NYSE$SON

Sonoco Products Co · Q1 2021 earnings

Q1 2021 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Sonoco's first quarter 2021 results were reported, demonstrating resilience amidst challenges and improved cash flow.

Sonoco reported a 3.8% increase in net sales to $1.35 billion and GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.71. The company faced challenges from severe winter weather and global supply chain disruptions but benefited from productivity gains and improved volume/mix. Cash flow from operations increased by 58% year-over-year.

  • Net sales increased by 3.8% to $1.35 billion compared to the previous year.
  • GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.71, while base earnings per diluted share were $0.90.
  • Cash flow from operations improved to $138.7 million, and free cash flow reached $99.4 million.
  • The company completed the sale of its U.S. Display and Packaging business and changed its operating and reporting structure to Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$1.35B

Previous: $1.3B+3.8%
EPS (adj)

$0.90

Previous: $0.94-4.3%
Capital Expenditures

-$39.5M

Previous: -$33.9M-16.8%
Free Cash Flow

$32.7M

Previous: $46.6M-29.7%
Net Income

$72.3M

Previous: $80.4M-10.1%
Operating Income

$120M

Previous: $130M-7.5%
Gross Profit

$278M

Previous: $267M+4.2%
Cash & Equivalents

$588M

Previous: $123M+376.4%
Total Assets

$5.28B

Previous: $5.01B+5.4%
Stock-Based Comp

$6.37M

Previous: $597K+967.3%

Revenue & EPS history

Sonoco · Revenue · Quarterly

$1.35B

Q1 2021+3.8%vs Q1 2020
Beat estimate in 15 of 16 quarters(94%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Sonoco · $1.15B total across 2 segments · Q1 2021

  • Consumer Packaging
    $583M+7.8%
  • Industrial Paper Packaging
    $565M+12.5%

Forward guidance

Sonoco projects second quarter and full-year 2021 base earnings to be in the range of $0.82 to $0.88 and $3.50 to $3.60 per diluted share, respectively. Full-year 2021 cash flow from operations and free cash flow are expected to be between $570 million and $600 million and $270 million and $300 million, respectively.

Tailwinds

  • General macroeconomic conditions are expected to continue improving due to government stimulus actions and further business reopening as the pandemic unwinds.
  • Demand in most consumer and industrial businesses is expected to remain solid.
  • Consumer Packaging segment is expected to continue benefiting from consumer at-home eating needs.
  • Demand for uncoated recycled paperboard remains strong globally.
  • Tube, core and cone products are seeing a resurgence in demand to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Headwinds

  • Inflationary risks are a concern near-term.
  • Continued inflation in recycled fiber and resins, primary raw materials, along with chemicals, adhesives, freight, and other operational costs is expected until supply chains stabilize.
  • The company expects to recognize non-cash, pre-tax settlement charges of approximately $560 million in the second quarter of 2021 associated with the settlement of the outstanding liabilities of the Sonoco Pension Plan for Inactive Participants.
  • The expected settlement charges will lead to a net GAAP loss in the second quarter and for the full year.
  • Uncertainty regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains remains a risk.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2021

Historical avgQ1 2021

-0.5%

Avg return

Earnings day

-1.3%

Avg return

5 days after

-0.7%

Avg return

30 days after

40%

27 / 68 earnings

Positive

+9.7%

Q4 2025

Best reaction

-12.3%

Q1 2025

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026-1.6%-0.6%-2.5%
Q4 2025+9.7%+9.3%+0.3%
Q3 2025-0.2%-3.2%-1.1%
Q1 2025-12.3%-3.8%-2.6%
Q4 2024-3.7%-3.2%-3.0%
Q3 2024-2.5%-4.2%-1.1%
Q2 2024-1.0%-6.8%+6.4%
Q1 2024-1.0%-0.8%+4.7%
Q4 2023+2.8%+0.0%+2.4%
Q3 2023+5.6%+7.5%+7.6%
Q2 2023+1.4%-2.1%-1.1%
Q1 2023-1.7%-0.8%-1.3%
Q4 2022-0.3%+0.4%-6.6%
Q3 2022-9.7%-10.6%-5.4%
Q2 2022+3.9%+5.3%+8.9%
Q1 2022-4.4%-8.5%-14.6%
Q4 2021-2.0%+0.4%-2.7%
Q3 2021-3.3%-3.7%-0.7%
Q2 2021-5.1%-4.1%-1.6%
Q1 2021+0.1%-0.4%+3.6%
Q4 2020-2.8%-3.0%+2.5%
Q3 2020-4.2%-9.2%+3.3%
Q2 2020+2.1%-0.1%+2.9%
Q1 2020+2.4%-4.4%-6.9%
Q4 2019+0.0%-0.1%-17.2%
Q3 2019-0.4%+0.1%+1.1%
Q2 2019-4.5%-5.0%-10.8%
Q1 2019-1.1%+0.6%+3.7%
Q4 2018-3.1%-1.3%-2.7%
Q3 2018+5.3%+1.8%+9.0%
Q2 2018+6.5%+5.2%+4.8%
Q1 2018+3.6%+3.6%+3.8%
Q4 2017-1.8%-3.3%-5.3%
Q3 2017+4.0%+2.4%+0.8%
Q2 2017-6.9%-6.7%-8.8%
Q1 2017+3.2%+2.9%-2.4%
Q4 2016-3.2%-2.1%-2.1%
Q3 2016-0.4%-2.2%+5.2%
Q2 2016+1.0%+1.8%+1.8%
Q1 2016-3.3%
Q4 2015+1.0%
Q3 2015+0.6%
Q2 2015-4.8%
Q1 2015-2.5%
Q4 2014+1.1%
Q3 2014+3.4%
Q2 2014-1.8%
Q1 2014+0.7%
Q4 2013+1.1%
Q3 2013+3.3%
Q2 2013+2.3%
Q1 2013-1.9%
Q4 2012+0.7%
Q3 2012+0.2%
Q2 2012-1.4%
Q1 2012+0.9%
Q4 2011+2.7%
Q3 2011+4.2%
Q2 2011-6.8%
Q1 2010-0.6%
Q1 2011-0.3%
Q4 2008-1.6%
Q4 2010-1.6%
Q3 2009-0.8%
Q3 2010-0.8%
Q4 2009-0.0%
Q2 2009-0.0%
Q2 2010-0.0%

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