging products for consumer marketing companies, including food, beverage, household, and industrial products.
Crown Holdings reported revenues of $3.71 billion, up 15.9% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 8.5%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 6.1% since reporting and currently trades at $121.86.
Read our full, actionable report on Crown Holdings here, it’s free.
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 $2.19 billion, flat year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 23.6% since reporting and currently trades at $11.55.
Read our full, actionable report on Graphic Packaging Holding here, it’s free.
Market update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
