IP vs. PKG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IP and PKG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Paper Company | Packaging Corporation of America |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 26.08 billion USD | 19.10 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | January 28, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IP 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 | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.37% | 7.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.56% | 10.23% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.58% | -0.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.98% | 5.17% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.67% | 9.54% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -8.23% | -5.73% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.85M | 0.86M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.34M | 0.77M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.71% | 25.82% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.95 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -0.20% | 20.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.08% | 10.16% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.12% | 10.47% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.07% | 14.39% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.30% | 22.13% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 3.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 2.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.53 | 0.54 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.71 | 26.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.25% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 180.00% | 49.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 19.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.14 | 2.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 3.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 49.64 | 28.54 |