GPC vs. PKG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GPC and PKG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Genuine Parts Company | Packaging Corporation of America |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Distributors | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 17.69 billion USD | 17.64 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | January 28, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GPC 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.68% | -1.74% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.65% | 1.96% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.00% | 4.47% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.89% | -17.25% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.04% | 0.75% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.99% | -12.40% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 0.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.20M | 0.74M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.42% | 24.71% |
| Beta | 0.75 | 0.92 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GPC
17.69%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 35.43%
- Q3
- 28.24%
- Median
- 14.44%
- Q1
- 11.19%
- Min
- 11.04%
GPC’s Return on Equity of 17.69% is on par with the norm for the Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
PKG
19.54%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 33.32%
- Q3
- 19.47%
- Median
- 12.36%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -12.20%
In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Return on Equity of 19.54% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GPC
3.36%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.68%
- Q3
- 5.68%
- Median
- 5.33%
- Q1
- 4.85%
- Min
- 4.81%
GPC’s Net Profit Margin of 3.36% 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.
PKG
10.18%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 8.67%
- Median
- 5.36%
- Q1
- 3.40%
- Min
- -2.25%
A Net Profit Margin of 10.18% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GPC
4.94%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.19%
- Q3
- 7.61%
- Median
- 5.57%
- Q1
- 5.27%
- Min
- 4.94%
GPC’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.94% is in the lower quartile for the Distributors industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
PKG
14.14%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 6.39%
- Min
- -0.41%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.14% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.69% | 19.54% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.03% | 9.45% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.36% | 10.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.94% | 14.14% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.03% | 21.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
1.14
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 1.50
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 1.09
GPC’s Current Ratio of 1.14 falls into the lower quartile for the Distributors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
PKG
3.16
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.87
PKG’s Current Ratio of 3.16 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
0.99
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.19
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.46
GPC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Distributors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
PKG
0.84
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 3.86
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.23
PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.84 is typical for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
PKG
26.71
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 3.16 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.50 | 1.93 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 0.84 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.15 | 26.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GPC
3.19%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 50.93%
- Q3
- 39.24%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- 3.39%
- Min
- 2.04%
GPC’s Dividend Yield of 3.19% 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.
PKG
2.53%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.42%
- Q3
- 5.04%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GPC
69.77%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 903.92%
- Q3
- 695.38%
- Median
- 57.27%
- Q1
- 44.70%
- Min
- 26.53%
GPC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.77% is within the typical range for the Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PKG
50.31%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 63.96%
- Q1
- 27.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
PKG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 50.31% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.19% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 69.77% | 50.31% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GPC
21.86
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 21.90
- Q3
- 20.83
- Median
- 17.75
- Q1
- 12.85
- Min
- 6.38
A P/E Ratio of 21.86 places GPC in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
PKG
19.86
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 19.86
- Q3
- 18.86
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.58
- Min
- 6.36
A P/E Ratio of 19.86 places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GPC
0.73
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.01
- Q3
- 1.01
- Median
- 0.87
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.31
GPC’s P/S Ratio of 0.73 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.
PKG
2.02
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
PKG’s P/S Ratio of 2.02 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
4.03
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 2.75
- Min
- 1.20
GPC’s P/B Ratio of 4.03 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.
PKG
4.12
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.37
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.76
PKG’s P/B Ratio of 4.12 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GPC | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.86 | 19.86 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.73 | 2.02 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.03 | 4.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 55.06 | 24.54 |