BALL CORP
10-Q, 1998-08-12
METAL CANS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


             [ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  For the quarterly period ended June 28, 1998


                          Commission file number 1-7349

                                BALL CORPORATION

                           State of Indiana 35-0160610

                       10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000
                            Broomfield, CO 80038-5000
                                  303/469-3131


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

              Class                             Outstanding at June 28, 1998
- - -----------------------------------          -----------------------------------
  Common Stock, without par value                    30,495,627 shares



<PAGE>



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                       For the period ended June 28, 1998



                                      INDEX

                                                                    Page Number
                                                                    -----------
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Item 1.   Financial Statements

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of 
            Income for the three and six month periods ended
            June 28, 1998 and June 29, 1997                             3

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at 
            June 28, 1998 and December 31, 1997                         4

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of 
            Cash Flows for the six month periods ended June 28,
            1998 and June 29, 1997                                      5

          Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
            Financial Statements                                        6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
          Condition and Results of Operations                          11

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION                                            16




<PAGE>


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
              UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                 (Millions of dollars except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Three months ended                 Six months ended
                                                                    -----------------------------    -------------------------------
                                                                      June 28,         June 29,         June 28,          June 29,
                                                                       1998             1997             1998              1997
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------
  <S>                                                               <C>              <C>             <C>               <C>  
   Net sales                                                         $   645.6        $   643.7       $  1,195.3        $  1,123.5
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------

   Costs and expenses
     Cost of sales                                                       568.8            572.8          1,060.0           1,004.4
     General and administrative expenses                                  25.4             27.9             53.8              54.6
     Selling and product development expenses
                                                                           5.0              5.2             10.0               8.9
     Relocation costs                                                      4.0             --               10.3              --
     Dispositions and other                                               --               (7.5)            --                (8.7)
     Interest expense                                                     13.4             15.4             26.1              25.3
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------
                                                                         616.6            613.8          1,160.2           1,084.5
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------

   Income before taxes on income                                          29.0             29.9             35.1              39.0

   Provision for taxes on income                                         (12.2)           (11.9)           (15.3)            (14.7)
   Minority interests                                                      1.4              2.3              4.0               3.9
   Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates                               0.8              0.5              0.5              (0.4)
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------


   Net income                                                             19.0             20.8             24.3              27.8

   Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit                                (0.7)            (0.7)            (1.4)             (1.4)
                                                                    ------------     ------------    -------------     -------------

   Earnings available to common shareholders
                                                                    $     18.3       $     20.1      $      22.9       $      26.4
                                                                    ============     ============    =============     =============

   Earnings per share of common stock                               $     0.60       $     0.67      $     0.76        $     0.87
                                                                    ============     ============    =============     =============

   Diluted earnings per share                                       $     0.57       $     0.63      $     0.72        $     0.83
                                                                    ============     ============    =============     =============

   Cash dividends declared per common share
                                                                    $     0.15       $     0.15      $      0.30       $      0.30
                                                                    ============     ============    =============     =============

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>


                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                              (Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                June 28,             December 31,
                                                                                                  1998                   1997
                                                                                           ------------------    -------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                   <C>
ASSETS
Current assets                                                                                                 
   Cash and temporary investments                                                           $        68.4          $        25.5
   Accounts receivable, net                                                                         339.2                  301.4
   Inventories, net
     Raw materials and supplies                                                                     145.6                  184.9
     Work in process and finished goods                                                             245.0                  228.4
   Deferred income tax benefits and prepaid expenses                                                 56.6                   57.9
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
     Total current assets                                                                           854.8                  798.1
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost                                                            1,546.0                1,556.1
Accumulated depreciation                                                                           (680.2)                (636.6)
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
                                                                                                    865.8                  919.5
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

Investment in affiliates                                                                             75.6                   74.5
Goodwill, net                                                                                       212.8                  194.8
Other assets                                                                                        104.5                  103.2
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
                                                                                            $     2,113.5          $     2,090.1
                                                                                           ==================     ==================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
   Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt                                    $       430.4          $       407.0
   Accounts payable                                                                                 270.7                  258.6
   Salaries and wages                                                                                61.5                   78.3
   Other current liabilities                                                                         94.0                   93.9
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
     Total current liabilities                                                                      856.6                  837.8
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

Noncurrent liabilities
   Long-term debt                                                                                   354.6                  366.1
   Deferred income taxes                                                                             62.2                   60.5
   Employee benefit obligations and other                                                           143.4                  139.8
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
     Total noncurrent liabilities                                                                   560.2                  566.4
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

Contingencies
Minority interests                                                                                   41.3                   51.7
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

Shareholders' equity
   Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock                                                         59.4                   59.9
   Unearned compensation - ESOP                                                                     (33.6)                 (37.0)
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
     Preferred shareholder's equity                                                                  25.8                   22.9
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------

   Common stock (issued 34,261,735 shares - 1998;
      33,759,234 shares - 1997)                                                                     352.4                  336.9
   Retained earnings                                                                                416.1                  402.3
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                             (25.6)                 (22.8)
   Treasury stock, at cost (3,766,108 shares - 1998;
      3,539,574 shares - 1997)                                                                     (113.3)                (105.1)
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
     Common shareholders' equity                                                                    629.6                  611.3
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
           Total shareholders' equity                                                               655.4                  634.2
                                                                                           ------------------     ------------------
                                                                                            $     2,113.5          $     2,090.1
                                                                                           ==================     ==================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
                             STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                              (Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Six months ended
                                                                                               -------------------------------------
                                                                                                   June 28,             June 29,
                                                                                                    1998                 1997
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>                  <C>  

Cash flows from operating activities
   Net income                                                                                   $   24.3             $   27.8
   Reconciliation of net income
      to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                                                  65.9                 54.4
     Relocation costs                                                                               10.3                 --
     Other, net                                                                                     (2.5)                (3.3)
     Changes in working capital components,
        excluding effect of acquisition                                                            (25.7)               (95.6)
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------
       Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                          72.3                (16.7)
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------

Cash flows from investing activities
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                                                      (37.7)               (59.4)
   Investments in and advances to affiliates                                                        (2.8)               (18.3)
   Acquisition of M. C. Packaging, net of cash acquired                                             --                 (156.3)
   Proceeds from sale of equity investment                                                          --                   26.2
   Net cash from company-owned life insurance                                                        2.5                 15.0
   Other, net                                                                                       (0.9)                 6.5
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------
       Net cash used in investing activities                                                       (38.9)              (186.3)
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------

Cash flows from financing activities
   Net change in long-term debt                                                                    (24.3)               (24.6)
   Net change in short-term debt                                                                    40.9                104.7
   Common and preferred dividends                                                                  (12.0)               (11.8)
   Net proceeds from issuance of common stock under various employee and
     shareholder plans                                                                              15.4                  8.5
   Acquisitions of treasury stock                                                                   (8.2)               (16.9)
   Preferred stock retired                                                                          (0.5)                (0.8)
   Other, net                                                                                       (1.8)                 2.6
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------
       Net cash provided by financing activities                                                     9.5                 61.7
                                                                                               ----------------     ----------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                                     42.9               (141.3)
Cash and temporary investments:
   Beginning of period                                                                              25.5                169.2
                                                                                               ================     ================
   End of period                                                                                $   68.4             $   27.9
                                                                                               ================     ================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>


Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
June 28, 1998

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
General.
The accompanying  condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
by the Company  without audit.  Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures,
including  significant  accounting  policies,  normally  included  in  financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been  condensed or omitted.  The  preparation  of financial  statements  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles requires management to
make estimates and  assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and
liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial  statements,  and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period.  Future events could affect these estimates.  However, the
Company believes that the financial statements reflect all adjustments which are
of a normal  recurring  nature and are  necessary  for a fair  statement  of the
results for the interim period.

Results of operations  for the periods shown are not  necessarily  indicative of
results for the year,  particularly  in view of some  seasonality  in  packaging
operations.   It  is  suggested  that  these  unaudited  condensed  consolidated
financial  statements and  accompanying  notes be read in  conjunction  with the
consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  notes  thereto  included  in  the
Company's latest annual report.

Reclassifications.
Certain prior year amounts have been  reclassified  in order to conform with the
1998 presentation.

New Accounting Standards.
Effective  January 1, 1998,  Ball  adopted  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," and SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosure  about Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information."  See the
note,  "Shareholders'  Equity" for information  regarding SFAS No. 130. SFAS No.
131 establishes  standards for reporting information about operating segments in
annual financial statements and requires interim reporting of selected operating
segments information effective, for Ball, in 1999.

SFAS No. 132,  "Employers'  Disclosures about Pensions and Other  Postretirement
Benefits,"   standardizes   disclosure   requirements  for  pensions  and  other
postretirement  benefit plans and is effective for Ball in 1998.  This statement
does not affect the measurement or recognition of such plans.

SFAS No. 133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities,"
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and is
effective,  for Ball, in 2000. The effect, if any, of adopting this standard has
not yet been determined.

Statement  of Position  (SOP) No.  98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," establishes new accounting and
reporting standards for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for
internal  use and is  effective,  for Ball,  in 1999.  The  effect,  if any,  of
adopting this standard has not yet been determined.

SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities," requires costs of
start-up activities be expensed as incurred and is effective, for Ball, in 1999.
The effect, if any, of adopting this standard has not yet been determined.


Acquisitions.
Reynolds Global Can Business
In April 1998, Ball and Reynolds Metals Company  (Reynolds)  signed a definitive
agreement,  under which Ball would acquire substantially all of Reynolds' global
aluminum beverage container manufacturing business for a total purchase price of
approximately  $820  million.  In June 1998,  Ball and Reynolds  stated that the
agreement previously announced would not include Reynolds' 34.9 percent interest
in Latas de Aluminio S.A. (Latasa),  a South American beverage can manufacturer.
As a  result,  the  purchase  price of $820  million  in that  agreement,  which
included Latasa, will be reduced to approximately $746 million.

Ball will acquire all of Reynolds'  North  American  beverage can  manufacturing
assets,  which  consist  largely  of 16  plants in 12 states  and  Puerto  Rico.
Simultaneous with the transaction,  the Company will refinance certain currently
outstanding debt at favorable rates.

Difficulties in obtaining the third party consents and waivers necessary for the
purchase of Latasa in a timely manner resulted in the decision to remove it from
the main transaction.  Reynolds intends to work with Latasa's other stockholders
to agree upon and  implement a process  that will  permit the sale of  Reynolds'
interest  in Latasa in the near  future.  Ball  continues  to be  interested  in
acquiring those shares.

Ball and Reynolds have agreed to discuss further the possible later  acquisition
by Ball of Reynolds'  minority interest in a can manufacturing  company in Saudi
Arabia.

Relocation and Other.
In  February  1998,   Ball  announced  that  it  would  relocate  its  corporate
headquarters to an existing company-owned building in Broomfield,  Colorado. The
total cost of the headquarters  relocation is estimated to be approximately  $20
million  ($12.2  million  after tax or 40 cents per share).  Generally  accepted
accounting  principles do not permit financial statement  recognition of certain
costs,  such as employee  relocation,  until they are  incurred.  Therefore  the
Company  recorded  pretax  charges of $6.3 million ($3.8 million after tax or 13
cents per share) and $4.0  million  ($2.4  million  after tax or eight cents per
share) for costs paid or  incurred  in the first and  second  quarters  of 1998,
respectively,  and to reflect the  estimated  net  realizable  values of certain
properties and assets in Muncie, Indiana, the previous location of the corporate
headquarters.  It is anticipated that the remainder of the relocation costs will
be recorded and paid largely in the second half of 1998.

Sale of Investment and Other.
The Company sold its equity  investment  in a  technology  business in the first
half of 1997.  The first and second  quarters of 1997  included  pretax gains of
$1.2 million  ($0.7  million after tax or two cents per share) and $10.5 million
($6.4 million after tax or 21 cents per share), respectively.

In the second  quarter of 1997,  the  Company  recorded a pretax  charge of $3.0
million  ($1.8  million  after tax or six cents per  share) to close a small PET
container  manufacturing plant in connection with the acquisition of certain PET
container manufacturing assets.



<PAGE>


Shareholders' Equity.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," effective
January 1, 1998.  In  accordance  with SFAS No. 130,  the Company is required to
report the changes in  shareholders'  equity from all sources  during the period
other than those resulting from investments by shareholders  (i.e.,  issuance or
repurchase of common shares and dividends).  Although  adoption of this standard
has not resulted in any change to the  historic  basis of the  determination  of
earnings or shareholders'  equity, the comprehensive  income components recorded
under generally accepted accounting principles and previously included under the
category, "retained earnings," are displayed as "accumulated other comprehensive
loss,"  within  the  unaudited   condensed   consolidated   balance  sheet.  The
composition  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  at  June  28,  1998 is
primarily  the  cumulative  adjustment  for  foreign  currency  translation  and
additional minimum pension liability.

Total comprehensive  income for the three and six month periods of 1998 is $16.9
million and $21.5  million,  respectively,  and $21.7 million and $29.2 million,
for the comparative  periods of 1997,  respectively.  The difference between net
income and comprehensive  income for the three and six month periods of 1998 and
1997 is the adjustment for foreign currency translation.

Issued and outstanding  shares of the Series B ESOP Convertible  Preferred Stock
were  1,616,667  shares at June 28, 1998,  and 1,635,410  shares at December 31,
1997.



<PAGE>


Earnings Per Share.
The following  table  provides  additional  information  on the  computation  of
earnings per share amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              Three months ended                        Six months ended
                                                      -----------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
(dollars in millions except
  per share amounts)                                     June 28,            June 29,            June 28,              June 29,
                                                           1998                1997                1998                  1997
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Earnings per Common Share
Net income                                              $   19.0            $   20.8            $   24.3              $   27.8
  Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit
                                                            (0.7)               (0.7)               (1.4)                 (1.4)
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------
Net earnings available to common
  shareholders                                          $   18.3            $   20.1            $   22.9              $   26.4
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------

Weighted average common shares (000s)
                                                          30,322              30,212              30,264                30,328
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------

Earnings per common share                                $  0.60            $  0.67              $  0.76               $  0.87
                                                      ===============    ================    =================    ==================

   Diluted Earnings per Share
   Net income                                           $   19.0           $   20.8             $   24.3              $   27.8
     Adjustment for deemed ESOP cash
     contribution in lieu of the ESOP
     Preferred dividend                                    (0.5)              (0.5)                 (1.1)                 (1.0)
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------
   Adjusted net earnings available to common
     shareholders                                      $   18.5           $   20.3              $   23.2              $   26.8
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------

   Weighted average common shares (000s)
                                                         30,322             30,212                30,264                30,328
     Effect of dilutive stock options                       282                 90                   224                    62
     Common shares issuable upon conversion of
     the ESOP Preferred stock
                                                          1,869              1,911                 1,879                 1,924
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------
   Weighted average shares applicable
     to diluted earnings per share                       32,473             32,213                32,367                32,314
                                                      ---------------    ----------------    -----------------    ------------------

   Diluted earnings per share                           $  0.57            $  0.63               $  0.72               $  0.83
                                                      ===============    ================    =================    ==================
</TABLE>
Subsequent Event.
On August 10, 1998, Ball completed its acquisition of the domestic  beverage can
business assets of Reynolds for approximately $746 million in cash.

Contingencies.
In the ordinary course of business,  the Company is subject to various risks and
uncertainties due, in part, to the competitive nature of the industries in which
Ball  participates,  its  operations  in  developing  markets  outside the U.S.,
changing  commodity  prices for the  materials  used in the  manufacture  of its
products, and changing capital markets. Where practicable,  the Company attempts
to reduce  these  risks and  uncertainties,  through the  establishment  of risk
management  policies and  procedures,  including,  at times,  the use of certain
derivative financial instruments.

The Company was not in default of any loan  agreement at June 28, 1998,  and has
met all payment obligations.  M.C. Packaging was, however, in noncompliance with
certain  financial ratio provisions under a fixed term loan agreement,  of which
approximately  $34 million was outstanding at quarter end.  Effective  August 4,
1998,  the fixed term loan  agreement was amended.  The amendment  resulted in a
waiver of the previously reported covenant noncompliance issues.

The U.S.  government  is disputing  the  Company's  claim to  recoverability  of
reimbursed costs associated with Ball's Employee Stock Ownership Plan for fiscal
years 1989 through 1995, as well as the corresponding  prospective costs accrued
after 1995.  In October 1995,  the Company filed its complaint  before the Armed
Services Board of Contract  Appeals (ASBCA)  seeking final  adjudication of this
matter.  Trial before the ASBCA was conducted in January 1997. While the outcome
of the trial is not yet known,  the Company's  information at this time does not
indicate that this matter will have a material,  adverse  effect upon  financial
condition,  results of operations or  competitive  position of the Company.  For
additional  information  regarding  this matter,  refer to the Company's  latest
annual report.

From time to time, the Company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
Ball as a potentially  responsible  party,  along with numerous other companies,
for the  cleanup  of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the  Company's
information  at this time  does not  indicate  that  these  matters  will have a
material,  adverse  effect  upon  financial  condition,  results of  operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the Company.


<PAGE>


Item 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
          CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's  discussion  and analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
unaudited  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  and the  accompanying
notes.  Ball Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively as "Ball"
or the "Company" in the following discussion and analysis.

ACQUISITION

In April 1998, Ball and Reynolds Metals Company  (Reynolds)  signed a definitive
agreement,  under which Ball would acquire substantially all of Reynolds' global
aluminum beverage container manufacturing business for a total purchase price of
approximately  $820  million.  In June 1998,  Ball and Reynolds  stated that the
agreement previously announced would not include Reynolds' 34.9 percent interest
in Latas de Aluminio S.A. (Latasa),  a South American beverage can manufacturer.
As a  result,  the  purchase  price of $820  million  in that  agreement,  which
included Latasa, will be reduced to approximately $746 million.

Ball will acquire all of Reynolds'  North  American  beverage can  manufacturing
assets,  which  consist  largely  of 16  plants in 12 states  and  Puerto  Rico.
Simultaneous with the transaction,  the Company will refinance certain currently
outstanding debt at favorable rates.

Difficulties in obtaining the third party consents and waivers necessary for the
purchase of Latasa in a timely manner resulted in the decision to remove it from
the main transaction.  Reynolds intends to work with Latasa's other stockholders
to agree upon and  implement a process  that will  permit the sale of  Reynolds'
interest  in Latasa in the near  future.  Ball  continues  to be  interested  in
acquiring those shares.

Ball and Reynolds have agreed to discuss further the possible later  acquisition
by Ball of Reynolds'  minority interest in a can manufacturing  company in Saudi
Arabia.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Results
Consolidated  net  sales  of  $645.6  million  for the  second  quarter  of 1998
increased  slightly  compared to the second  quarter of 1997.  For the first six
months of 1998,  consolidated  net sales were $1.2  billion,  an increase of 6.4
percent over the same period for 1997. The increased sales reflect the increased
volume from both the plastic and metal beverage container operations,  partially
offset by lower sales from the aerospace and technologies segment.

Net earnings available to common  shareholders of $18.3 million, or 60 cents per
share,  for the second  quarter of 1998 included a pretax charge of $4.0 million
($2.4  million  after tax or eight  cents per share) for the  relocation  of the
Company's  corporate office.  Net earnings  available to common  shareholders of
$20.1  million,  or 67 cents per share for the second quarter of 1997 included a
net after-tax gain of $5.4 million, or 18 cents per share, largely the result of
the sale of an interest in a  technology  business  and  recognition  of certain
research and development tax credits.  Excluding  these, on a comparable  basis,
earnings from operations for the quarter rose from 49 cents per share in 1997 to
68 cents per share in 1998, an increase of 39 percent.

For the first half of 1998, earnings available to common shareholders were $22.9
million,  or 76 cents per share,  including an after-tax charge of $6.3 million,
or 21 cents per share,  for costs incurred in connection  with the relocation of
the  corporate  headquarters.  In the first  half of 1997,  earnings  were $26.4
million, or 87 cents per share,  including a net after-tax gain of $7.8 million,
or 25 cents per share,  largely  attributable to the sale of the interest in the
technology business and to the tax credits.

In  February  1998,   Ball  announced  that  it  would  relocate  its  corporate
headquarters to an existing company-owned building in Broomfield,  Colorado. The
total cost of the headquarters  relocation is estimated to be approximately  $20
million  ($12.2  million  after tax or 40 cents per share).  Generally  accepted
accounting  principles do not permit financial statement  recognition of certain
costs,  such as employee  relocation,  until they are  incurred.  Therefore  the
Company  recorded  pretax  charges of $6.3 million ($3.8 million after tax or 13
cents per share) and $4.0  million  ($2.4  million  after tax or eight cents per
share) for costs paid or  incurred  in the first and  second  quarters  of 1998,
respectively,  and to reflect the  estimated  net  realizable  values of certain
properties and assets in Muncie, Indiana, the previous location of the corporate
headquarters.  It is anticipated that the remainder of the relocation costs will
be recorded and paid largely in the second half of 1998.

The Company sold its  investment  in a technology  business in the first half of
1997.  The first and  second  quarters  of 1997  included  pretax  gains of $1.2
million  ($0.7 million after tax or two cents per share) and $10.5 million ($6.4
million after tax or 21 cents per share), respectively.

In the second  quarter of 1997,  the  Company  recorded a pretax  charge of $3.0
million  ($1.8  million  after tax or six cents per  share) to close a small PET
container  manufacturing plant in connection with the acquisition of certain PET
container manufacturing assets.

Interest and Taxes
Consolidated  interest expense for the second quarter and the first half of 1998
was $13.4 million and $26.1 million, respectively, compared to $15.4 million and
$25.3 million,  for the same periods of 1997,  respectively.  The second quarter
decrease  is  largely  attributable  to a  decrease  in  the  average  level  of
short-term  borrowings.  Interest expense  increased  slightly for the six month
period primarily resulting from higher 1998 interest rates,  partially offset by
a decrease in the average level of short-term borrowings outstanding.

Ball's  consolidated  effective  income tax rate was 42.1 percent for the second
quarter of 1998  compared to 39.8 percent for the 1997 second  quarter.  For the
first half of 1998,  the  effective  tax rate was 43.6 percent  compared to 37.7
percent for 1997.  The lower 1997  effective  tax rates  reflect a reduction  in
taxes  attributable to creditable costs of U.S. research and development of $1.7
million (five cents per share) and $0.8 million  (three cents per share) for the
first  and  second  quarters,  respectively.  Excluding  the  tax  credits,  the
consolidated effective income tax rates for the second quarter and first half of
1997 would have been 42.5 percent and 43.9 percent, respectively.

Results of Equity Affiliates
Equity in  earnings  of  affiliates  for the  second  quarter  of 1998 were $0.8
million compared to $0.5 million for the 1997 second quarter.  For the six month
periods,  equity in earnings of affiliates  were $0.5 million and a loss of $0.4
million  for 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Equity  earnings in  affiliates  are
largely attributable to equity investments in China,  Thailand and Brazil. Since
a change in  Thailand's  monetary  policy in early July 1997,  the Thai baht has
depreciated  significantly  versus the U.S.  dollar.  Since the end of the first
quarter,  the Thai baht has strengthened  against the U.S. dollar, such that the
first quarter loss has been offset. However, the Thai baht remains volatile, and
there can be no  assurance  that the current  trend will  continue.  Results for
1997, include the effects of costs for start-up  operations in Brazil,  Thailand
and China, as well as lower earnings from certain equity  affiliates  reflecting
the market softness in China which continues in 1998.



<PAGE>


Business Segments
Packaging
Packaging  segment net sales were $562.0  million for the second quarter of 1998
compared to $540.3  million in the second  quarter of 1997. Six month period net
sales were $1,023.1 million and $922.3 million for 1998 and 1997,  respectively.
Segment  operating  earnings for the three month period of 1998  increased  from
1997  largely as a result of improved  earnings  both within the North  American
metal beverage business and the plastic container operations.  Segment operating
earnings  increased in the six month period of 1998  compared to the same period
of 1997 as a result of improved  earnings  within the  combined  North  American
metal food and beverage container businesses and reduced operating losses within
the plastic container business  resulting from improved operating  efficiencies,
both partially offset by lower results within FTB packaging operations.

Within  the  packaging  segment,  sales in the  combined  North  American  metal
container  business  increased 3.5 percent and 6.3 percent for the three and six
month  periods,  respectively.  The  increase  in  sales  resulted  from  higher
shipments  of  metal  beverage  containers  in both  1998  periods,  which  were
partially  offset by lower  second  quarter  shipments  within  the  metal  food
container business,  due in large part, to reduced salmon can volumes. The lower
metal  food can  shipments  also  resulted  in lower  second  quarter  operating
earnings.  However,  year-to-date  1998  sales for the metal  food can  business
remained at a higher level than the prior year due to the strong  first  quarter
shipments.  Operating  earnings  for the six  month  period  in both  the  North
American  metal food and beverage  container  businesses  increased  compared to
1997, due in part to improved operating efficiencies and increased shipments.

Plastic  container  sales  for the six  months  represented  approximately  nine
percent of  consolidated  1998 net sales  compared to five percent in 1997.  The
1998 second quarter plastic  container  operations were  significantly  improved
over the same  period  in 1997.  The  business  operated  at a loss for the 1998
year-to-date  period,  though at a significantly  reduced level from 1997. Costs
associated with the start-up of new plants in Iowa and New Jersey contributed to
the  operating  loss in 1997.  Ball  acquired  certain  manufacturing  assets of
Brunswick  Container in early July 1997 and began  supplying  PET bottles to the
Honickman Group of bottling companies under a multi-year contract.

Sales within  Ball's FTB  Packaging  operations  increased for the first half of
1998 compared to the same period of 1997.  Sales during the 1998 second  quarter
decreased from the second quarter of 1997,  while operating  earnings  increased
from 1997.  Year-to-date  operating losses for 1998 continue to reflect the soft
metal beverage  container  market in China,  as well as lower pricing  resulting
from the current supply/demand imbalance in that area.

Aerospace and Technologies
Sales in the aerospace and  technologies  segment for the second quarter and six
month  periods  of  1998   decreased  to  $83.6  million  and  $172.2   million,
respectively,  compared to $103.4  million and $201.2 million in 1997. The sales
reduction  from  1997 to 1998  reflects,  in large  part,  reduced  activity  in
connection with a classified program and the unusually strong demand in 1997 for
certain  telecommunications  equipment  and related  products.  Demand for those
products  in 1998  returned  to more  normal  levels.  Operating  earnings  also
decreased in 1998  compared to 1997,  reflecting  both the effects of lower 1998
sales and a strong demand for certain higher margin telecommunications equipment
in 1997, including one-time early delivery incentives earned. Backlog at the end
of June 1998 was  approximately  $352  million  compared to  approximately  $267
million at  December  31,  1997,  and $310  million at the end of the June 1997.
Year-to-year  comparisons of backlog are not necessarily indicative of the trend
of future operations.



<PAGE>


FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash  provided by operations  in 1998 of $72.3  million  improved  significantly
compared  to 1997,  due in part to a  reduction  in the  amount of cash used for
normal seasonal working capital  requirements and higher  depreciation.  Capital
spending of $37.7 million in the first six months of 1998 is below  depreciation
of $60.6 million.  Total 1998 capital  spending is expected to be  approximately
$95 million.

Total debt was $785.0  million at June 28, 1998  compared  to $773.1  million at
December 31, 1997.  Debt-to-total  capitalization ratio was 53.0 percent at both
June 28, 1998 and December 31, 1997.

In the U.S., the Company has committed revolving credit agreements totaling $320
million  consisting  of a  five-year  facility  for  $150  million  and  364-day
facilities for $170 million.  Simultaneous  with the Reynolds  transaction,  the
Company will refinance  certain  currently  outstanding debt at favorable rates.
The  Company  has a  Canadian  dollar  364-day  credit  facility  available  for
committed short-term funds of approximately $50 million at June 1998. At quarter
end,  approximately $14.3 million was outstanding  related to this program.  The
Company  also has  short-term  uncommitted  credit  facilities  in the  U.S.  of
approximately  $326  million,  and,  in  Asia,  FTB  Packaging,  including  M.C.
Packaging,  had short-term  uncommitted  credit facilities of approximately $251
million at the end of the 1998 second quarter. At June 28, 1998, the Company has
$162.5  million  and  $164.6  million   outstanding   under  these   facilities,
respectively.

The Company has a  receivable  sale  agreement  which  provides for the ongoing,
revolving  sale of up to $75.0  million of a designated  pool of trade  accounts
receivable of Ball's  domestic  packaging  businesses.  Net funds received under
this  agreement and a similar  agreement in the prior year totaled $65.9 million
and $66.5  million as of June 28,  1998 and June 29,  1997,  respectively.  Fees
related to this  agreement for the three and six month periods of 1998 were $1.0
million and $1.9  million,  respectively,  and $0.9 million and $1.8 million for
the  same  periods  in  1997.   These  fees  are  a  component  of  general  and
administrative expenses.


OTHER

Ball is subject to various  risks and  uncertainties  in the ordinary  course of
business due, in part, to the competitive  nature of the industries in which the
Company  participates,  its operations in developing  markets  outside the U.S.,
changing  commodity  prices  of the  materials  used in the  manufacture  of its
products,  and changing capital  markets.  Where  practicable,  Ball attempts to
reduce these risks and uncertainties.

The Company has  recognized  its share of  exchange  gains and losses  primarily
related to U.S. dollar  denominated debt held by its 40 percent equity affiliate
in Thailand.  The Company also has U.S. dollar denominated debt in China, and in
Brazil, through its 50 percent owned affiliate. In addition, Ball has other U.S.
dollar denominated assets and liabilities  outside the U.S. which are subject to
exchange rate fluctuations.

The Company was not in default of any loan  agreement at June 28, 1998,  and has
met all payment obligations.  M.C. Packaging was, however, in noncompliance with
certain  financial ratio provisions under a fixed term loan agreement,  of which
approximately  $34 million was outstanding at quarter end.  Effective  August 4,
1998,  the fixed term loan  agreement was amended.  The amendment  resulted in a
waiver of the previously reported covenant noncompliance issues.



<PAGE>


The U.S.  government  is disputing  the  company's  claim to  recoverability  of
reimbursed costs associated with Ball's Employee Stock Ownership Plan for fiscal
years 1989 through 1995, as well as the corresponding  prospective costs accrued
after 1995.  In October 1995,  the Company filed its complaint  before the Armed
Services Board of Contract  Appeals (ASBCA)  seeking final  adjudication of this
matter.  Trial before the ASBCA was conducted in January 1997. While the outcome
of the trial is not yet known,  the Company's  information at this time does not
indicate that this matter will have a material,  adverse  effect upon  financial
condition,  results of operations or  competitive  position of the Company.  For
additional  information  regarding  this matter,  refer to the Company's  latest
annual report.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial  statements,  and
reported  amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Future
events could affect these estimates.

As is commonly  known,  there is a potential  issue facing many companies  today
regarding the ability of information  systems to accommodate the year 2000. Ball
is evaluating  its  information  systems and believes that all critical  systems
can,  or will be able to,  accommodate  the  coming  century,  without  material
adverse  effect on the Company's  financial  condition,  results of  operations,
capital spending or competitive position.

From time to time, the Company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
Ball as a potentially  responsible  party,  along with numerous other companies,
for the  cleanup  of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the  Company's
information  at this time  does not  indicate  that  these  matters  will have a
material,  adverse  effect  upon  financial  condition,  results of  operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the Company.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The  Company  has made or implied  certain  forward-looking  statements  in this
report. These  forward-looking  statements represent the Company's goals and are
based on certain  assumptions  and estimates  regarding  the worldwide  economy,
specific industry  technological  innovations,  industry  competitive  activity,
interest rates,  capital  expenditures,  pricing,  currency  movements,  product
introductions,  and  the  development  of  certain  domestic  and  international
markets.  Some factors that could cause the Company's actual results or outcomes
to differ  materially  from those  discussed in the  forward-looking  statements
include,  but are not limited to, fluctuation in customer growth and demand; the
weather;  fuel costs and  availability;  regulatory  action;  federal  and state
legislation;   interest   rates;   labor   strikes;   maintenance   and  capital
expenditures;  local economic conditions; the authorization and control over the
availability  of government  contracts and the nature and  continuation of those
contracts  and  related  services  provided  thereunder;  the success or lack of
success of the satellite launches and business of EarthWatch; the devaluation of
international  currencies;  and the ability to obtain adequate credit  resources
for  foreseeable  financing  requirements  of  the  Company's  businesses;   the
inability  of the Company to achieve  year 2000  compliance;  the ability of the
Company to acquire other businesses.  If the Company's assumptions and estimates
are  incorrect,  or if it is unable to  achieve  its goals,  then the  Company's
actual  performance  could vary materially from those goals expressed or implied
in the forward-looking statements.



<PAGE>



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

There were no events required to be reported under Item 1 for the quarter ending
June 28, 1998.


Item 2.  Changes in securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 2 for the quarter ending
June 28, 1998.


Item 3.  Defaults upon senior securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 3 for the quarter ending
June 28, 1998.


Item 4.  Submission of matters to a vote of security holders

The Company held the Annual Meeting of Shareholders  on April 22, 1998.  Matters
voted upon by proxy were: the election of three  directors for three-year  terms
expiring   in   2001;   and,   the    ratification   of   the   appointment   of
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP as independent  accountants for 1998. The results of
the vote are as follows:

                        For       Against/Withheld   Abstained/Broker Non-Vote
                        ---       ----------------   -------------------------

Election of directors for terms
expiring in 2001:

Frank A. Bracken     28,879,070       362,639                   --

John F. Lehman       28,105,762     1,135,947                   --

George A. Sissel     28,857,490       384,219                   --


Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
   LLP as independent accountants
   for 1998
                     28,564,244       117,412                 96,453

Item 5.  Other information

Shareholders  should  be  advised  that  under  Rule  14a-4(c)(1)  that  where a
shareholder  has not sought  inclusion  of a  proposal  in the  Company's  Proxy
Statement, that if a shareholder fails to notify the Company at least forty-five
(45)  days  prior  to the  month  and day of  mailing  the  prior  year's  Proxy
Statement,   then  the  management   proxies  would  be  allowed  to  use  their
discretionary  voting  authority,  if such  proposal  is  raised  at the  Annual
Meeting,  without  any  discussion  of the  matter in the Proxy  Statement.  The
Company's  prior year Proxy  Statement was mailed on March 16, 1998.  Therefore,
any proposals must be received by the Company forty-five (45) days prior to that
date, or by January 30, 1999.

Item 6.  Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

          27.1  Financial Data Schedule
          99.1  Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation
                Reform Act of 1995, as amended.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         A Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 29, 1998,  reporting under Item
         5 an announcement by Ball Corporation and Reynolds Metals Company which
         stated  that the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  waiting  period  regarding  Ball's
         purchase of  Reynolds'  North  American  aluminum  beverage can and end
         assets expired on July 21, 1998.

         A Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 12, 1998,  reporting under Item
         5 an announcement by Ball Corporation and Reynolds Metals Company which
         stated  that the  previously  announced  agreements  by which Ball will
         purchase  substantially  all of Reynolds'  global beverage can business
         will not include  Reynolds' 34.9 percent  interest in Latas de Aluminio
         S.A, a South American beverage can manufacturer.



<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Ball Corporation
(Registrant)


By:   /s/  R. David Hoover
      ----------------------
      R. David Hoover
      Vice Chairman
         and Chief Financial Officer


Date: August 12, 1998


<PAGE>




                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                                  June 28, 1998


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

           Description                                   Exhibit
           -----------                                   -------



Financial Data Schedule (Filed herewith.)                EX-27.1

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
  Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. 
  (Filed herewith.)
                                                         EX-99.1



<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1

                                BALL CORPORATION
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE


THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
UNAUDITED  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 28, 1998 AND THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE
28,  1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1998
<CASH>                                          68,400
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  339,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    390,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               854,800
<PP&E>                                       1,546,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                 680,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,113,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          856,600
<BONDS>                                        354,600
                                0
                                     25,800
<COMMON>                                       352,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     277,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,113,500
<SALES>                                      1,195,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,195,300
<CGS>                                        1,060,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,060,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.72
        


<PAGE>

</TABLE>

Exhibit 99.1

               Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
                          Litigation Reform Act of 1995


In  connection  with  the  safe  harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act), Ball is hereby filing cautionary
statements  identifying important factors that could cause Ball's actual results
to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements of Ball.
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations contains forward-looking statements, and many of these statements are
contained in Part I, Item 2, "Business.". The Reform Act defines forward-looking
statements  as  statements  that express or imply an  expectation  or belief and
contain a  projection,  plan or  assumption  with regard to, among other things,
future  revenues,   income,  earnings  per  share  or  capital  structure.  Such
statements of future events or performance involve estimates,  assumptions,  and
uncertainties  and are  qualified  in their  entirety by  reference  to, and are
accompanied by, the following  important  factors that could cause Ball's actual
results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking  statements
made by or on behalf of Ball.

Some  important  factors that could cause Ball's  actual  results or outcomes to
differ  materially  from  those  discussed  in  the  forward-looking  statements
include,  but are not limited  to,  fluctuation  in customer  growth and demand,
weather,  fuel costs and  availability,  regulatory  action,  Federal  and State
legislation, interest rates, labor strikes, maintenance and capital expenditures
and local economic conditions.  In addition, Ball's ability to have available an
appropriate  amount of production  capacity in a timely manner can significantly
impact Ball's financial performance. The timing of deregulation and competition,
product  development and introductions and technology changes are also important
potential factors. Other important factors include the following:

Difficulties in obtaining raw materials,  supplies,  power and natural resources
needed  for  the  production  of  metal  and  plastic   containers  as  well  as
telecommunications  and aerospace  products  could affect Ball's ability to ship
containers and telecommunications and aerospace products.

The pricing of raw materials,  supplies,  power and natural resources needed for
the production of metal and plastic containers as well as telecommunications and
aerospace  products,  pricing  and  ability  to sell scrap  associated  with the
production  of  metal  containers  and the  effect  of  changes  in the  cost of
warehousing  the  Company's   products  could  adversely  affect  the  Company's
financial performance.

Technological or market  acceptance issues regarding the business of EarthWatch,
performance failures and related contracts or subcontracts,  the success or lack
of success of the satellite launches and business of EarthWatch,  the failure of
EarthWatch to receive additional  financing needed for EarthWatch to continue to
make  payments,  or any  events  which  would  require  the  Company  to provide
additional financial support for EarthWatch Incorporated.

The inability to achieve technological advances in the Company's businesses. The
inability of the Company to achieve year 2000 compliance.

Cancellation  or  termination of government  contracts for the U.S.  Government,
other customers or other government contractors.



<PAGE>


The  effects  of,  and  changes  in,  laws,  regulations,  other  activities  of
governments   (including  political  situations  and  inflationary   economies),
agencies  and  similar  organizations,  including,  but not  limited  to,  those
effecting frequency,  use and availability of metal and plastic containers,  the
authorization and control over the availability of government  contracts and the
nature and  continuation  of those contracts and the related  services  provided
thereunder,  the  use of  remote  sensing  data  and  changes  in  domestic  and
international  tax  laws  could  negatively   impact  the  Company's   financial
performance.

The  effects of changes in the  Company's  organization  or in the  compensation
and/or benefit plans; any changes in agreements  regarding  investments or joint
ventures in which the Company has an  investment;  the ability of the Company to
acquire other businesses;  the amount,  type or cost of the Company's  financing
and  changes  to  that  financing,   could  adversely  impact  Ball's  financial
performance.

Risks  involved in  purchasing  and selling  products and services and receiving
payments  in  currencies  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.   The  devaluation  of
international currencies and the ability to obtain adequate credit resources for
foreseeable financing requirements of the Company's businesses.

<PAGE>


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