Compared to Estimates, Packaging Corp. (PKG) Q3 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

For the quarter ended September 2025, Packaging Corp. (PKG) reported revenue of $2.31 billion, up 6% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.73, compared to $2.65 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.26 billion, representing a surprise of +2.17%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -3.53%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.83.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.Here is how Packaging Corp. performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:Segment Sales- Packaging: $2.13 billion versus $2.1 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +5.9% change.Segment Sales- Corporate and Other: $24.1 million versus $17.26 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +67.4% change.Segment Sales- Paper: $161.2 million versus $151.38 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1.2% change.Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Packaging: $347.9 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $351.75 million.Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Corporate and Other: $-32.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $-32.77 million.Segment operating income (loss) excluding special items- Paper: $35.6 million versus $37.02 million estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Packaging Corp. here>>>Shares of Packaging Corp. have returned -2.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is HereThe AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.See "2nd Wave" AI stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Packaging Corporation of America (PKG): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks