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

Updated on October 7, 2025

Here’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	19.44 billion USD	19.16 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GPC	PKG
5-Day Price Return	0.37%	-2.29%
13-Week Price Return	9.67%	5.79%
26-Week Price Return	17.28%	6.50%
52-Week Price Return	0.69%	0.45%
Month-to-Date Return	0.82%	-2.29%
Year-to-Date Return	19.67%	-5.42%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.05M	0.54M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.18M	0.72M
3-Month Volatility	23.60%	22.34%
Beta	0.77	0.94

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GPC

17.79%

Distributors Industry

Max: 35.43%
Q3: 27.95%
Median: 14.57%
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.

PKG

20.33%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 36.99%
Q3: 19.86%
Median: 10.47%
Q1: 6.76%
Min: -0.20%

In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GPC

3.40%

Distributors Industry

Max: 5.68%
Q3: 5.68%
Median: 5.36%
Q1: 4.87%
Min: 4.81%

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.

PKG

10.47%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 10.84%
Q3: 8.25%
Median: 4.91%
Q1: 3.65%
Min: -0.12%

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GPC

4.95%

Distributors Industry

Max: 11.13%
Q3: 7.77%
Median: 5.57%
Q1: 5.27%
Min: 4.95%

GPC’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.95% 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

14.39%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 22.03%
Q3: 13.09%
Median: 8.06%
Q1: 6.46%
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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GPC	PKG
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.79%	20.33%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.06%	10.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.40%	10.47%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.95%	14.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	36.88%	22.13%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GPC

1.14

Distributors Industry

Max: 1.81
Q3: 1.66
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

3.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 1.96
Q3: 1.45
Median: 1.33
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.87

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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GPC

1.02

Distributors Industry

Max: 1.19
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.81
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.

PKG

0.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.15
Q3: 2.03
Median: 1.20
Q1: 0.53
Min: 0.23

PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 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.

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

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GPC	PKG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.14	3.54
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.49	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.02	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	13.15	26.71

Growth

Revenue Growth

GPC 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

GPC 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)

GPC

2.87%

Distributors Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 4.28%
Q1: 3.20%
Min: 1.61%

GPC’s Dividend Yield of 2.87% 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

2.34%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 7.14%
Q3: 4.65%
Median: 3.69%
Q1: 2.00%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.34% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GPC

69.26%

Distributors Industry

Max: 903.92%
Q3: 695.25%
Median: 56.97%
Q1: 44.33%
Min: 26.53%

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.

PKG

49.67%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 222.75%
Q3: 132.16%
Median: 65.79%
Q1: 28.53%
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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GPC	PKG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.87%	2.34%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	69.26%	49.67%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GPC

24.12

Distributors Industry

Max: 27.78
Q3: 22.45
Median: 18.78
Q1: 12.95
Min: 5.82

A P/E Ratio of 24.12 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

21.26

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 24.22
Q3: 20.28
Median: 17.07
Q1: 15.06
Min: 7.79

A P/E Ratio of 21.26 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GPC

0.82

Distributors Industry

Max: 1.07
Q3: 1.07
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.28

GPC’s P/S Ratio of 0.82 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

2.23

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 1.99
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.31

With a P/S Ratio of 2.23, PKG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Containers & Packaging industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GPC

3.58

Distributors Industry

Max: 3.58
Q3: 3.46
Median: 3.12
Q1: 2.75
Min: 2.63

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.

PKG

3.66

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.79
Q3: 3.32
Median: 2.14
Q1: 1.60
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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GPC	PKG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	24.12	21.26
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.82	2.23
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.58	3.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	44.44	30.85