GM vs. PKG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at GM and PKG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	GM	PKG
Company Name	General Motors Company	Packaging Corporation of America
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Materials
GICS Industry	Automobiles	Containers & Packaging
Market Capitalization	55.49 billion USD	19.10 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 18, 2010	January 28, 2000
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GM and PKG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

GM vs. PKG: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GM	PKG
5-Day Price Return	2.14%	7.05%
13-Week Price Return	18.26%	10.23%
26-Week Price Return	21.92%	-0.04%
52-Week Price Return	25.44%	5.17%
Month-to-Date Return	9.26%	9.54%
Year-to-Date Return	9.40%	-5.73%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.43M	0.86M
3-Month Avg. Volume	9.58M	0.77M
3-Month Volatility	34.28%	25.82%
Beta	1.36	0.95

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GM

7.21%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

GM’s Return on Equity of 7.21% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

PKG

20.33%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 41.66%
Q3: 20.76%
Median: 14.35%
Q1: 6.55%
Min: 3.64%

PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% is on par with the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

2.54%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

GM’s Net Profit Margin of 2.54% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

PKG

10.47%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 11.61%
Q3: 8.17%
Median: 4.91%
Q1: 4.20%
Min: 0.08%

A Net Profit Margin of 10.47% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

3.42%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

GM’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.42% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

PKG

14.39%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 22.03%
Q3: 13.17%
Median: 8.87%
Q1: 6.86%
Min: 0.07%

An Operating Profit Margin of 14.39% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GM	PKG
Return on Equity (TTM)	7.21%	20.33%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.67%	10.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.54%	10.47%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	3.42%	14.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	10.97%	22.13%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GM

1.22

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

GM’s Current Ratio of 1.22 aligns with the median group of the Automobiles industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

PKG

3.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.13
Q3: 1.57
Median: 1.27
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.58

PKG’s Current Ratio of 3.54 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GM

2.05

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

GM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Automobiles industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.05. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

PKG

0.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.50
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.23

Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GM

25.00

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
Min: -49.07

GM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.00 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PKG

26.71

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 13.16
Q3: 8.10
Median: 3.61
Q1: 2.94
Min: 1.06

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 26.71, PKG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GM	PKG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.22	3.54
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.05	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.05	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	25.00	26.71

Growth

Revenue Growth

GM vs. PKG: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

GM vs. PKG: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

GM

1.17%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Yield of 1.17% is consistent with its peers in the Automobiles industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PKG

2.53%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 7.37%
Q3: 4.07%
Median: 3.33%
Q1: 1.72%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GM

6.61%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.61% is in the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

PKG

49.67%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 221.20%
Q3: 119.52%
Median: 58.05%
Q1: 28.91%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.67% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GM	PKG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.17%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	6.61%	49.67%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GM

11.38

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

GM’s P/E Ratio of 11.38 is within the middle range for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

PKG

19.67

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 35.98
Q3: 27.87
Median: 16.15
Q1: 14.38
Min: 8.20

PKG’s P/E Ratio of 19.67 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GM

0.29

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

GM’s P/S Ratio of 0.29 aligns with the market consensus for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

PKG

2.06

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.91
Q3: 1.67
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.30

PKG’s P/S Ratio of 2.06 is in the upper echelon for the Containers & Packaging industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GM

0.71

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

GM’s P/B Ratio of 0.71 is within the conventional range for the Automobiles industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PKG

3.66

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 5.28
Q3: 3.30
Median: 2.35
Q1: 1.57
Min: 0.89

PKG’s P/B Ratio of 3.66 is in the upper tier for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

GM vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GM	PKG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.38	19.67
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.29	2.06
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	3.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.18	28.54