Crown Holdings (CCK) Q3 2025 Earnings Transcript

Core Insights - The company reported earnings of $1.85 per share for the quarter, a significant improvement from a loss of $1.47 per share in the same quarter last year, with adjusted earnings per share at $2.24 compared to $1.99 previously [1] - Net sales increased by 4.2% year-on-year, driven by a 12% rise in shipments in European beverage, despite lower volumes in Latin America [1][4] - The company achieved a segment income of $490 million, up from $472 million in the prior year, reflecting operational improvements and increased volumes in Europe [1][8] - Free cash flow for the nine months ending September 30 improved to $887 million from $668 million, with a commitment to return excess cash to shareholders [1][8] - The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $7.7 to $7.8, projecting fourth-quarter adjusted EPS between $1.65 and $1.75 [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share increased by 13% compared to the previous year, with strong demand in European beverage offsetting weaknesses in Latin America [2][8] - The company repurchased $105 million of common stock in the quarter and $314 million year-to-date, returning over $400 million to shareholders this year [1][8] - The company achieved its long-term net leverage target of 2.5 times in September, indicating a strong balance sheet [1][8] Market Dynamics - European beverage segment income rose by 27% year-on-year, supported by a 12% volume growth, while North American volumes were mixed, down 3% [5][8] - Latin American beverage volumes declined by 5%, primarily due to a 15% drop in Brazil and Mexico, attributed to consumer uncertainty and adverse weather conditions [4][5] - The company noted limited direct impacts from tariffs but remains cautious about indirect effects on global demand [1][8] Operational Insights - The company is focused on maintaining a healthy balance sheet while returning cash to shareholders, with expectations of continued operational improvements [1][8] - The North American food can segment benefited from strong harvest demand and efficiency improvements, contributing to better-than-expected results [7][8] - The company is optimistic about growth in Brazil for the fourth quarter and 2026, supported by government initiatives to lower interest rates [4][8] Future Outlook - The company expects to achieve approximately $1 billion in adjusted free cash flow for 2025 after capital spending of $400 million, with net leverage remaining close to the long-term target [1][8] - The long-term growth rate in Europe is anticipated to stabilize around 4% to 5%, with the company well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities [12][24] - The company is exploring additional capacity in Europe and is modernizing facilities to enhance output and efficiency [54][65]