Abstract: Carrier stock is disclosed, which has band segments defining container-receiving apertures and defining integral handles, along with tear-open tabs arranged in four-tab clusters. Each cluster includes two tabs proximate to each other and connected by a single, frangible bridge, respectively on opposite sides of the transverse midline of a generally transverse band segment. Each cluster includes two tabs proximate to each other and connected by a single, frangible bridge, respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal midline of a generally longitudinal band segment. Each tab extends from one of the band segments, outwardly from one of the container-receiving apertures. Each tab and the band segment with such tab are slitted to define a series of frangible bridges between an additional aperture bounded partly by such tab and a container-receiving aperture. A package comprising containers and a carrier severed from such stock is disclosed.