GPC vs. IP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GPC and IP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Genuine Parts Company | International Paper Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Distributors | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 19.05 billion USD | 24.82 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GPC and IP 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.57% | -1.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.12% | -6.89% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 9.87% | -15.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.22% | -1.30% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.29% | 0.58% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 17.33% | -12.65% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.91M | 3.60M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 4.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.84% | 35.68% |
| Beta | 0.78 | 1.12 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GPC
17.79%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.85%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 13.11%
- Q1
- 11.23%
- Min
- 11.19%
GPC’s Return on Equity of 17.79% is on par with the norm for the Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
IP
-0.20%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
IP has a negative Return on Equity of -0.20%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GPC
3.40%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.04%
- Q3
- 4.92%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- 4.55%
- Min
- 4.54%
GPC’s Net Profit Margin of 3.40% is below the typical range for the Distributors industry. This suggests the company may be facing challenges with cost control or operating in a highly competitive environment that limits its pricing power.
IP
-0.12%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
IP has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.12%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GPC
4.95%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 7.80%
- Median
- 5.53%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- 3.17%
GPC’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.95% is around the midpoint for the Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
IP
-0.07%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
IP has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.07%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.79% | -0.20% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.06% | -0.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.40% | -0.12% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.95% | -0.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.88% | 28.30% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
1.14
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 1.15
GPC’s Current Ratio of 1.14 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Distributors industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.
IP
1.33
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
IP’s Current Ratio of 1.33 aligns with the median group of the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
1.02
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.98
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.52
- Min
- 0.46
GPC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Distributors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.02. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
IP
0.53
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, IP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.53 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
GPC
13.15
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 13.15
- Q3
- 10.84
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 4.01
- Min
- 3.80
GPC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.15 is in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
IP
1.71
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.94
- Min
- 1.06
In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, IP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.71 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 1.33 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.49 | 0.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 0.53 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.15 | 1.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GPC
2.93%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 44.83%
- Q3
- 35.02%
- Median
- 4.81%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- 1.54%
GPC’s Dividend Yield of 2.93% is in the lower quartile for the Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
IP
3.25%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Yield of 3.25% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GPC
69.26%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1,122.47%
- Q3
- 858.23%
- Median
- 55.08%
- Q1
- 44.32%
- Min
- 34.92%
GPC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.26% is within the typical range for the Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
IP
180.00%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 180.00% is in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.93% | 3.25% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 69.26% | 180.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GPC
23.67
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 28.99
- Q3
- 25.04
- Median
- 23.42
- Q1
- 13.71
- Min
- 6.24
GPC’s P/E Ratio of 23.67 is within the middle range for the Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
IP
--
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
P/E Ratio data for IP is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GPC
0.81
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.28
GPC’s P/S Ratio of 0.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
IP
1.14
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
IP’s P/S Ratio of 1.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
3.58
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 3.57
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 1.47
GPC’s P/B Ratio of 3.58 is in the upper tier for the Distributors 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.
IP
1.33
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
IP’s P/B Ratio of 1.33 is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | IP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.67 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.81 | 1.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.58 | 1.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 43.61 | 49.64 |