The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how International Paper (NYSE: IP) and the rest of the industrial packaging stocks fared in Q2.

Industrial packaging companies have built competitive advantages from economies of scale that lead to advantaged purchasing and capital investments that are difficult and expensive to replicate. Recently, eco-friendly packaging and conservation are driving customers preferences and innovation. For example, plastic is not as desirable a material as it once was. Despite being integral to consumer goods ranging from beer to toothpaste to laundry detergent, these companies are still at the whim of the macro, especially consumer health and consumer willingness to spend.

The 7 industrial packaging stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.6%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 10.3% since the latest earnings results.

International Paper (NYSE: IP)

Established in 1898, International Paper (NYSE: IP) produces containerboard, pulp, paper, and materials used in packaging and printing applications.

International Paper reported revenues of $6.00 billion, down 11.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

"Our teams delivered strong second quarter results as execution continued to improve across the company," said International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail.

International Paper delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The market seems disappointed with the results as the stock is down 17.6% since reporting and currently trades at $35.14.

Is now the time to buy International Paper? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY)

Founded as Kum Kleen Products, Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) is a manufacturer of adhesive materials, display graphics, and packaging products, serving various industries.

Avery Dennison reported revenues of $2.46 billion, up 10.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.3%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 2% since reporting. It currently trades at $170.42.

Is now the time to buy Avery Dennison? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG)

Founded in 1959, Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) produces containerboard and corrugated packaging products as well as displays and package protection.

Packaging Corporation of America reported revenues of $2.49 billion, up 14.7% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.

Interestingly, the stock is up 4% since the results and currently trades at $237.21.

Read our full analysis of Packaging Corporation of America’s results here.

Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK)

Formerly Crown Cork & Seal, Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK) produces packaging products for consumer marketing companies, including food, beverage, household, and industrial products.

Crown Holdings reported revenues of $3.67 billion, up 16.5% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 9.3%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 6.2% since reporting and currently trades at $107.45.

Read our full, actionable report on Crown Holdings here, it’s free.

Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN)

Established in 1987, Silgan Holdings (NYSE: SLGN) is a supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, specializing in metal containers, closures, and plastic packaging.

Silgan Holdings reported revenues of $1.64 billion, up 6.8% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced full-year EPS guidance meeting analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 23.8% since reporting and currently trades at $36.57.

Read our full, actionable report on Silgan Holdings here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.