Core Insights - The Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) reported a net income of $246.7 million, or $2.73 per share, for Q3 2025, surpassing the previous year's net income of $238.8 million, or $2.65 per share [1] - Net sales for the quarter increased to $2.31 billion from $2.18 billion a year earlier [2] Financial Performance - Earnings per share, excluding one-time items, were $2.73, while including one-time items, earnings were $2.51 per share, down from $2.64 in Q3 2024 [2] - Cost of products sold rose 8% year-on-year to $1.81 billion, while gross profit fell 0.2% to $504.3 million [4] - Adjusted operating income increased to $347.9 million from $321.6 million in the same quarter of the previous year [4] Segment Performance - The packaging segment saw sales grow 6% to $2.13 billion, with corrugated product shipments declining 1.1% year-on-year but increasing 5.3% when including the acquired business [4] - The paper segment generated revenues of $161.2 million, a 1.2% increase year-on-year, but adjusted operating profit decreased to $35.6 million from $38.5 million in Q3 2024 [5] Future Outlook - The company forecasts earnings per share of $2.40 for Q4 2025 [5] - PCA expects higher per-day corrugated shipments in Q4, despite having three fewer shipping days compared to Q3 [6] - Anticipated lower prices in the packaging segment due to a seasonally less rich mix, along with higher energy and fiber costs [7]