Greif Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results

Core Insights - Greif, Inc. reported significant financial results for the two-month fourth quarter and eleven-month fiscal year 2025, highlighting a substantial decrease in net income and changes in operational performance due to the divestment of its Containerboard Business [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - For the two-month fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, net income decreased by 227.4% to $(43.3) million, or $(0.73) per diluted Class A share, compared to $34.0 million, or $0.58 per diluted Class A share in the same period of 2024 [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter increased by 7.4% to $98.9 million, while combined Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.7% to $122.7 million [6]. - For the eleven-month fiscal year, net income decreased by 93.2% to $15.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted Class A share, compared to $220.5 million, or $3.81 per diluted Class A share in the previous year [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the eleven-month period increased by 3.1% to $511.3 million, while combined Adjusted EBITDA rose by 10.9% to $702.6 million [6]. Operational Changes - The company divested its Containerboard Business for $1.8 billion, which is now classified as discontinued operations starting in Q3 2025 [2][3]. - The fiscal year-end was changed to September 30, resulting in an 11-month fiscal year for 2025 [3]. Debt and Cash Flow - Total debt decreased by $1,538.1 million to $1,202.5 million, and net debt decreased by $1,597.1 million to $945.8 million, leading to a leverage ratio reduction to 1.63x from 3.48x [7]. - Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $376.5 million to a use of $244.7 million for the fourth quarter, while adjusted free cash flow increased by $24.0 million to $122.6 million [6]. Strategic Actions - The company achieved cost optimization run-rate savings of approximately $50 million by the end of fiscal year 2025 and increased its anticipated cost optimization commitment to $120 million [15]. - Plans for share repurchases in 2026 reflect confidence in the company's earnings power and operational leverage [9]. Market Outlook - The company noted a multi-year period of industrial contraction with no compelling demand inflection identified, leading to conservative guidance for fiscal 2026 [31][32]. - The low-end guidance for fiscal 2026 includes an estimated Adjusted EBITDA of $630 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $315 million [32].