Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) announced its third-quarter results for 2024, showing strong performance across its global operations. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the company reported a 15% increase in Adjusted EBITDA to $196 million, exceeding prior guidance.
CEO Oliver Graham commented, “Our strong business performance delivered double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth, driven by favorable volume/mix, higher input cost recovery, and lower operating costs. Beverage can consumption trends remain resilient, particularly in Europe, and we remain confident in our ability to continue outperforming other packaging types.” He also raised the full-year Adjusted EBITDA forecast to $650-$660 million, up from earlier expectations of $640-$660 million.
Global beverage can shipments grew by 2%, with the Americas increasing by 1% and Europe by 2%. However, North America experienced a slowdown in growth, compared to a 20% increase in the previous year, driven by strong energy drink demand that has since softened.
In the Americas, Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $117 million, driven by favorable volume/mix effects and lower operating costs. In Europe, Adjusted EBITDA rose by 18% to $79 million, largely due to stronger input cost recovery and favorable volume/mix, despite higher operating costs.
Revenue for the quarter increased by 1% to $1.31 billion, primarily due to the pass-through of higher input costs, offset by unfavorable volume/mix effects. The company also maintained a strong liquidity position, ending the quarter with $0.7 billion in cash.
AMP projects further deleveraging in the fourth quarter and expects liquidity to reach approximately $1 billion by year-end. A regular quarterly dividend of 10 cents has been announced, with no change to the company’s capital allocation priorities.