IP vs. SW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IP and SW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Paper Company | Smurfit Westrock Plc |
| Country | United States | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 25.68 billion USD | 23.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 17, 2008 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IP and SW 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 | SW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.25% | 3.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.52% | 0.27% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.74% | -17.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.28% | 16.14% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.07% | 1.67% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.62% | -16.23% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.04M | 3.95M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.54M | 3.66M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 39.95% | 33.88% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 1.09 |
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.
SW
2.94%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
A Return on Equity of 2.94% places SW below the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests challenges in efficiently using shareholder capital to generate profit, which could point to operational issues or a conservative capital structure.
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.
SW
1.18%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s Net Profit Margin of 1.18% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
SW
4.20%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
SW’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.20% 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 | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -0.20% | 2.94% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.08% | 1.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.12% | 1.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.07% | 4.20% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.30% | 19.46% |
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.
SW
1.45
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
SW’s Current Ratio of 1.45 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.
SW
0.79
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.50
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.23
SW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.79 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.
SW
2.41
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, SW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.41 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.45 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 0.95 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.53 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.71 | 2.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IP
3.18%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Yield of 3.18% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SW
3.26%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Yield of 3.26% 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.
SW
85.87%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 85.87% 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 | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.18% | 3.26% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 180.00% | 85.87% |
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.
SW
44.73
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
At 44.73, SW’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IP
1.16
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
IP’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 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.
SW
0.53
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s P/S Ratio of 0.53 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
SW
1.23
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
SW’s P/B Ratio of 1.23 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 | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 44.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.16 | 0.53 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 1.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 50.68 | 45.25 |