IP vs. SON: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IP and SON, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Paper Company | Sonoco Products Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 26.23 billion USD | 4.66 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IP and SON 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 | SON |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.59% | 0.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.61% | 3.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -10.16% | 0.43% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.45% | -12.98% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.29% | 4.84% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -7.69% | -3.28% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.65M | 0.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.37M | 0.87M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.44% | 23.81% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.70 |
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.
SON
21.31%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SON’s Return on Equity of 21.31% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
SON
8.35%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.35% places SON 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.
SON
5.65%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
SON’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.65% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -0.20% | 21.31% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.08% | 4.81% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.12% | 8.35% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.07% | 5.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.30% | 18.09% |
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.
SON
1.25
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
SON’s Current Ratio of 1.25 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)
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.
SON
1.68
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.50
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.23
SON’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.68 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)
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.
SON
1.44
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, SON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.44 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.25 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 0.66 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.53 | 1.68 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.71 | 1.44 |
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.
SON
4.54%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.54%, SON offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
SON
25.83%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
SON’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 25.83% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.25% | 4.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 180.00% | 25.83% |
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.
SON
8.16
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
SON’s P/E Ratio of 8.16 is below the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
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.
SON
0.68
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
SON’s P/S Ratio of 0.68 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)
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.
SON
1.33
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
SON’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 | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 8.16 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.14 | 0.68 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.33 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 49.64 | 10.23 |