Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Margin Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA increased 24% year-over-year; adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 260 basis points to 12.3%, driven by price/cost improvements and structural cost optimization.
Earnings Per Share Improvement
Earnings per share rose approximately 140% year-over-year, supported by higher EBITDA and lower interest expense following deleveraging.
Reaffirmed 2026 Guidance
Company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance of $630 million in adjusted EBITDA and $315 million in adjusted free cash flow, with an approximate 50% FCF conversion expectation.
Strong Free Cash Flow & Leverage Reduction
Leverage reduced to ~1.2x; company completed $130 million of a $150 million repurchase program in Q1 and expects to remain well below 2x leverage, enabling capital flexibility.
Large New Share Repurchase Authorization
Board approved a new $300 million share repurchase authorization to be executed in a disciplined manner; target to repurchase up to ~2% of shares outstanding annually.
Cost Optimization Progress
Run-rate cost optimization reached $65 million in early fiscal 2026 with a year-end run-rate commitment of $80–$90 million; significant SG&A and structural cost actions contributing to margin gains.
Portfolio Strength and Price/Mix Resilience
Total sales were roughly flat year-over-year despite mid-single-digit volume declines, reflecting strong price/mix and resilience of highest-performing products.
Capital Allocation Focused on High-Return Organic Growth
Maintenance CapEx materially reduced after containerboard sale, freeing capacity to fund targeted growth CapEx (notably small-format plastics) and margin-accretive organic investments.
New Technology Rollout (SIOC)
Proprietary SIOC barrier technology: first machine fully operational in France with three additional machines in production to be deployed this year; early orders received and optimistic long-term impact.