Top paper & packaging stocks to watch this earnings season, per Citi By Investing.com
Citi analysts highlighted top Paper and Packaging picks ahead of Q2 earnings. Crown Holdings (CCK) is expected to post EPS $2.20 vs $2.15 consensus, with beverage can volumes up 4.3% YoY and 2026 guidance reiterated. Sonoco (SON) EPS $1.52 vs $1.43, EBITDA $333M. Packaging Corp (PKG) EPS $2.30 vs $2.32, and Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMBP) EPS $0.06 vs $0.05.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The main tradable element is the earnings calendar and Citi’s specific EPS/EBITDA and guidance expectations, which can drive pre-earnings positioning and post-print repricing.
Market read
This is a multi-name earnings-season watchlist anchored to Citi forecasts and guidance stances, useful for setting expectations and risk levels into the prints.
What to watch
The article does not quantify containerboard or solid bleached sulfate cost dynamics, so traders may be missing the key swing factor for margin delivery versus revenue/volume.
Background
Citi highlighted top picks in the Paper and Packaging sector ahead of Q2 earnings season, focusing on beverage can and containerboard producers and expecting management to reiterate 2026 outlooks.
Ticker impact
Citi expects Crown Holdings to report Q2 earnings Monday after the close, modeling EPS $2.20 vs $2.15 consensus and reiteration of 2026 guidance.
Likely modest volatility around the Q2 print as traders weigh Citi’s EPS/EBITDA assumptions versus the market’s guidance expectations.
The article provides explicit Citi forecasts and guidance range expectations, but it is still a preview and includes no new post-print datapoint for CCK within the text.
Citi’s second-best packaging pick, Sonoco, is scheduled to report Q2 earnings Wednesday after the close with Citi projecting EPS $1.52 vs $1.43 consensus.
Potential upside skew if results align with Citi’s EPS/EBITDA forecasts and pricing power commentary; downside risk if margins or volumes miss.
The text includes concrete EPS/EBITDA and guidance targets plus a stated US and Canada price increase, which can influence earnings expectations.
Citi projects Packaging Corporation of America EPS $2.30 vs $2.32 consensus for Q2, while noting corrugated shipments growth and that it may miss guidance.
Downside risk into the print if the guidance shortfall materializes; limited upside if results merely meet expectations.
The article provides explicit Citi estimates and flags a potential guidance miss, but it does not disclose a new company-specific event beyond the preview framing.
Citi expects Ardagh Metal Packaging to report Q2 earnings Thursday before the open, projecting EPS $0.06 vs $0.05 consensus and modestly higher 2026 EBITDA guidance.
If the company confirms the modest 2026 EBITDA lift, shares could react positively; otherwise, the move may fade quickly given the low EPS base.
The article gives forecasts and a guidance direction, but the magnitude is small and the preview nature limits conviction.
Market effects
Read-across for paper and packaging demand commentary, with emphasis on containerboard and beverage can pricing and how it may flow into earnings calls.
US-focused demand and pricing commentary (including US and Canada price increase for SON) may influence regional sentiment for packaging inputs.
Limited direct global catalyst; the article is primarily about US-listed producers’ earnings and guidance reiteration.
Counterpoint
Citi’s previews may underweight the risk that pricing actions do not fully translate into margins, especially if volumes or input costs diverge from expectations.
Key entities
- companyCrown Holdings
Citi’s third-ranked pick with modeled Q2 EPS $2.20 vs $2.15 consensus and expectation to reiterate 2026 guidance.
- companySonoco Products
Citi’s second-best packaging pick with modeled Q2 EPS $1.52 vs $1.43 consensus and expectation to reiterate full-year guidance.
- companyPackaging Corporation of America
Citi’s coverage is Neutral with modeled Q2 EPS $2.30 vs $2.32 consensus and mention of potential guidance shortfall.
- companyArdagh Metal Packaging
Citi expects Q2 EPS $0.06 vs $0.05 consensus and modestly higher 2026 EBITDA guidance.
