Sonoco jumps as Q1 GAAP profit rises and dividend hike draws buyers
Sonoco shares are rising after the company’s April 21, 2026 first-quarter results highlighted GAAP EPS of $0.68 (up from $0.55 a year ago) and GAAP net income of $67.6 million. The move also reflects renewed income-focused demand following Sonoco’s April 15, 2026 dividend increase to $0.54 per share (paid June 10, 2026).
1. What’s moving the stock
Sonoco Products Company (SON) is trading sharply higher today as investors rotate into defensive, cash-return stories and re-rate the stock after the company’s late-April updates. The key near-term catalysts are Sonoco’s first-quarter 2026 earnings release (filed April 21, 2026) showing higher GAAP profitability year over year and its recently announced dividend increase (April 15, 2026), which can attract incremental buying from income-focused funds and retail dividend screens.
2. Key earnings details investors are reacting to
For the quarter ended March 29, 2026, Sonoco reported GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco of $67.6 million versus $54.4 million a year earlier, and diluted GAAP EPS of $0.68 versus $0.55. On a non-GAAP basis, Sonoco reported adjusted diluted EPS of $1.20, with results including acquisition/integration items tied to its Eviosys acquisition and prior divestitures, plus restructuring and amortization charges that investors often normalize when assessing earnings power.
3. Dividend hike adds a second tailwind
On April 15, 2026, Sonoco’s board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.54 per share from $0.53, lifting the annualized payout to $2.16. The dividend is scheduled to be paid June 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 8, 2026, which can mechanically boost demand as income strategies rebalance and investors position ahead of the record date.