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 | 19.43 billion USD | 17.75 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 | -4.70% | -3.41% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -21.70% | -19.68% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -27.09% | -25.42% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -35.55% | -32.75% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.05% | -7.12% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -31.83% | -36.33% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.14M | 5.67M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.59M | 4.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.99% | 38.68% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IP
-8.23%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 33.32%
- Q3
- 19.47%
- Median
- 12.36%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -12.20%
IP has a negative Return on Equity of -8.23%. 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
5.12%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 33.32%
- Q3
- 19.47%
- Median
- 12.36%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -12.20%
SW’s Return on Equity of 5.12% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
IP
-0.12%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 8.67%
- Median
- 5.36%
- Q1
- 3.40%
- Min
- -2.25%
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
2.06%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 8.67%
- Median
- 5.36%
- Q1
- 3.40%
- Min
- -2.25%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s Net Profit Margin of 2.06% 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
-0.41%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 6.39%
- Min
- -0.41%
IP has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.41%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
SW
5.23%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 6.39%
- Min
- -0.41%
SW’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.23% 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) | -8.23% | 5.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -3.48% | 2.05% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.12% | 2.06% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.41% | 5.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.30% | 19.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IP
1.31
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.87
IP’s Current Ratio of 1.31 aligns with the median group of the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
SW
1.48
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.87
SW’s Current Ratio of 1.48 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
0.58
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 3.86
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.23
Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, IP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
SW
0.77
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 3.86
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.23
SW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 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
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- 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
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- 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) | 1.31 | 1.48 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 0.97 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.58 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.71 | 2.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IP
4.56%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.42%
- Q3
- 5.04%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
IP’s Dividend Yield of 4.56% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SW
4.71%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.42%
- Q3
- 5.04%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Yield of 4.71% 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
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 63.96%
- Q1
- 27.01%
- 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
63.96%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 63.96%
- Q1
- 27.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.96% 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) | 4.56% | 4.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 180.00% | 63.96% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IP
--
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 19.86
- Q3
- 18.86
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.58
- Min
- 6.36
P/E Ratio data for IP is currently unavailable.
SW
19.17
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 19.86
- Q3
- 18.86
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.58
- Min
- 6.36
A P/E Ratio of 19.17 places SW 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)
IP
0.89
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
IP’s P/S Ratio of 0.89 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
0.39
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s P/S Ratio of 0.39 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
1.41
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.37
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.76
IP’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 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
1.21
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.37
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.76
SW’s P/B Ratio of 1.21 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) | -- | 19.17 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.89 | 0.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 1.21 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 57.13 | 16.95 |