Packaging Corporation Of America (PKG) has reported a 6.04 percent rise in profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. The company has earned $110.60 million, or $1.17 a share in the quarter, compared with $104.30 million, or $1.07 a share for the same period last year. On the other hand, adjusted net income for the quarter stood at $116.10 million, or $1.23 a share compared with $104.70 million or $1.08 a share, a year ago.

Revenue during the quarter grew 6.16 percent to $1,476.60 million from $1,390.90 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 166 basis points over the previous year period to 22.15 percent. Total expenses were 86.94 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 87.35 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 42 basis points in operating margin to 13.06 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $192.90 million, compared with $175.90 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted operating income for the quarter stood at $201.30 million compared to $176.20 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted operating margin improved 96 basis points in the quarter to 13.63 percent from 12.67 percent in the last year period.

Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We had an excellent quarter as we quickly integrated our containerboard volume into the TimBar and Columbus Container acquisitions. Our containerboard mill and corrugated products plant volumes were new all-time records while inventories, including our new acquisitions, were flat with year-end 2015 levels. Packaging segment prices, which had been declining throughout the year, moved higher as we began implementing the announced price increases to our containerboard and corrugated products customers throughout the fourth quarter. Our Paper segment also performed exceptionally well, maintaining good cost control during the seasonally slower fourth quarter."