AptarGroup reported higher first-quarter sales for 2026, but profit declined as the company faced softer comparisons in parts of its pharma business and named Gael Touya as its next chief executive.
The US-based packaging and dispensing technology group said reported sales rose 11% in the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Core sales were flat. Reported net income fell 8% to $73 million, while reported earnings per share declined 4% to $1.12.
Adjusted earnings per share were $1.19, down 8% at constant currency. Aptar’s adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.2%, compared with 20.7% a year earlier. The company press release appears to show “2%” in one place, but market filings and financial summaries show 19.2%.
Aptar said its broader Pharma portfolio continued to see demand across GLP-1 therapies, biologics, systemic nasal drug delivery, nasal decongestants, ophthalmic dispensing and active material solutions.
However, the quarter was affected by emergency medicine destocking and a tough comparison with a strong prior-year period in prescription products.
The injectables division delivered another quarter of double-digit growth. Consumer dispensing also contributed positively, with volume growth across Beauty and Closures, supported by demand in prestige fragrance and beverage applications.
Aptar returned $131 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends during the quarter.
Why it matters
Aptar is a major supplier to pharma, beauty, food, beverage and consumer goods companies. Its results matter for the wider packaging sector because they show where demand is still holding up, and where customers are adjusting inventory.
For supermarket and FMCG supply chains, the Closures and Beauty performance is the most relevant part of the update. Demand in beverage applications and prestige fragrance points to continued activity in consumer packaging, even as margins remain under pressure.
Gael Touya will become Aptar’s next CEO on September 1, 2026. The leadership change comes as the group manages growth in healthcare packaging while also serving wider consumer packaging markets.
