Ball 10-Q 2023-03-31
Filed 2023-05-04. 8 sections, 141K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2023
or
| | |
|---|---|
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 001-07349
BALL CORPORATION
| State of Indiana (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 35-0160610 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|---|
| 9200 West 108th Circle Westminster**,** CO (Address of registrant’s principal executive office) | 80021 (Zip Code) |
|---|
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 303**/**469-3131
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
| Class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of Exchange | | Outstanding at April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Stock, without par value | | BALL | | NYSE | | 314,547,603 shares |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☒ | Accelerated filer ◻ |
| Non-accelerated filer ◻ | Smaller reporting company◻ |
| | Emerging growth company ◻ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧
Ball Corporation
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the period ended March 31, 2023
INDEX
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BALL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 3,489 | | $ | 3,716 |
| | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses | | | | | | |
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | | (2,845) | | | (3,016) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | (166) | | | (185) |
| Selling, general and administrative | | | (131) | | | (186) |
| Business consolidation and other activities | | | (20) | | | 281 |
| | | | (3,162) | | | (3,106) |
| | | | | | | |
| Earnings before interest and taxes | | | 327 | | | 610 |
| | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | | (113) | | | (69) |
| Earnings before taxes | | | 214 | | | 541 |
| Tax (provision) benefit | | | (41) | | | (100) |
| Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax | | | 7 | | | 6 |
| Net earnings | | | 180 | | | 447 |
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | 3 | | | 1 |
| Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation | | $ | 177 | | $ | 446 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Earnings per share: | | | | | | |
| Basic | | $ | 0.56 | | $ | 1.39 |
| Diluted | | $ | 0.56 | | $ | 1.37 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: (000s) | | | | | | |
| Basic | | | 314,236 | | | 320,904 |
| Diluted | | | 316,667 | | | 325,916 |
| | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
BALL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net earnings | | $ | 180 | | $ | 447 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive earnings (loss): | | | | | | | |
| Currency translation adjustment | | | 20 | | | (92) | |
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | | | 1 | | | 8 | |
| Derivatives designated as hedges | | | 29 | | | 67 | |
| Total other comprehensive earnings (loss) | | | 50 | | | (17) | |
| Income tax (provision) benefit | | | (8) | | | (12) | |
| Total other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax | | | 42 | | | (29) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total comprehensive earnings | | | 222 | | | 418 | |
| Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | 3 | | | 1 | |
| Comprehensive earnings attributable to Ball Corporation | | $ | 219 | | $ | 417 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
BALL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Assets | | | | | | |
| Current assets | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 572 | | $ | 548 |
| Receivables, net | | | 2,561 | | | 2,594 |
| Inventories, net | | | 2,191 | | | 2,179 |
| Other current assets | | | 183 | | | 168 |
| Total current assets | | | 5,507 | | | 5,489 |
| Noncurrent assets | | | | | | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 7,203 | | | 7,053 |
| Goodwill | | | 4,255 | | | 4,235 |
| Intangible assets, net | | | 1,389 | | | 1,417 |
| Other assets | | | 1,755 | | | 1,715 |
| Total assets | | $ | 20,109 | | $ | 19,909 |
| | | | | | | |
| Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | | | |
| Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt | | $ | 2,356 | | $ | 1,408 |
| Accounts payable | | | 3,647 | | | 4,383 |
| Accrued employee costs | | | 250 | | | 236 |
| Other current liabilities | | | 967 | | | 981 |
| Total current liabilities | | | 7,220 | | | 7,008 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | | 7,322 | | | 7,540 |
| Employee benefit obligations | | | 824 | | | 847 |
| Deferred taxes | | | 547 | | | 540 |
| Other liabilities | | | 488 | | | 447 |
| Total liabilities | | | 16,401 | | | 16,382 |
| | | | | | | |
| Equity | | | | | | |
| Common stock (682,416,161 shares issued - 2023; 682,144,408 shares issued - 2022) | | | 1,268 | | | 1,260 |
| Retained earnings | | | 7,422 | | | 7,309 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) | | | (637) | | | (679) |
| Treasury stock, at cost (367,929,021 shares - 2023; 368,036,369 shares - 2022) | | | (4,414) | | | (4,429) |
| Total Ball Corporation shareholders' equity | | | 3,639 | | | 3,461 |
| Noncontrolling interests | | | 69 | | | 66 |
| Total equity | | | 3,708 | | | 3,527 |
| Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 20,109 | | $ | 19,909 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
BALL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | | | | | | |
| Net earnings | | $ | 180 | | $ | 447 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 166 | | | 185 |
| Business consolidation and other activities | | | 20 | | | (281) |
| Deferred tax provision (benefit) | | | — | | | 48 |
| Pension contributions | | | (4) | | | (104) |
| Other, net | | | 49 | | | (95) |
| Changes in working capital components, net of dispositions | | | (686) | | | (1,004) |
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | (275) | | | (804) |
| | | | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | | (343) | | | (362) |
| Business dispositions, net of cash sold | | | — | | | 298 |
| Other, net | | | 7 | | | 18 |
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | (336) | | | (46) |
| | | | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | | | | | | |
| Net change in long-term borrowings | | | 599 | | | 600 |
| Net change in short-term borrowings | | | 101 | | | 277 |
| Acquisitions of treasury stock | | | (3) | | | (98) |
| Common stock dividends | | | (63) | | | (65) |
| Other, net | | | 15 | | | 1 |
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 649 | | | 715 |
| | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | (2) | | | 2 |
| | | | | | | |
| Change in cash, cash equivalents and restrict |
Showing the first 8K of 84K characters. Open the full section
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (consolidated financial statements) and accompanying notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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. Our packaging products are produced for a variety of end uses, are manufactured in facilities around the world and are competitive with other substrates, such as plastics and glass. In the aluminum packaging industry, sales and earnings can be increased by reducing costs, increasing prices, developing new products, expanding volumes and making strategic acquisitions. We also provide aerospace and other technologies and services to governmental and commercial customers, including national defense hardware, antenna and video tactical solutions, civil and operational space hardware and system engineering services.
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 beverage and aerosol container industries are growing and are expected to continue to grow in the medium to long term. The primary customers for the products and services provided by our aerospace segment are U.S. government agencies or their prime contractors.
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.
The majority of our aerospace business involves work under contracts, generally from one to five years in duration, as a prime contractor or subcontractor for various U.S. government agencies. Intense competition and long operating cycles are key characteristics of the company’s aerospace and defense industry where it is common for work on major programs to be shared among a number of companies. A company competing to be a prime contractor may, upon ultimate award of the contract to a competitor, become a subcontractor for the ultimate prime contracting company.
Corporate Strategy
Our Drive for 10 vision encompasses five strategic levers that are key to growing our business and achieving long-term success. Since launching Drive for 10 in 2011, we have made progress on each of the levers as follows:
| ● | Maximizing value in our existing businesses by leveraging our aluminum container production capabilities across our global plant network to meet global demand, improving efficiencies and amplifying our sustainability credentials through Aluminum Stewardship Initiative certification across our global aluminum container and end facilities in North America, South America and Europe; leveraging plant floor and integrated planning systems to reduce costs and manage contractual provisions across our diverse customer base; successfully acquiring and integrating a large global aluminum beverage business and regional aluminum aerosol facility while also divesting underperforming assets; and in the aluminum aerosol business, installing new extruded aluminum aerosol lines in our European, Mexican and Indian facilities while also implementing cost-out and value-in initiatives across all of our businesses; |
|---|
| ● | Expanding further into new products and capabilities through delivering the broadest aluminum beverage and bottle portfolio, commercializing our lightweight, infinitely recyclable aluminum cup and providing next-generation extruded aluminum aerosol packaging that utilizes proprietary technology to significantly lightweight our products; and successfully introducing new specialty beverage cans and aluminum bottle-shaping technology; |
|---|
| ● | Aligning ourselves with the right customers and markets by prudently investing capital to meet continued growth for specialty beverage containers throughout our global network, which represent approximately 50 percent of our global beverage packaging mix; aligning with growing beverage customers and brand categories and other new beverage producers who continue to use aluminum beverage containers to grow their business; and in our aluminum cup business, establishing partnerships with food service providers, fast casual restaurants and event venues and utilizing online platforms and North American retailers to provide infinitely recyclable aluminum cups directly to consumers; |
|---|
| ● | Broadening our geographic reach with our acquisition of Rexam in June 2016 and our new investments in beverage manufacturing facilities in the United States, Brazil, Paraguay, Spain, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Mexico, Myanmar and Panama, as well as extruded aluminum aerosol manufacturing facilities |
|---|
| in North America, Europe, India and Brazil, and the start-up of our aluminum cups business in the U.S.; and |
|---|
| ● | Leveraging our technological expertise in packaging innovation, including the introduction of our new proprietary, brandable lightweight aluminum cup and providing next-generation aluminum bottle-shaping technologies for new categories, occasions and refillable offerings through the increased production of lightweight ReAl® containers which utilize technology that increases the strength of aluminum used in the manufacturing process while lightweighting the can by up to 30 percent over a standard aluminum aerosol can, as well as leveraging our aerospace technologies and competencies to deliver exquisite space-based environmental, weather and defense monitoring solutions such as methane monitoring, weather prediction, LIDAR capabilities and hypersonics to preserve and protect our planet through enabling our aerospace customers with actionable ecosystem-related and intelligence data and resilient national security architectures. |
|---|
These ongoing business developments help us stay close to our customers while expanding and/or sustaining our industry positions and global reach with major beverage, personal care, household products and aerospace customers. In order to successfully execute our strategy and reach our goals, we realize the importance of excelling in the following areas: customer focus, operational excellence, innovation and business development, people and culture focus and sustainability.
From time to time, we have evaluated and intend to continue to evaluate and pursue 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.
RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED 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.
Global Economic Environment
Recent data has indicated a sharp rise in inflation in the regions where we operate. Current and future inflationary effects may continue to be impacted by, among other things, supply chain disruptions, governmental stimulus or fiscal policies, changes in interest rates, and changing demand for certain goods and services as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact that rising interest rates, a global or any regional recession, or higher inflation may have on our customers or suppliers. Additionally, we are unable to predict the potential effects that any future pandemic, or the continuation or escalation of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and related sanctions or market disruptions, may have on our business. It remains uncertain how long any of these conditions may last or how severe any of them may become.
Consolidated Sales and Earnings
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 3,489 | | $ | 3,716 | |
| Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation | | | 177 | | | 446 | |
| Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation as a % of net sales | | | 5 | % | | 12 | % |
Sales in the three months ended March 31, 2023, decreased compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to the sale of our Russian aluminum beverage packaging business in the third quarter of 2022, currency translation, decreased volumes and the pass-through of lower aluminum prices, partially offset by the pass-through of inflationary costs.
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2023, decreased compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to the gain on sale of our remaining equity method investment in Ball Metalpack in 2022, the sale of our Russian aluminum beverage packaging business in the third quarter of 2022, lower volumes and
increased interest expense, partially offset by fixed cost savings from rightsizing production, lower depreciation expense associated with the third quarter 2022 revision of estimated useful lives, SG&A cost-out initiatives and the pass-through of inflationary costs.
Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, was $2,845 million and $3,016 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts represented 82 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 81 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense was $166 million and $185 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts represented 5 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The decrease in expense compared to the same period in 2022 is primarily due to revised estimated useful lives of the company’s manufacturing equipment, buildings and certain assembly and test equipment, as well as the sale of the Russia aluminum beverage packaging business. See Note 10 of these consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of the reduction in depreciation resulting from the revised estimated useful lives. See Note 4 for details regarding the sale of the Russian operations.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $131 million and $186 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to SG&A cost-out initiatives. These amounts represented 4 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 5 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Business Consolidation Costs and Other Activities
Business consolidation costs and other activities were $20 million and income of $281 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change compared to the same period in 2022 is primarily due to the sale of the company’s equity method investment in Ball Metalpack in the first quarter of 2022. See Note 6 for further details.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $113 million and $69 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest expense as a percentage of average borrowings increased by approximately 150 basis points from 3.3 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to 4.8 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023. See Note 15 for further details
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was 19.2 percent compared to 18.5 percent for the same period in 2022. The increase of 0.7 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in the benefit from share-based compensation, which was partially offset by an increase in the benefit for federal tax credits. Similar impacts may occur in future periods, but given their inherent uncertainty, the company is unable to reasonably estimate their potential future impacts. The increase for 2023 is also partially due to a benefit for changes in deferred taxes on the investment in its Russian business, which was partially offset by the sale of the company’s equity method investment in Ball Metalpack, both of which occurred during 2022. The company does not anticipate these items will impact tax expense in future periods.
RESULTS OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Segment Results
Ball’s operations are organized and reviewed by management along its product lines and geographical areas, and its operating results are presented in the four reportable segments discussed below.
Beverage Packaging, North and Central America
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,504 | | $ | 1,609 | |
| Comparable operating earnings | | | 183 | | | 174 | |
| Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales | | | 12 | % | | 11 | % |
Ball ceased production at its Phoenix, Arizona aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in the fourth quarter of 2022, and ceased production at its aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in St. Paul, Minnesota in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2023 Ball announced the planned closure of its aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in Wallkill, New York.
Segment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $105 million lower compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to decreased volumes and the pass through of lower aluminum prices, partially offset by the pass-through of inflationary costs.
Comparable operating earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $9 million higher compared to the same period in 2022. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to income recognized from the termination of a long term power supply contract that offsets higher energy costs, the pass-through of inflationary costs, fixed cost savings from rightsizing production through the facility actions noted above, lower depreciation expense associated with the third quarter 2022 revision of estimated useful lives and SG&A cost-out initiatives, partially offset by decreased volumes.
Beverage Packaging, EMEA
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 834 | | $ | 942 | |
| Comparable operating earnings | | | 73 | | | 100 | |
| Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales | | | 9 | % | | 11 | % |
Segment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $108 million lower compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to decreased volumes resulting from the sale of the Russian aluminum beverage packaging business, currency translation and the pass through of lower aluminum prices, partially offset by increased volumes when excluding 2022 Russian shipments.
Comparable operating earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $27 million lower compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to the sale of the Russian aluminum beverage packaging business and currency translation, partially offset by the pass-through of inflationary costs and lower depreciation expense associated with the third quarter 2022 revision of estimated useful lives.
During the third quarter of 2022, and further to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the company sold its Russian business, composed of three manufacturing facilities, for total cash consideration of $530 million. The historical operations and results of the Russian aluminum beverage packaging business, including the gain on sale, are included in the beverage packaging, EMEA segment. See Note 4 of these consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding the sale and its impact to Ball’s financial results.
A summary of the results of the Russian aluminum beverage packaging business and the non-Russian components of the beverage packaging, EMEA, segment, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, are shown below:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | | | | | |
| Russia | | $ | — | | $ | 155 |
| Non-Russia | | | 834 | | | 787 |
| Beverage packaging, EMEA, segment | | $ | 834 | | $ | 942 |
| | | | | | | |
| Comparable operating earnings | | | | | | |
| Russia | | $ | — | | $ | 32 |
| Non-Russia | | | 73 | | | 68 |
| Beverage packaging, EMEA, segment | | $ | 73 | | $ | 100 |
The Russian sales and comparable operating earnings figures in the above table include historical support by Russia for non-Russian regions. See Note 4 for additional discussion regarding the sale.
Beverage Packaging, South America
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 450 | | $ | 494 | |
| Comparable operating earnings | | | 50 | | | 78 | |
| Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales | | | 11 | % | | 16 | % |
Ball ceased production at its Santa Cruz, Brazil, aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in the third quarter of 2022.
Segment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $44 million lower compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to decreased volumes, price/mix and the pass through of lower aluminum prices.
Comparable operating earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $28 million lower compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily due to decreased volumes and regional customer/product mix, partially offset by fixed cost savings from rightsizing production and lower depreciation expense associated with the third quarter 2022 revision of estimated useful lives.
Aerospace
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 508 | | $ | 504 | |
| Comparable operating earnings | | | 60 | | | 43 | |
| Comparable operating earnings as a % of segment net sales | | | 12 | % | | 9 | % |
Segment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $4 million higher compared to the same period in 2022, and comparable operating earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $17 million higher compared to the same period in 2022. The higher sales and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were primarily due to the company’s new program wins, backlog liquidation through contract performance and favorable operational performance.
The aerospace contract mix for the three months ended March 31, 2023, consisted of 38 percent cost-type contracts, which are billed at our costs plus an agreed-upon and/or earned profit component, and 58 percent fixed-price contracts. The remaining sales were for time and materials contracts. Backlog was $2.77 billion and $2.97 billion at March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. The backlog at March 31, 2023, consisted of 36 percent cost-type contracts. Comparisons of backlog are not necessarily indicative of the trend of future operations due to the nature of varying delivery and milestone schedules on contracts, funding of programs and the uncertainty of timing of future contract awards.
Management Performance Measures
Management internally uses various measures to evaluate company performance such as comparable operating earnings (earnings before interest, taxes and business consolidation and other non-comparable costs); comparable net earnings (earnings before business consolidation costs and other non-comparable costs after tax); comparable diluted earnings per share (comparable net earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding); return on average invested capital (net operating earnings after tax over the relevant performance period divided by average invested capital over the same period); economic value added (EVA®) dollars (net operating earnings after tax less a capital charge on average invested capital employed); earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT); earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); and diluted earnings per share. In addition, management uses operating cash flows as a measure to evaluate the company’s liquidity. We believe this information is also useful to investors as it provides insight into the earnings and cash flow criteria that management uses to make strategic decisions. These financial measures may be adjusted at times for items that affect comparability between periods, including business consolidation costs and other non-comparable items.
Nonfinancial measures used in the packaging businesses include production efficiency and spoilage rates; quality control figures; environmental, health and safety statistics; production and sales volume data; asset utilization rates and measures of sustainability. Additional measures used to evaluate financial performance in the aerospace segment include contract revenue realization, award and incentive fees realized, proposal win rates and backlog. References to sales volume data represent units shipped.
Many of the above noted financial measurements are presented on a non-U.S. GAAP basis and should be considered in connection with the consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this report. Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation and should not be considered superior to, or a substitute for, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A presentation of earnings in accordance with U.S. GAAP is available in Item 1 of this report.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.
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 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:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | (275) | | $ | (804) |
| Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | | | (336) | | | (46) |
| Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 649 | | | 715 |
Cash flows used in operating activities were $275 million in 2023, primarily driven by working capital outflows of $686 million largely from accounts payable, partially offset by cash generated from net earnings before depreciation and amortization.
Cash flows used in investing activities were $336 million in 2023 primarily driven by $343 million of capital expenditures.
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $649 million in 2023 driven primarily by net borrowings of $700 million from our short-term and long-term credit facilities, partially offset by common stock dividends of $63 million. See Note 15 for further details on the company’s borrowings, and additional amounts available.
We have entered into several regional committed and uncommitted accounts receivable factoring programs with various financial institutions for certain of our accounts receivable. The programs are accounted for as true sales of the receivables, with limited recourse to Ball, and had combined limits of approximately $1.96 billion and $2.04 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. A total of $383 million and $488 million were available for sale under these programs as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
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 $608 million and $930 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 $4 million in the first three months of 2023 compared to $104 million in the same period of 2022, and such contributions are expected to be approximately $33 million for the full year of 2023. This estimate may change based on changes in the Pension Protection Act, actual plan asset performance and available company cash flow, among other factors.
The company has approximately $526 million of capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment contractually committed as of March 31, 2023, and intends to return approximately $250 million to shareholders in the form of dividends for the full year 2023, inclusive of the cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable June 15, 2023, to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023, approximately $346 million of our cash was held outside of the U.S. In the event we 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 committed and uncommitted 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 totaled $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $98 million of repurchases during the same period of 2022. The repurchases were completed using cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from the sale of businesses and available borrowings.
Debt Facilities and Refinancing
Given our cash flow projections and unused credit facilities that are available until June 2027, our liquidity is strong and is expected to meet our ongoing cash and debt service requirements. Total interest-bearing debt of $9.72 billion and $9.00 billion was outstanding at March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The company’s senior credit facilities include long-term, multi-currency revolving facilities that mature in June 2027, which provide the company with up to the U.S. dollar equivalent of $1.75 billion. At March 31, 2023, approximately $890 million was available under the company’s long-term, multi-currency committed revolving credit facilities. In addition to these facilities, the company had approximately $1.02 billion of short-term uncommitted credit facilities available at March 31, 2023, of which $153 million was outstanding and due on demand. At December 31, 2022, the company had $112 million outstanding under short-term uncommitted credit facilities.
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.
Some of Ball’s loan agreements use LIBOR in determining interest rates. The company is continually evaluating the impact that the transition from its LIBOR-based interest rate loan agreements to SOFR-based interest rate agreements will have on its consolidated financial statements. Based on our most current understanding, the LIBOR to SOFR transition is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We were in compliance with all loan agreements at March 31, 2023, and for all prior periods presented, and we have met all debt payment obligations. The U.S. note agreements and bank credit agreement contain certain restrictions relating to dividends, 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 5.0 times, which will change to 4.5 times as of September 30, 2025. As of March 31, 2023, the company could borrow an additional $1.54 billion under its long-term multi-currency committed revolving facilities and short-term uncommitted credit facilities without violating our existing debt covenants. Additional details about our debt are available in Note 15 accompanying the consolidated financial statements within Item 1 of this report.
CONTINGENCIES, INDEMNIFICATIONS AND GUARANTEES
Details of the company’s contingencies, legal proceedings, indemnifications and guarantees are available in Note 21 and Note 22 accompanying the consolidated financial statements within Item 1 of this report. The company is routinely subject to litigation incidental to operating its businesses and has been designated by various federal and state environmental agencies as a potentially responsible party, along with numerous other companies, for the clean-up of several hazardous waste sites, including in respect of sites related to alleged activities of certain former Rexam subsidiaries. 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 March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022. 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.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended | | Year Ended | ||
| ($ in millions) | | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,308 | | $ | 9,975 |
| Gross profit (a) | | | 285 | | | 996 |
| Net earnings | | | 141 | | | 635 |
| Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation | | | 141 | | | 635 |
| (a) | Gross profit is shown after depreciation and amortization related to cost of sales of $69 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and $261 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
|---|
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the year ended December 31, 2022, the obligor group recorded the following transactions with other subsidiary companies: sales to them of $316 million and $1.50 billion, respectively, net credits from them of $8 million and $19 million, respectively, and net interest income from them of $79 million and $329 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the obligor group received dividends from other subsidiary companies of $18 million.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Current assets | | $ | 2,617 | | $ | 2,478 |
| Noncurrent assets | | | 15,897 | | | 15,764 |
| Current liabilities | | | 6,352 | | | 6,032 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | | | 10,632 | | | 10,790 |
Included in the amounts disclosed in the tables above, at March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the obligor group held receivables due from other subsidiary companies of $479 million and $477 million, respectively, long-term notes receivable due from other subsidiary companies of $10.03 billion and $9.89 billion, respectively, payables due to other subsidiary companies of $2.01 billion and $2.22 billion, respectively, and long-term notes payable due to other subsidiary companies of $2.25 billion and $2.21 billion, respectively.
A description of the terms and conditions of the company’s debt guarantees is located in Note 22 of Item 1 of this report.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The company employs established risk management policies and procedures which seek to reduce the company’s commercial risk exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and prices of the company’s common stock with regard to common share repurchases and the company’s deferred compensation stock plan. However, there can be no assurance that these policies and procedures will be successful. Although the instruments utilized involve varying degrees of credit, market and interest risk, the counterparties to the agreements are expected to perform fully under the terms of the agreements. The company monitors counterparty credit risk, including lenders, on a regular basis, but Ball cannot be certain that all risks will be discerned or that its risk management policies and procedures will always be effective. Additionally, in the event of default under the company’s master derivative agreements, the non-defaulting party has the option to set off any amounts owed with regard to open derivative positions. Further details are available in Item 7A within Ball’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2023, and in Note 20 accompanying the consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this report.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer participated in management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as of the end of the period covered by this report and concluded that our controls and procedures were effective. There were no changes to internal controls during the company’s first quarter of 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains “forward-looking” statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” and similar expressions typically identify forward-looking statements, which are generally any statements other than statements of historical fact. 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. You should therefore not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements and they should be read in conjunction with, and qualified in their entirety by, the cautionary statements referenced below. Ball undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be different are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in Ball’s Form 10-K, which are available on Ball’s website and at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) Ball’s packaging segments include product capacity, supply, and demand constraints and fluctuations and changes in consumption patterns; availability/cost of raw materials, equipment, and logistics; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather and related events such as drought, wildfires, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods; footprint adjustments and other manufacturing changes, including the startup of new facilities and lines; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions; unfavorable mandatory deposit or packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation; power and supply chain interruptions; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; inability to pass through increased costs; war, political instability and sanctions, including relating to the situation in Russia and Ukraine and its impact on Ball’s supply chain and its ability to operate in Europe, the Middle East and Africa regions generally; changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; and tariffs, trade actions, or other governmental actions, including business restrictions and orders affecting goods produced by Ball or in its supply chain, including imported raw materials; b) Ball’s aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) Ball as a whole include those listed above plus: 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; regulatory actions or issues including those related to tax, environmental, social and governance reporting, competition, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. Federal Drug Administration and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in Ball’s containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; the ability to manage cyber threats; litigation; strikes; disease; pandemic; labor cost changes; inflation; rates of return on assets of Ball’s defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental policies, including policies, orders, and actions related to COVID-19; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting Ball’s debt; and successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, and their effects on Ball’s operating results and business generally.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There were no events required to be reported under Item 1 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, except as discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included within Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no changes required to be reported under Item 1A for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table summarizes the company’s repurchases of its common stock during the first quarter of 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases of Securities | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | Total Number of Shares Purchased (a) | AveragePricePaid per****Share | Total Number ofShares Purchased asPart of PubliclyAnnounced Plans orPrograms (a) | Maximum Number ofShares that May YetBe Purchased Underthe Plans or Programs(b) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| January 1 to January 31, 2023 | | — | | $ | — | | — | | 19,657,010 |
| February 1 to February 28, 2023 | | — | | | — | | — | | 19,657,010 |
| March 1 to March 31, 2023 | | 51,784 | | | 51.14 | | 51,784 | | 19,605,226 |
| Total | | 51,784 | | | 51.14 | | 51,784 | | |
| (a) | Includes any open market purchases (on a trade-date basis), share repurchase agreements and/or shares retained by the company to settle employee withholding tax liabilities. |
|---|
| (b) | The company has an ongoing repurchase program for which 50 million shares were authorized for repurchase by Ball’s Board of Directors. |
|---|
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
There were no events required to be reported under Item 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
There were no events required to be reported under Item 5 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Item 6. Exhibits
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | | Obligor group subsidiaries of Ball Corporation |
| | | |
| 31.1 | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) by Daniel W. Fisher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation. | |
| | | |
| 31.2 | | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) by Scott C. Morrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ball Corporation. |
| | | |
| 32.1 | | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code by Daniel W. Fisher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation. |
| | | |
| 32.2 | | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code by Scott C. Morrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ball Corporation. |
| | | |
| 99 | | Cautionary statement for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. |
| | | |
| 101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
| | | |
| 101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| | | |
| 101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| | | |
| 101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document |
| | | |
| 101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| | | |
| 101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| | | |
| 104 | | The cover page of the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (contained in Exhibit 101), the: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings, (ii) Unaudited Statement of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss), (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Ball Corporation | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Registrant) | ||
| | | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Scott C. Morrison | |
| | Scott C. Morrison | |
| | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Date: | May 4, 2023 | |