PK
PKG
Dec 31, 2025
Quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 · FY2025 Q4

Packaging Corporation of America stock research

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Dec 31, 2025

Free cash flow was lower than the prior quarter but roughly stable compared with a year earlier, as a higher capital expenditure absorbed most of the operating cash flow. Revenue improved versus both comparison periods, yet the free cash flow margin weakened sequentially.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow was lower than the prior quarter but roughly stable compared with a year earlier, as a higher capital expenditure absorbed most of the operating cash flow. Revenue improved versus both comparison periods, yet the free cash flow margin weakened sequentially.

  • Operating cash flow was higher than a year ago but lower than the prior quarter, while capital expenditure rose sharply from both periods, resulting in a free cash flow margin that was lower than the preceding quarter and slightly below the year-ago level.
  • Compared with the prior quarter, revenue was higher but operating cash flow was lower, and capital expenditure increased, causing free cash flow and its margin to decline. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue and operating cash flow were higher, capital expenditure was higher, and free cash flow was slightly higher while the margin was slightly lower.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$728.6M

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$127.6M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$446.6M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$319.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

5.4%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2025-03-31$2.1B$339.1M$148.1M$191.0M8.9%
2025-06-30$2.2B$299.6M$169.7M$129.9M6.0%
2025-09-30$2.3B$472.2M$192.1M$280.1M12.1%
2025-12-31$2.4B$446.6M$319.0M$127.6M5.4%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income125.3%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue13.5%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$3.5BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

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Capital Expenditure Increase

Capital expenditure rose substantially from both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter, outpacing the growth in operating cash flow and compressing free cash flow.

Higher capital expenditure was the strongest observable factor reducing free cash flow in the current quarter.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Operating cash flow was higher than a year ago but lower than the prior quarter, while capital expenditure rose sharply from both periods, resulting in a free cash flow margin that was lower than the preceding quarter and slightly below the year-ago level.

Compared with the prior quarter, revenue was higher but operating cash flow was lower, and capital expenditure increased, causing free cash flow and its margin to decline. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue and operating cash flow were higher, capital expenditure was higher, and free cash flow was slightly higher while the margin was slightly lower.

Monitor the level of capital expenditure relative to operating cash flow, as the current quarter's higher spending reduced free cash flow conversion.