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HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Sonoco (NYSE: SON), a global packaging company with a market capitalization of $4.3 billion, has announced an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend to $0.53 per share, marking its 100th consecutive year of dividend payments to shareholders. The announcement was made at the company’s annual meeting, with the new dividend to be paid on June 10, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 9, 2025. The increase elevates Sonoco’s annual dividend from $2.08 to $2.12 per share. According to InvestingPro data, the company has maintained a consistent dividend growth trajectory, with a 1.96% increase in the last twelve months.
This milestone represents the 400th consecutive quarter that Sonoco has paid dividends, dating back to 1925, and is also the 42nd consecutive year that the company has raised its dividend. Howard Coker, Sonoco’s president and chief executive officer, highlighted the company’s commitment to shareholder returns, stating that the dividend is a key component of Sonoco’s value creation strategy.
Over the past two years, Sonoco has generated approximately $1.7 billion in operating cash flow, which has been allocated towards investments for future growth and productivity savings. Despite the company’s focus on reducing leverage following its recent acquisition of Eviosys, the dividend remains a significant aspect of its financial approach.
Sonoco’s dividend yield, based on the closing price of its common stock on April 15, 2025, stands at approximately 4.8 percent. This yield is notably higher than the average dividend yield of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index.
Established in 1899, Sonoco has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with around 23,400 employees operating in 285 locations across 40 countries. The company’s packaging solutions cater to globally recognized brands, and it emphasizes sustainability and innovation in its operations. With an EBITDA of $895 million in the last twelve months and generally low price volatility, Sonoco maintains a stable market position. For detailed financial analysis and additional ProTips about Sonoco’s performance, investors can access the full suite of tools on InvestingPro.
The company has been recognized as one of America’s Most Trustworthy and Responsible Companies by Newsweek in 2025. Sonoco continues to focus on delivering better packaging options that align with its mission of "Better Packaging. Better Life."
The information in this report is based on a press release statement from Sonoco.
In other recent news, Sonoco Products Company completed the sale of its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business to TOPPAN Holdings Inc. for approximately $1.8 billion. This transaction is part of Sonoco’s strategy to streamline its operations and focus on its core sustainable packaging divisions. The company plans to use the $1.5 billion of after-tax cash proceeds to reduce its leverage, aligning with its commitment to improving its financial position.
Meanwhile, Sonae reported strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue reaching nearly €10 billion, an 18% increase from 2023. The company’s EBITDA also exceeded €1 billion for the first time, reflecting a 4.5% growth. Despite an increase in debt due to acquisitions, Sonae maintained a comfortable leverage ratio and proposed a 5% increase in its dividend per share. The company is also focusing on achieving sustainability targets, such as 100% plastic packaging recyclability by 2025.
These developments highlight significant strategic moves and financial performances from Sonoco and Sonae, providing insights into their current business focuses and future objectives.
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