BALL Ball Corp - 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

General Risks

If we do not effectively manage change and growth, our business could be adversely affected.

Our future revenue and operating results will depend on our ability to effectively manage the anticipated growth of our business. We have experienced fluctuations in the growth in demand for our products and services in recent years and are rebalancing our operations, managing our headcount, and developing new and innovative product offerings to balance our supply positions with our customers’ requirements in each region. These circumstances have placed significant demands on our management as well as our financial and operational resources, and present several challenges, including:

rebalancing manufacturing capacity, maintaining quality and optimizing production;

identifying, attracting and retaining qualified personnel;

developing and retaining our global sales, marketing and administrative infrastructure and capabilities;

increasing our regulatory compliance capabilities, particularly in new lines of business;

addressing climate related risks and opportunities;

optimizing our expertise in a number of disciplines, including marketing, licensing, and merchandising; and

implementing appropriate operational, financial and IT systems and internal controls.

Our business, operating results and financial condition are subject to particular risks in certain regions of the world.

We may experience an operating loss in one or more regions of the world for one or more periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Moreover, overcapacity, which often leads to lower prices, may develop over time in certain regions in which we operate even if demand continues to grow. More generally, supply and demand fluctuations could make it difficult for us to forecast and meet certain customers’ needs. Our ability to manage such operational fluctuations and to maintain adequate long-term strategies in the face of such developments will be critical to our continued growth and profitability.

The loss of a key customer, or an adverse change in its requirements, could have a significant negative impact on our sales.

We sell a majority of our packaging products to a relatively limited number of major beverage, personal care and household product companies, some of which operate in multiple geographical markets we serve.

Although the majority of our customer contracts are long-term, these contracts, unless they are renewed, expire in accordance with their respective terms and are terminable under certain circumstances, such as our failure to meet quality, volume or market pricing requirements. Because we depend on a relatively limited number of major customers, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected by the loss of any of these customers, a reduction in the purchasing levels of these customers, a strike or work stoppage by a significant number of these customers’ employees or an adverse change in the terms of the supply agreements with these customers.

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We have a significant level of debt that could have important consequences for our business and any investment in our securities.

The company had $7.01 billion of debt at December 31, 2025. Such indebtedness could have significant consequences for our business and any investment in our securities, including:

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry or competitive developments;

requiring more of our cash flows from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thus limiting our cash flow available to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities or the return of cash to our shareholders;

restricting us from making additional acquisitions;

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may be less leveraged and who, therefore, may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our leverage prevents us from exploiting.

We face competitive risks from many sources that may negatively impact our profitability.

Competition within the packaging industry is intense. Increases in productivity, combined with potential surplus capacity, have maintained competitive pricing pressures. The principal methods of competition in the general packaging industry are price, innovation, sustainability, service and quality. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, technical and marketing resources, and some may currently have excess capacity. Our current or potential competitors may offer products at a lower price or products that are deemed superior to ours. The global economic environment has resulted in reductions in demand for our products in some instances, which, in turn, could increase these competitive pressures.

We are subject to competition from alternative products, which could result in lower profits and reduced cash flows.

Our aluminum packaging products are subject to significant competition from substitute products, particularly plastic carbonated soft drink bottles made from PET, single serve and returnable beer bottles and other beverage containers made of glass, cardboard or other materials. Competition from plastic carbonated soft drink bottles is particularly intense in the U.S. and Europe, and there is competition from glass beer bottles in Brazil. There can be no assurance that our products will successfully compete against alternative products, which could result in a reduction in our profits or cash flows.

Our packaging businesses have a narrow product range, and our business would suffer if usage of our products decreased or if decreases occur in the demand for the beverages and other goods filled in our products.

The majority of our consolidated net sales were from the sale of beverage containers, and we expect to derive a significant portion of our future revenues and cash flows from the sale of beverage containers. Our business would suffer if the use of beverage containers decreased. Accordingly, broad acceptance by consumers of aluminum containers for a wide variety of beverages is critical to our future success. If demand for glass and PET bottles increases relative to aluminum containers, or the demand for aluminum containers does not develop as expected, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

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Our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations are subject to risks resulting from broader geographic operations.

We derived approximately 53 percent of our consolidated net sales from outside of the U.S. for the year ended December 31, 2025. The sizeable scope of operations inside and outside of the U.S. may lead to more volatile financial results and make it more difficult for us to manage our business. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to, the following:

political and economic instability;

the continuation or escalation of global conflicts;

governments’ restrictive trade policies;

the imposition or rescission of duties, tariffs, taxes or government royalties;

exchange rate risks;

inflation of direct input costs;

virus and disease outbreaks and responses thereto; and

difficulties in enforcement of contractual obligations and intellectual property rights.

We are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.

The company’s financial results are exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations and a significant proportion of assets, liabilities and earnings are denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. The company presents its financial statements in U.S. dollars and has a significant proportion of its net assets, debt and income in non-U.S. dollar currencies, primarily the euro, as well as the currencies of Argentina, Egypt, Turkey and other emerging markets. The company’s financial results and capital ratios are therefore sensitive to movements in currency exchange rates.

We manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, particularly our exposure to fluctuations in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate to attempt to mitigate the effect of cash flow and earnings volatility associated with exchange rate changes. We primarily use derivative instruments to manage our currency exposures and, as a result, we experience gains and losses on these derivative positions, which are offset by the impact of currency fluctuations on existing assets and liabilities.

We are vulnerable to fluctuations and disruptions in the supply and price of raw materials, including increases in tariffs on imported goods.

We purchase aluminum and other raw materials and packaging supplies, including dunnage, from several sources. While all such materials and supplies are available from independent suppliers, they are subject to fluctuations in price and availability attributable to a number of factors, including general economic conditions, commodity price fluctuations (particularly aluminum on the London Metal Exchange), the demand by other industries for the same raw materials and the availability of complementary and substitute materials. Although we enter into commodities purchase agreements from time to time and sometimes use derivative instruments to seek to manage our risk, we cannot ensure that our current suppliers of raw materials will be able to supply us with sufficient quantities at reasonable prices. Economic, financial, and operational factors, including strikes or labor shortages, as well as governmental action, could impact our suppliers, thereby causing supply shortages. Increases in raw material costs, including potential increases due to tariffs, sanctions, or other trade actions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. For example, in September 2025, we received notice from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection challenging the tariff classification and applicable rate of duty of certain aluminum imports asserting additional duties and tariffs are payable, as well our use of certain exemptions. We intend to vigorously defend the matter. While the outcome of this matter is uncertain at this time, the company believes it is reasonably possible any such additional tariffs, interest and penalties could be owed and impact our results of operations. The company is unable to develop a reasonable estimate of loss at this time. The company has not recorded a reserve. Global supply chain disruptions can negatively impact our results. In the Americas, Europe and Asia, some contracts do not allow us to pass along increased raw material costs and we generally use derivative agreements to seek to manage this risk. Our hedging procedures may be insufficient and our results could be materially impacted if costs of materials increase. Due to the fixed-price contracts, increased prices could decrease our sales volume over time. The delayed timing in recovering the pass-through of increasing raw material costs may also impact our short-term profitability and certain costs due to price increases or supply chain inefficiencies may be unrecoverable, which would also impact our profitability.

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Net earnings and net assets could be materially affected by an impairment of goodwill.

We have a significant amount of goodwill recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025. We are required at least annually to test the recoverability of goodwill. If general market conditions deteriorate in portions of our business, we could experience a significant decline in the fair value of our reporting units. This decline could lead to an impairment of all or a significant portion of the goodwill balance, which could materially affect our U.S. GAAP net earnings and net assets.

If the investments in Ball’s pension plans, or in the multi-employer pension plans in which Ball participates, do not perform as expected, we may have to contribute additional amounts to the plans, which would otherwise be available for other general corporate purposes.

Ball maintains defined benefit pension plans covering a significant portion of its current and former employees in the United States, which are funded based on certain actuarial assumptions. The plans’ assets consist primarily of common stocks, fixed-income securities and alternative investments. Market declines, longevity increases or legislative changes, such as the Pension Protection Act in the U.S., could result in a prospective decrease in our available cash flow and net earnings over time, and the recognition of an increase in our pension obligations could result in a reduction to our shareholders’ equity. Additional risks exist related to the company’s participation in multi-employer pension plans. Assets contributed to a multi-employer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer in a multi-employer pension plan stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participants. This could result in increases to our contributions to the plans as well as pension expense.

Restricted access to capital markets could adversely affect our short-term liquidity and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes issued pursuant to our bond indentures.

A reduction in global market liquidity could:

restrict our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities;

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including the credit risks stemming from the economic environment;

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and the industries in which we operate;

restrict us from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities; and

limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets, pay cash dividends or refinance debt maturities.

If market interest rates increase, our variable-rate debt and any need to refinance debt will create higher debt service requirements, which adversely affects our cash flows. While we sometimes enter into agreements limiting our exposure, any such agreements may not offer complete protection from this risk.

The global credit, financial and economic environment could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The overall credit, financial and economic environment could have significant negative effects on our operations, including:

the creditworthiness of customers, suppliers and counterparties could deteriorate resulting in a financial loss or a disruption in our supply of raw materials;

volatile market performance could affect the fair value of our pension assets, potentially requiring us to make significant additional contributions to our defined benefit pension plans to maintain prescribed funding levels;

a significant weakening of our financial position or operating results could result in noncompliance with our debt covenants; and

reduced cash flows from our operations could adversely affect our ability to execute our long-term strategy to repurchase our stock and invest in our businesses.

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Changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and SEC rules and regulations could materially impact our reported results.

U.S. GAAP and SEC accounting and reporting changes are common. These changes could have significant effects on our reported results when compared to prior periods and other companies and may even require us to retrospectively adjust prior periods. Additionally, material changes to the presentation of transactions in the consolidated financial statements could impact key ratios that investors, analysts and credit rating agencies use to assess or rate Ball’s performance and could ultimately impact our ability to access the credit markets in an efficient manner.

A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting could, if not remediated, result in material misstatements in our financial statements.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If a material weakness is identified, management could conclude that internal control over financial reporting is not effective based on criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission in “ Internal Control—An Integrated Framework (2013).” If a material weakness is identified, a remediation plan would be designed to address the material weakness. If remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weakness, or if additional material weaknesses in internal control are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results. As of December 31, 2025, the company had no material weaknesses.

We face risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and other outbreaks, which could adversely affect our business.

Health epidemics, pandemics and other outbreaks could give rise to circumstances that cause one or more of the following risk factors to occur:

We could lose key customers, customers could become insolvent or have a reduction in demand for our products and services;

We could be subject to changes in laws and governmental regulations that adversely affect our business and operations;

We could be subject to adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

We might lose key management and operating personnel;

We may be subject to disruptions in the supply or price of our raw materials;

We may face prolonged work stoppages at our facilities;

Our pension plan investments may not perform as expected, and we may be required to make additional contributions to our pension plans which would otherwise be available for other general corporate purposes;

Our access to capital markets may be restricted, which could adversely affect our short-term liquidity and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes issued pursuant to our bond indentures;

We may be subject to increased information technology (IT) security threats and reduced network access availability;

Our operations and those of our principal customers and suppliers could be designated as non-essential in key markets; and

A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting or a material misstatement in our financial statements could occur.

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Investment Risks

Our investments in acquisitions, joint ventures and new developments may include risks that could have an adverse impact on our business.

We make investments in the growth of our business through the development of new facilities, the improvement of existing facilities, the acquisition of assets or securities of other businesses and through joint venture arrangements. The realization of the expected benefits of these investments is based in part on our ability to cost effectively execute our development plans and, in certain instances, to integrate these investments with our business operations. If we fail to execute our development plans in a cost effective or timely manner or fail to integrate the investments with our existing operations, our internal controls over financial reporting or our information systems, we may experience increases in costs of operations, loss of customers or suppliers, difficulties servicing our debt obligations and our financial performance may not meet shareholder expectations. In addition, our final estimates of the fair value of any assets or liabilities acquired with the investments may be materially different from our initial estimates and the company may not fully realize the anticipated benefits of the investments.

Our investments in joint ventures include investments in companies that we may not control. The performance of these investments may change as a result of decisions that are made by our joint venture partners who have control over these joint ventures. In addition, we may be obligated under the joint venture arrangement to assume certain costs, perform certain services or make additional capital investments. If we are unable to realize the benefits of our joint venture and other investments, our business, our operating results and the financial condition of our business could be materially adversely affected.

Governmental and regulatory risks

Changes in laws and governmental regulations may adversely affect our business and operations.

We and our customers and suppliers are subject to various federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations, which have been increasing in number and complexity. Each of our, and their, facilities is subject to federal, state, provincial and local licensing and regulation by health, environmental, workplace safety and other agencies in multiple jurisdictions. Requirements and restrictions of worldwide governmental authorities with respect to manufacturing, manufacturing facility locations within the jurisdiction, product content and safety, climate change, workplace safety and health, environmental, expropriation of assets and other standards could adversely affect our ability to manufacture or sell our products, and the ability of our customers and suppliers to manufacture and sell their products. Federal, state and local regulations imposing taxes and restrictions on our customers products could adversely impact the purchasing levels by our customers. In addition, we face risks arising from compliance with and enforcement of numerous and complex federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations.

While deposit systems and other container-related legislation have been adopted in some jurisdictions, similar legislation has been defeated in public referenda and legislative bodies in many others. We anticipate that continuing efforts will be made to consider and adopt such legislation in the future. The packages we produce are widely used and perform well in U.S. states, Canadian provinces and European countries that have deposit systems, as well as in other countries worldwide.

Environmental, social and governance reporting requirements and other legislation and regulatory requirements exist and are also evolving. The compliance costs associated with current and proposed laws and potential regulations could be substantial, and any failure or alleged failure to comply with these laws or regulations could lead to litigation, governmental action or reputational damage, all of which could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Our business faces the potential of increased regulation on some of the raw materials utilized in our packaging operations.

Our operations are subject to federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions relating to some of the raw materials utilized in our container making process. Various U.S. states have passed or are contemplating legislation restricting, and the EU is reviewing a proposal to restrict, the use of materials that contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may require the company to continue to incur costs to convert

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existing coatings to accommodate PFAS-free coatings. To mitigate these risks, the company is working with its suppliers to require them to remove PFAS-containing coatings from our products.

Earnings and cash flows can be impacted by changes in tax laws.

As a U.S.-based multinational business, the company is subject to income tax in the U.S. and numerous jurisdictions outside the U.S., as well as recent OECD, European Commission and other trans-national initiatives that seek to impose minimum tax thresholds on most multi-national companies. The relevant tax rules and regulations are complex, often changing and, in some cases, are interdependent. If these or other tax rules and regulations should change, the company’s earnings and cash flows could be impacted.

The company’s worldwide provision for income taxes is determined, in part, through the use of significant estimates and judgments. Numerous transactions arise in the ordinary course of business where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The company undergoes tax examinations by various worldwide tax authorities on a regular basis. While the company believes its estimates of its tax obligations are reasonable, the final outcome after the conclusion of any tax examinations and any litigation could be materially different from what has been reflected in the company’s historical financial statements.

Technological risks

Decreases in our ability to develop or apply new technology and know-how may affect our competitiveness.

Our success depends partially on our ability to improve production processes and services. We must also introduce new products and services to meet changing customer needs. If we are unable to implement better production processes or to develop new products through research and development or licensing of new technology, we may not be able to remain competitive with other manufacturers. As a result, our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations could be adversely affected.

Increased information technology (IT) security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, products, solutions and services, as well as those of our suppliers and customers.

The company’s IT systems, or any third party’s system on which the company relies, as well as those of our suppliers and customers, could fail on their own accord or may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions or shutdowns, including interruptions or shutdowns due to natural disasters, power outages or telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks or failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software or hardware. Increased global IT security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime also pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data, as well as to the security and data of our suppliers and customers. The company has a number of shared service centers where many of the company’s IT systems are concentrated and any disruption at such a location could impact the company’s business within the operating zones served by the impacted service center.

While we attempt to mitigate all of these risks to our networks, systems and data by employing a number of measures, including employee training, comprehensive monitoring of our networks and systems, and maintenance of backup and protective systems, our systems, networks, products, solutions and services remain potentially vulnerable to advanced persistent threats or other IT disruptions. Depending on their nature and scope, such threats could potentially lead to the compromise of confidential information, improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, harm to individuals or property, contractual or regulatory actions and fines, penalties and potential liabilities, production downtimes and operational disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness and results of operations. Data privacy and protection laws are evolving and present increasing compliance challenges, which may increase our costs, affect our competitiveness and could expose us to substantial fines or other penalties.

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Human capital risks

If we fail to retain key management and personnel, we may be unable to implement our key objectives.

We believe our future success depends, in part, on our experienced management team. Unforeseen losses of key members of our management team without appropriate succession and/or compensation planning could make it difficult for us to manage our business and meet our objectives.

Prolonged work stoppages at facilities with union employees could jeopardize our financial position.

As of December 31, 2025, 20 percent of our North American employees and 33 percent of our European employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. These collective bargaining agreements have staggered expirations during the next several years. Although we consider our employee relations to be generally good, a prolonged work stoppage or strike at any facility with union employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. In addition, we cannot ensure that upon the expiration of existing collective bargaining agreements, new agreements will be reached without union action or that any such new agreements will be on terms satisfactory to us.

Environmental risks

Adverse weather and climate changes may result in lower sales.

We manufacture packaging products primarily for beverages. Unseasonable weather can reduce demand for certain beverages packaged in our containers. Climate changes and the increasing frequency of severe weather events could have various effects on the demand for our products, our supply chain and the costs of inputs to our production and delivery of products in different regions around the world. Our plants’ production may be prevented or curtailed due to severe or unanticipated weather and climate events.

Our business is subject to substantial environmental remediation and compliance costs.

Our operations are subject to federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions relating to environmental hazards, such as emissions to air, discharges to water, the handling and disposal of hazardous and solid wastes and the clean-up of hazardous substances. We have been designated, along with numerous other companies, as a potentially responsible party for the clean-up of several hazardous waste sites. Additionally, there is increased focus on the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues worldwide. We strive to mitigate such risks related to environmental issues, including through the purchase of renewable energy, the adoption of sustainable practices, and by positioning ourselves as a sustainability leader in our industry.

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (annual report), which include additional information about our accounting policies, practices and the transactions underlying our financial results. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, including various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, taxes, environmental and other matters arising during the normal course of business. We apply our best judgment, our knowledge of existing facts and circumstances and actions that we may undertake in the future in determining the estimates that affect our consolidated financial statements. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis using our historical experience, as well as other factors we believe appropriate under the circumstances, such as current economic conditions, and adjust or revise our estimates as circumstances change. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results may differ from these estimates. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to collectively as “Ball Corporation,” “Ball,” “the company,” “we” or “our” in the following discussion and analysis.

OVERVIEW

Business Overview and Industry Trends

Ball Corporation is one of the world’s leading aluminum packaging suppliers. With a growth mindset and by pursuing operational excellence, we lean on our competitive strengths to reach our financial goals. We are focused on maintaining our strong financial position by listening to and partnering with our global customers, delivering operational efficiencies and an innovative product portfolio from our best-in-class manufacturing facilities and returning value to shareholders via share repurchases and dividends. In the aluminum packaging industry, sales and earnings can be increased by reducing costs, increasing prices, developing new products, expanding volume and making strategic acquisitions.

We sell our aluminum packaging products mainly to large, multinational beverage, personal care and household products companies with which we have developed long-term relationships. This is evidenced by our high customer retention and our large number of long-term supply contracts. While we have a diversified customer base, we sell a significant portion of our packaging products to major companies and brands, as well as to numerous regional customers. The overall global aluminum packaging industry is growing and is expected to continue to grow in the medium to long term.

We purchase our raw materials from relatively few suppliers. We also have exposure to inflation, in particular the rising costs of raw materials, as well as other direct cost inputs. We mitigate our exposure to the changes in the costs of aluminum through the inclusion of provisions in contracts covering the majority of our volumes to pass-through aluminum price changes, as well as through the use of derivative instruments. The pass-through provisions generally result in proportional increases or decreases in sales and costs with a greatly reduced impact, if any, on net earnings; however, there may be timing differences of when the costs are passed through. Because of our customer and supplier concentration, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by the loss, insolvency or bankruptcy of a major customer or supplier or a change in a supply agreement with a major customer or supplier, although our contract provisions generally mitigate the risk of customer loss, and our long-term relationships represent a known, stable customer base.

From time to time, we have evaluated and expect to continue to evaluate possible transactions that we believe will benefit the company and our shareholders, which may include strategic acquisitions, divestitures of parts of our company or equity investments. At any time, we may be engaged in discussions or negotiations at various stages of development with respect to one or more possible transactions or may have entered into non-binding letters of intent. As part of any such initiatives, we may participate in processes being run by other companies or leading our own activities.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s discussion and analysis for our results of operations on a consolidated and segment basis include a quantification of factors that had a material impact. Other factors that did not have a material impact, but that are significant to understand the results, are qualitatively described.

Refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on February 20, 2025, for a comparison of our 2024 results of operations to the 2023 results. On February 16, 2024, the company completed the divestiture of its aerospace business. Effective as of the first quarter of 2024, the company reports its financial performance in three reportable segments: (1) beverage packaging, North and Central America; (2) beverage packaging, Europe, Middle East and Africa (beverage packaging, EMEA) and (3) beverage packaging, South America. See Note 1 for further information on the basis of presentation. As a result of the divestiture, prior periods disclosed herein reflect the aerospace business’ financial results as discontinued operations.

Consolidated Sales and Earnings

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Net sales

Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation

Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation as a % of net sales

Sales in 2025 increased $1.37 billion compared to 2024 primarily due to increases of $713 million from higher volume , $579 million from price mix, primarily from higher aluminum prices, and $177 million from currency translation.

Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation in 2025 decreased $3.10 billion compared to 2024 primarily due to decreases of $3.58 billion from discontinued operations, net of tax, $107 million from a higher provision for income taxes and $41 million from lower interest income in corporate undistributed expenses, net, partially offset by decreases in costs of $461 million from business consolidation and other activities, $82 million from lower incremental compensation costs related to the successful sale of the aerospace business in 2024 and $135 million from the results of the reportable segments discussed below .

When analyzing net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation as a percentage of net sales, it is important to note that net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation includes discontinued operations, net of tax resulting from the net sales attributable to the historical aerospace reportable segment through the date of the divestiture on February 16, 2024, that are now reported as discontinued operations. However, net sales attributable to the historical aerospace reportable segment are not included in the net sales figures in the table above.

Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, was $10.58 billion in 2025 compared to $9.35 billion in 2024. These amounts represented 80 percent and 79 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase year-over-year was primarily due to higher manufacturing costs, including higher raw materials costs of $1.09 billion, driven by higher aluminum prices and higher volume, and other items discussed in the reportable segments below.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense was $622 million in 2025 compared to $611 million in 2024. These amounts represented 5 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended 2025 and 2024.

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Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) was $566 million in 2025 compared to $647 million in 2024. These amounts represented 4 percent and 5 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to 2024 including $82 million of incremental cash bonuses and stock-based compensation cost from the successful sale of the aerospace business.

Business Consolidation and Other Activities

Business consolidation and other activities resulted in income of $41 million in 2025 compared to charges of $420 million in 2024. These amounts represented less than 1 percent and 4 percent of consolidated net sales for 2025 and 2024, respectively. The amounts in 2025 primarily include an $81 million gain related to the sale of the Saudi Arabian business and costs for previously announced facility closures and a loss related to the aluminum cups transaction. The 2024 amounts primarily relate to a $233 million noncash charge to adjust the carrying value of the aluminum cups business to its fair value less cost to sell and facility shutdown costs. Further details regarding business consolidation and other activities are provided in Note 6 .

Interest Income

Interest income was $30 million in 2025 compared to $68 million in 2024. These amounts represented less than 1 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended 2025 and 2024. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to the higher amount of cash on hand in 2024 from the sale of the aerospace business.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $314 million in 2025 compared to $293 million in 2024. Interest expense as a percentage of average borrowings decreased by approximately 30 basis points from 4.8 percent in 2024 to 4.5 percent in 2025. The interest expense increase was primarily driven by an increase of $42 million from a higher amount of weighted average principal outstanding during the year, resulting mainly from the issuance of new notes, partially offset by a decrease of $21 million from lower weighted average interest rates on outstanding debt during the year.

Tax Provision

The company’s effective tax rate is affected by recurring items such as income earned in non-U.S. jurisdictions with tax rates that differ from the U.S. tax rate and by discrete items that may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year.

The 2025 effective income tax rate was 21.3 percent compared to 24.9 percent for 2024. As compared with the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 21 percent, the 2025 effective income tax rate was reduced by 4.2 percent for the impact of tax holidays and by 2.0 percent for the sale of the Saudi Arabian business. This reduction was offset by an increase of 2.4 percent for non-U.S. tax rate differences, 2.0 percent for direct withholding taxes, net of credits, and 1.3 percent for state and local income taxes. While these items are expected to recur, the potential magnitude of each item is uncertain.

Further details of taxes on income are provided in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report.

RESULTS OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Segment Results

Ball’s operations are organized and reviewed by management along its product lines and geographical areas, and its operating results are presented in the three reportable segments discussed below.

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Beverage Packaging, North and Central America

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Net sales

Comparable operating earnings

Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales

Ball acquired an aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in Winter Haven, Florida, in the first quarter of 2025 as part of its acquisition of Florida Can Manufacturing and permanently ceased production at its aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in Kent, Washington, in the first quarter of 2024. See Note 4 for further details on the acquisition.

Segment sales in 2025 were $667 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to increases of $291 million from higher volume and $375 million from price/mix.

Comparable operating earnings in 2025 were $25 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to an increase of $98 million from higher volumes, partially offset by decreases of $49 million from higher costs and $23 million from price/mix .

Beverage Packaging, EMEA

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Net sales

Comparable operating earnings

Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales

Segment sales in 2025 were $517 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to increases of $251 million from higher volume, $171 million from currency translation and $103 million from price/mix .

Comparable operating earnings in 2025 were $79 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to increases of $75 million from higher volume and $42 million from price/mix, partially offset by $62 million higher costs.

Beverage Packaging, South America

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Net sales

Comparable operating earnings

Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales

Segment sales in 2025 were $211 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to increases of $136 million from higher volume and $73 million from price/mix.

Comparable operating earnings in 2025 were $31 million higher compared to 2024 primarily due to an increase of $52 million from higher volume and $39 million from price/mix, partially offset by a decrease of $60 million from higher costs.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

For information regarding the company’s significant accounting policies, as well as recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report.

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The company considers certain accounting estimates to be critical, as their application is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations. Detailed below is a discussion of why, to the extent the estimate is material, these estimates are subject to uncertainty and the sensitivity of the reported amounts to the methods and assumptions underlying the estimate’s calculation.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The company has defined benefit plans which require management to make assumptions relating to the long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rates used to determine the present value of future obligations and expenses, salary inflation rates, mortality rates and other assumptions. The company believes the accounting estimates related to its pension plans are critical accounting estimates because several of the company’s defined benefit plans have significant asset and liability balances, and because the assumptions used are highly susceptible to change from period to period based on the performance of plan assets, actuarial valuations, market conditions and contracted benefit changes. These assumptions do not change during the company’s fiscal year unless a remeasurement event occurs in one of the plans, such as a significant settlement. The assumptions used in accounting for the company’s defined benefit plans and how they have changed over time, as well as the sensitivity of the plans to changes in their related assumptions, can be found in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operating activities and external borrowings. We believe that cash flows from operating activities, even in the absence of operating cash flows from the historical aerospace reportable segment, and cash provided by short-term, long-term and committed revolver borrowings, when necessary, will be sufficient to meet our ongoing operating requirements, scheduled principal and interest payments on debt, dividend payments, anticipated share repurchases and anticipated capital expenditures. The following table summarizes our cash flows:

Years Ended December 31,

($ in millions)

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

Cash flows from the historical aerospace reportable segment are presented within each cash flow statement category in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Depreciation and amortization, capital expenditures and significant operating and investing noncash items of the aerospace discontinued operation are presented in Note 4 .

Cash flows provided by operating activities were $1.26 billion in 2025, primarily driven by earnings from continuing operations of $915 million, along with reconciling adjustments to operating cash flows of $478 million and working capital outflows of $131 million. We have estimated a total cash tax of $830 million for the sale of the aerospace business, of which $766 million was paid in 2024 and $168 million was paid in 2025. In January 2026, the company received a refund of $104 million related to these payments. See Note 4 for further details. In a dynamic economic environment, payment terms with our customers and vendors become a more important element of total mix of information used to negotiate our contract terms. At December 31, 2025, a change of one day in days sales outstanding will impact cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities by $37 million, a change of one day in days payable outstanding will impact cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities by $30 million and a change of one day in days inventory on hand will impact cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities by $30 million.

Cash flows used in investing activities were $656 million in 2025, primarily driven by capital expenditures of $474 million, $160 million of cash consideration used for the acquisition of Florida Can Manufacturing and $99 million of derivative settlements, partially offset by $32 million from dispositions.

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Cash flows used in financing activities were $344 million in 2025, primarily driven by net borrowings of long-term and short-term borrowings of $1.23 billion, offset by repurchases of common stock of $1.32 billion and dividends of $220 million. See Note 15 for further details on the company’s borrowings and additional amounts available.

We have entered into several regional accounts receivable factoring programs with various financial institutions for certain of our accounts receivables. The programs are accounted for as true sales of the receivables, with limited recourse to Ball, and had combined limits of approximately $1.82 billion and $1.60 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. A total of $364 million and $428 million were available for sale under these programs as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The company has recorded $38 million, $44 million and $93 million of expense related to its factoring programs in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and has presented these amounts in selling, general and administrative in its consolidated statements of earnings.

The company has several regional supplier finance programs with various financial institutions that act as the paying agent for certain payables of the company. The amount of obligations outstanding that the company confirmed as valid to the financial institutions under the company's programs was $424 million and $423 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our payment terms are not dependent on whether the suppliers participate in the supplier finance programs or if the suppliers decide to factor their receivables with the financial institutions; therefore, we do not believe that future changes in the availability of supplier finance programs will have a significant impact on our liquidity.

Contributions to the company’s defined benefit pension plans were $43 million and $32 million for the years ended 2025 and 2024, respectively. Contributions are expected to be approximately $29 million for the full year of 2026. This estimate may change based on changes in the Pension Protection Act, actual plan asset performance and available company cash flow, among other factors.

As of December 31, 2025, approximately $1.00 billion of our cash was held outside of the U.S. In the event that we would need to utilize any of the cash held outside of the U.S. for purposes within the U.S., there are no material legal or other economic restrictions regarding the repatriation of cash from any of the countries outside the U.S. where we have cash. The company believes its U.S. operating cash flows and cash on hand, as well as availability under its long-term, revolving credit facilities, uncommitted short-term credit facilities and accounts receivable factoring programs, will be sufficient to meet the cash requirements of the U.S. portion of our ongoing operations, scheduled principal and interest payments on U.S. debt, dividend payments, capital expenditures and other U.S. cash requirements. If non-U.S. funds are needed for our U.S. cash requirements and we are unable to provide the funds through intercompany financing arrangements, we may be required to repatriate funds from non-U.S. locations where the company has previously asserted indefinite reinvestment of funds outside the U.S.

Based on its indefinite reinvestment assertion, the company has not provided deferred taxes on earnings in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries because such earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested in its international operations. It is not practical to estimate the additional taxes that might become payable if these earnings were remitted to the U.S.

Share Repurchases

The company’s share repurchases were $1.32 billion in 2025 and $1.71 billion in 2024. The repurchases were completed using cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from the sale of businesses and available borrowings. The company plans to continue capital return to shareholders via an estimated $600 million in share repurchases in 2026.

On January 29, 2025, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase by the company of up to a total of $4.00 billion in shares of its common stock. This repurchase authorization replaced all previous authorizations. At December 31, 2025, $2.93 billion remains available to be repurchased .

Debt Facilities and Refinancing

Given our cash flow projections and unused credit facilities that are available until June 2030, our liquidity is strong and is expected to meet our ongoing cash and debt service requirements. Total debt of $7.01 billion and $5.69 billion was outstanding at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

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On November 25, 2025 Ball refinanced its existing senior credit facilities which were previously amended in 2022. The company’s senior credit facilities include a $1.50 billion term loan and long-term multi-currency revolving facilities that mature in November 2030, which provide the company with up to U.S. dollar equivalent of $2.00 billion. On November 17, 2025, Ball redeemed all of the outstanding principal of the $750 million of 6.875% senior notes due in March 2028. On December 15, 2025, Ball redeemed all of the outstanding principal of the $256 million of 4.875% senior notes due in March 2026.

In August 2025, Ball issued $750 million of 5.50% senior notes due in 2033 and repaid the outstanding U.S. dollar revolving credit facility due in 2027 in the amount of $600 million, as well as the outstanding multi-currency revolving credit facility due in 2027 of $100 million.

In July 2025, Ball repaid at maturity the outstanding 5.25% senior notes due in the amount of $189 million.

In May 2025, Ball issued €850 million of 4.25% senior notes due in 2032 and repaid a portion of the U.S. dollar revolving credit facility due in 2027 in the amount of $500 million, as well as the outstanding multi-currency revolving credit facility due in 2027 of $200 million.

At December 31, 2025, approximately $1.95 billion was available under the company’s long-term, multi-currency committed revolving credit facilities. The company also had approximately $998 million of short-term uncommitted credit facilities available at December 31, 2025, of which $19 million was outstanding and due on demand. At December 31, 2024, the company had $109 million of committed short-term loans outstanding and a $24 million short-term finance lease outstanding.

While ongoing financial and economic conditions in certain areas may raise concerns about credit risk with counterparties to derivative transactions, the company mitigates its exposure by allocating the risk among various counterparties and limiting exposure to any one party. We also monitor the credit ratings of our suppliers, customers, lenders and counterparties on a regular basis.

We were in compliance with the leverage ratio requirement at December 31, 2025, and for all prior years presented, and have met all debt payment obligations. The U.S. note agreements and bank credit agreement contain certain restrictions relating to dividend payments, share repurchases, investments, financial ratios, guarantees and the incurrence of additional indebtedness. The most restrictive of our debt covenants requires us to maintain a leverage ratio (as defined) of no greater than 4.5 times. As of December 31, 2025, the company could borrow an additional $2.66 billion, without violating its debt covenants, under its long-term multi-currency committed revolving facilities and short-term uncommitted credit facilities. Additional details about our debt are available in Note 15 accompanying the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report. In 2024 and 2025, we entered into and designated net investment hedges against the net assets of our euro denominated operations. See Note 21 for further details.

Saudi Arabia

In August 2025, the company sold 41 percent of its share in Ball United Arab Can Manufacturing Company, which resulted in deconsolidation upon closing of the transaction. See Note 4 for further details.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

In November 2023, the Trustee Board of the U.K. defined benefit pension plan entered into an agreement with an insurance company for a bulk annuity purchase, or “buy-in,” for its U.K. defined benefit pension plan to reduce retirement plan risk, while delivering promised benefits to plan participants. The plan was frozen on April 5, 2024. See Note 17 for further details.

Other Liquidity Measures

The company expects that 2026 capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment will likely be in the range of $600 million and we intend to return approximately $210 million to shareholders in the form of dividends. We further intend to utilize our operating cash flows, when available, to repurchase Ball common stock or fund acquisitions that meet our rate of return criteria.

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We have committed contracts to purchase raw materials and we align these purchase commitments with long-term sales contracts with our customers such that any commitment to purchase aluminum and other direct materials corresponds to a contractual sale. These sales contracts include pass-through provisions which generally result in proportional changes in both sales and costs of sales ; however, there may be timing differences of when the costs are passed through .

The company’s growth and asset maintenance plans require capital expenditures over the coming years, which will be funded by operating cash flows and external borrowings. Approximately $320 million of capital expenditures were contractually committed as of December 31, 2025. Maturities for Ball’s long-term debt are disclosed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report. Repayments of debt and other operational cash requirements will also be funded by operating cash flows and external borrowings.

CONTINGENCIES, INDEMNIFICATIONS AND GUARANTEES

Details of the company’s contingencies, legal proceedings, indemnifications and guarantees are available in Note 22 and  Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report. The company is routinely subject to litigation incidental to operating its businesses and has been designated by various federal, state, and international environmental agencies as a potentially responsible party, along with numerous other companies, for the clean-up of several hazardous waste sites. The company believes the matters identified will not have a material adverse effect upon its liquidity, results of operations or financial condition.

Guaranteed Securities

The company’s senior notes are guaranteed on a full and unconditional, joint and several basis by the issuer of the company’s senior notes and the subsidiaries that guarantee the notes (the obligor group). The entities that comprise the obligor group are 100 percent owned by the company. As described in the supplemental indentures governing the company’s existing senior notes, the senior notes are guaranteed by any of the company’s domestic subsidiaries that guarantee any other indebtedness of the company.

The following summarized financial information relates to the obligor group as of and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Intercompany transactions, equity investments and other intercompany activity between obligor group subsidiaries have been eliminated from the summarized financial information. Investments in subsidiaries not forming part of the obligor group have also been eliminated.

Year Ended

($ in millions)

December 31, 2025

Net sales

Gross profit (a)

Net earnings

Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation

Gross profit is shown after depreciation and amortization related to cost of sales of $164 million for the year ended December 31, 2025.

December 31,

($ in millions)

Current assets

Noncurrent assets

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

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Included in the amounts disclosed in the tables above, at December 31, 2025, the obligor group held receivables due from other subsidiary companies of $503 million, long-term notes receivable due from other subsidiary companies of $9.93 billion, payables due to other subsidiary companies of $1.09 billion and long-term notes payable due to other subsidiary companies of $4.97 billion.

For the years ended December 31, 2025, the obligor group recorded the following transactions with other subsidiary companies: sales to them of $736 million, net credits from them of $68 million, and net interest income from them of $250 million.

A description of the terms and conditions of the company’s debt guarantees is located in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this annual report.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report and other public filings, earnings news releases, quarterly earnings conference calls and other written and oral communications made by Ball contain statements which are not historical facts and constitute “forward-looking” statements as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). F orward-looking statements are generally statements that express or imply an expectation or belief concerning future events or financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “believe,” “continue,” “goal” and similar expressions typically identify forward looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations or views of the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Ball undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and you should therefore not place undue reliance upon such statements. Rather, these statements involve estimates, assumptions uncertainties and known and unknown risks, many of which are outside our control, and such statements are therefore qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors listed below and the risks discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report. Additional important factors include among others: supply and demand constraints, fluctuations and changes in consumption patterns; availability/cost of raw materials, equipment, and logistics; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; power and supply chain interruptions; customer and supplier consolidation; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; inability to pass-through increased costs; footprint adjustments and other manufacturing changes, including the opening and closing of facilities and lines; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions; war, political instability, sanctions, and other uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental policies including relating to the situation in Russia and Ukraine and its impact on Ball’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa regions; changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; tariffs, trade actions, or other governmental actions; unfavorable mandatory deposit or packaging laws; regulatory actions or issues including those related to tax, environmental regulation, social and governance reporting, competition, health and workplace safety, including governmental actions or public concerns affecting products filled in Ball’s containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; changes in climate and weather and related events such as drought, wildfires, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods; the extent to which sustainability-related opportunities arise and can be capitalized upon; changes in senior management, succession, and the ability to attract and retain skilled labor; strikes; disease; pandemic; labor cost changes; technological developments and innovations; the ability to manage cyber threats; litigation; inflation; pension changes; changes in the rates of return on assets of Ball’s defined benefit retirement plans; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting Ball’s debt; successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, and their effects on Ball’s operating results and business generally.

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