S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC) is charging higher today.
Shares in the global packaging giant, which commands a market cap just north of $14 billion, closed yesterday trading for $12.17. In morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $12.80 apiece, up 5.2%.
For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.5% at this same time.
Here's what's grabbing investor interest today.
ASX 200 stock on the growth path
The Amcor share price is storming higher following the release of the company's September quarter (Q1 FY 2026) results.
This marks the first full quarter that the ASX 200 stock is operating as a combined Amcor and Berry business. Amcor first announced the deal to acquire Berry Global on 20 November 2024. Amcor then completed its all-stock acquisition of the United States-based packaging company on 30 April.
In today's results, those promised synergies are on display.
Highlights from the quarter include a 68% increase in net sales on a constant currency basis to US$5.75 billion.
And earnings rocketed, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up 92% to US$909 million.
On a per share basis, adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were up 18% to 19.3 US cents.
Earnings margins also improved, with Amcor reporting EBIT margins of 12%, up 1.10%.
And passive income investors will be pleased with the unfranked dividend of 13 US cents per share, up 2%. Unlike most ASX 200 stocks, Amcor pays quarterly dividends. The stock trades on an unfranked trailing dividend yield of around 6.5%.
What did management say?
Commenting on the results of the combined Amcor and Berry businesses that are boosting the ASX 200 stock today, Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny said, "We are now seeing the quality of the combined business as the global leader in consumer packaging and dispensing solutions for nutrition, health, beauty and wellness."
Konieczny continued:
We are gaining traction with synergy realization, including commercial synergies, and have solid pipelines which continue to grow. Margins increased in both operating segments. And we are addressing identified non-core assets to enhance focus on our core business.
He added that Amcor has a "clear line of sight" to delivering at least $260 million of synergy benefits in FY 2026.
Looking at what could impact the ASX 200 stock in the year ahead, Konieczny said:
We are confident in delivering $650 million of identified synergies, and over the three-year period ending fiscal 28 we expect synergies alone to drive more than 30% EPS growth.
At the same time, we are focused on capturing organic growth opportunities to create an even stronger business that delivers significant long-term value for shareholders and is the global packaging partner of choice for customers.
Amcor reaffirmed its FY 2026 guidance for adjusted EPS in the range of 80 US cents to 83 US cents.
