Sonoco Products Company (SON)

Financial leverage ratio

Dec 31, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Jun 30, 2024 Mar 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Sep 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2023 Mar 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Sep 30, 2022 Jun 30, 2022 Mar 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020
Total assets US$ in thousands 12,507,800 9,042,860 7,154,660 7,198,280 7,191,960 7,270,000 7,048,990 7,061,430 7,089,910 6,975,650 6,989,510 6,955,990 5,085,330 4,925,150 4,994,040 5,280,750 5,277,260 5,767,230 5,738,860 5,012,140
Total stockholders’ equity US$ in thousands 2,286,210 2,478,940 2,434,640 2,427,480 2,431,840 2,339,160 2,299,320 2,205,560 2,072,800 1,935,080 1,929,680 1,918,930 1,849,540 1,860,730 1,822,430 1,912,800 1,910,530 1,881,330 1,807,700 1,755,440
Financial leverage ratio 5.47 3.65 2.94 2.97 2.96 3.11 3.07 3.20 3.42 3.60 3.62 3.62 2.75 2.65 2.74 2.76 2.76 3.07 3.17 2.86

December 31, 2024 calculation

Financial leverage ratio = Total assets ÷ Total stockholders’ equity
= $12,507,800K ÷ $2,286,210K
= 5.47

The financial leverage ratio measures the proportion of a company's debt to its equity, reflecting its level of financial risk and dependency on debt financing.

Analyzing the financial leverage ratio of Sonoco Products Company from March 31, 2020, to December 31, 2024, we observe fluctuations over the period. The ratio stood at 2.86 on March 31, 2020, and increased to 3.17 by June 30, 2020, indicating an increase in leverage. Subsequently, the ratio decreased to 2.76 by December 31, 2020, before stabilizing around 2.76 to 2.74 until June 30, 2021.

From September 30, 2021, to December 31, 2024, there was a noticeable upward trend in the financial leverage ratio, reaching a peak of 5.47 on December 31, 2024. This substantial increase in leverage from around 2.75 to 5.47 suggests a significant rise in debt relative to equity during this period.

The spike in the financial leverage ratio in the latter part of the period could indicate various factors such as aggressive expansion, acquisitions, or perhaps challenges in generating sufficient cash flow to support the debt load. A high financial leverage ratio implies higher financial risk for the company, as it indicates a greater reliance on borrowed funds.

It would be crucial for stakeholders to closely monitor Sonoco Products Company's leverage levels and ensure that the company can manage its debt obligations effectively while sustaining its financial health and growth prospects.


Peer comparison

Dec 31, 2024

Company name
Symbol
Financial leverage ratio
Sonoco Products Company
SON
5.47
Graphic Packaging Holding Company
GPK
3.70
Packaging Corp of America
PKG
2.01
Smurfit WestRock plc
SW
2.52