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BALL Corp (BALL) Fundamental Analysis & AI Grade 2026

BALL NYSE Metal Cans IN CIK: 0000009389
Update Pending • Analysis: May 7, 2026 • SEC Data: 2026-03-31
Combined AI Grade
C
82% Confidence
NEUTRAL
D
85% Conf
B
78% Conf

📊 BALL Key Takeaways

Revenue: $3.6B
Net Margin: 5.7%
Free Cash Flow: $-938.0M
Current Ratio: 1.12x
Debt/Equity: 1.25x
EPS: $0.77
AI Grade: D with 85% confidence
BALL Corp (BALL) receives a C fundamental grade with 82% confidence from our AI analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $3.6B, net profit margin of 5.7%, and return on equity (ROE) of 3.7%, BALL Corp demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Materials sector. Below is our complete BALL stock analysis for 2026.

Is BALL Corp (BALL) a Good Investment?

Claude

Ball Corp exhibits severe operational stress despite 11.6% revenue growth, with negative operating cash flow of -$777M and negative free cash flow of -$938M indicating the company is not converting sales into cash. High leverage (1.25x D/E) combined with weak liquidity (1.12x current ratio) and thin margins (5.4% operating) creates unsustainable financial dynamics that pose significant solvency risks given the 2.5x interest coverage ratio.

ChatGPT

Ball shows solid top-line growth and healthy cash generation, with $1.26B of operating cash flow and $788M of free cash flow supporting the business despite a capital-intensive model. However, core profitability is weak, with very thin 3.6% gross margin, 1.5% operating margin, and a highly concerning 0.6x interest coverage ratio, which makes the quality and durability of earnings look mixed rather than strong.

BALL Corp Key Strengths (BALL)

Claude
  • + Top-line revenue growth of 11.6% year-over-year demonstrates market demand
  • + Positive net income of $205M shows accounting profitability
  • + Maintained $730M in cash equivalents provides short-term liquidity cushion
ChatGPT
  • + Revenue grew 11.6% year over year, indicating resilient demand and operating scale
  • + Operating cash flow and free cash flow remain solid, providing internal funding capacity
  • + ROE of 16.8% and positive net income show the company is still generating shareholder returns

BALL Stock Risks: BALL Corp Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Negative operating cash flow of -$777M: company burning cash despite profitability, indicating structural operational issues
  • ! Negative free cash flow of -$938M unsustainable with $7.0B long-term debt; debt service at risk
  • ! Excessive leverage (1.25x D/E, 2.5x interest coverage) leaves minimal room for operational disruption
  • ! Critically weak liquidity with quick ratio of 0.72x and minimal working capital buffer
  • ! Severe margin compression: 5.4% operating margin with thin 13.3% gross margins suggests pricing power erosion
  • ! Dramatic 74.6% EPS decline despite flat net income indicates significant share dilution
ChatGPT
  • ! Core margins are extremely thin, leaving little room for cost inflation or execution issues
  • ! Interest coverage of 0.6x suggests elevated debt-servicing pressure and weak earnings protection
  • ! Diluted EPS fell 74.6% year over year, signaling poor earnings quality or material below-the-line volatility

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating cash flow trend and quarterly cash position relative to debt obligations
  • * Working capital management and inventory/receivables dynamics causing cash burn
  • * Debt covenant compliance and refinancing requirements over next 12-24 months
  • * Gross and operating margin stabilization or further deterioration
ChatGPT
  • * Operating margin and interest coverage
  • * Free cash flow conversion versus net income

BALL Corp (BALL) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$3.6B
Net Income
$205.0M
EPS (Diluted)
$0.77
Free Cash Flow
$-938.0M
Total Assets
$19.8B
Cash Position
$730.0M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

BALL Corp presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

BALL Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin 13.3%
Operating Margin 5.4%
Net Margin 5.7%
ROE 3.7%
ROA 1.0%
FCF Margin -26.0%

BALL vs Materials Sector: How BALL Corp Compares

How BALL Corp compares to Materials sector averages

Net Margin
BALL 5.7%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
BALL Sector
ROE
BALL 3.7%
vs
Sector Avg 14.0%
BALL Sector
Current Ratio
BALL 1.1x
vs
Sector Avg 1.6x
BALL Sector
Debt/Equity
BALL 1.3x
vs
Sector Avg 0.6x
BALL Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is BALL Corp Stock Overvalued? BALL Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, BALL Corp shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Materials sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
3.7%
Sector avg: 14%
Net Profit Margin
5.7%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
1.25x
Sector avg: 0.6x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

BALL Corp Balance Sheet: BALL Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.12x
Quick Ratio
0.72x
Debt/Equity
1.25x
Debt/Assets
71.6%
Interest Coverage
2.51x
Long-term Debt
$7.0B

BALL Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

BALL 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $13.8B, Net Income $536.0M, EPS $1.66. Year 2022: Revenue $15.3B, Net Income $582.0M, EPS $1.76. Year 2023: Revenue $15.3B, Net Income $878.0M, EPS $2.65. Year 2024: Revenue $13.4B, Net Income $732.0M, EPS $2.25. Year 2025: Revenue $13.2B, Net Income $711.0M, EPS $2.23.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: BALL Corp's revenue has remained relatively flat over the 5-year period, with a 5% decline. The most recent EPS of $2.23 reflects profitable operations.

BALL Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
-26.0%
Free cash flow / Revenue

BALL Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for BALL Corp including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q1 2026 $3.1B $179.0M $0.63
Q3 2025 $3.1B $199.0M $0.65
Q2 2025 $3.0B $159.0M $0.51
Q1 2025 $2.9B $179.0M $0.63
Q3 2024 $3.1B $199.0M $0.64
Q2 2024 $3.0B $159.0M $0.51
Q1 2024 $2.9B $180.0M $0.56
Q3 2023 $3.6B $204.0M $0.64

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

BALL Corp Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
-$777.0M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$1.0M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$161.0M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$54.0M
Returned to shareholders

BALL SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for BALL Corp (CIK: 0000009389)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
May 5, 2026 10-Q ball-20260331x10q.htm View →
May 5, 2026 8-K ball-20260505x8k.htm View →
May 1, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →
May 1, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →
May 1, 2026 4 xslF345X06/form4.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about BALL

What is the AI rating for BALL?

BALL Corp (BALL) has a Combined AI Grade of C from Claude (D) and ChatGPT (B) with 82% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are BALL's key strengths?

Claude: Top-line revenue growth of 11.6% year-over-year demonstrates market demand. Positive net income of $205M shows accounting profitability. ChatGPT: Revenue grew 11.6% year over year, indicating resilient demand and operating scale. Operating cash flow and free cash flow remain solid, providing internal funding capacity.

What are the risks of investing in BALL?

Claude: Negative operating cash flow of -$777M: company burning cash despite profitability, indicating structural operational issues. Negative free cash flow of -$938M unsustainable with $7.0B long-term debt; debt service at risk. ChatGPT: Core margins are extremely thin, leaving little room for cost inflation or execution issues. Interest coverage of 0.6x suggests elevated debt-servicing pressure and weak earnings protection.

What is BALL's revenue and growth?

BALL Corp reported revenue of $3.6B.

Does BALL pay dividends?

BALL Corp pays dividends, with $54.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find BALL SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for BALL Corp (CIK: 0000009389) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is BALL's EPS?

BALL Corp has a diluted EPS of $0.77.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

What is BALL's fundamental grade?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, BALL Corp has a C grade with 82% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.

Is BALL stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for BALL: ROE of 3.7% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 5.7% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

What is BALL's AI grade for 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives BALL Corp a combined C grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is BALL's free cash flow?

BALL Corp's operating cash flow is $-777.0M, with capital expenditures of $161.0M. FCF margin is -26.0%.

How does BALL compare to other Materials stocks?

Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin 5.7% (avg: 10%), ROE 3.7% (avg: 14%), current ratio 1.12 (avg: 1.6).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: May 7, 2026 | Data as of: 2026-03-31 | Powered by Claude AI