Ball’s 2014 trading update

The Ball Corporation has released its trading results for the full-year 2014. Highlights from the update include:

– Full-year 2014 comparable earnings per diluted share were $3.88 vs. $3.28 in 2013; an increase of 18%
– Fourth quarter comparable earnings per diluted share were 84 cents vs. 86 cents in 2013
– Solid manufacturing performance and a lower tax rate nearly offset flat demand for global metal packaging and unfavourable earnings translation in the fourth quarter
– Strong free cash flow exceeded $620 million in 2014.

“2014 was a record year for the company in terms of comparable earnings per share and free cash flow. Our global beverage can business performed very well in the year, and our aerospace business also achieved record results through solid program execution and the benefit of several launches,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We continue to actively manage our asset base and work with our aerospace and packaging customers to meet their future needs.”