LI vs. SW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at LI and SW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
LI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, SW is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Li Auto Inc. | Smurfit Westrock Plc |
| Country | China | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Automobiles | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 23.93 billion USD | 23.98 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 30, 2020 | June 17, 2008 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of LI 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 | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.02% | 6.39% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -14.06% | 3.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.11% | -16.97% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 142.14% | 4.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -9.01% | 3.49% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.53% | -14.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 20.06M | 4.64M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.68M | 3.65M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 47.84% | 33.34% |
| Beta | 1.35 | 1.10 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
LI
11.89%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 25.70%
- Q3
- 12.88%
- Median
- 6.92%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- -15.89%
LI’s Return on Equity of 11.89% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
LI
5.59%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 9.92%
- Q3
- 5.78%
- Median
- 3.23%
- Q1
- 0.11%
- Min
- -5.31%
LI’s Net Profit Margin of 5.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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)
LI
5.44%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 13.07%
- Q3
- 7.22%
- Median
- 5.29%
- Q1
- 0.43%
- Min
- -4.46%
LI’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.44% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
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 | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.89% | 2.94% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.18% | 1.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.59% | 1.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.44% | 4.20% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.51% | 19.46% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
LI
1.87
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.48
LI’s Current Ratio of 1.87 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its 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)
LI
0.13
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.34
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.06
Falling into the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry, LI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 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)
LI
-16.94
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 77.87
- Q3
- 42.86
- Median
- 13.88
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- -49.07
LI has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -16.94. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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 | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.87 | 1.45 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.64 | 0.95 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.13 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -16.94 | 2.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
LI
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 10.71%
- Q3
- 5.39%
- Median
- 3.14%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LI currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
SW
3.50%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Yield of 3.50% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
LI
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 114.43%
- Q3
- 59.30%
- Median
- 37.15%
- Q1
- 16.40%
- Min
- 0.00%
LI has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
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 | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.50% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 85.87% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
LI
21.28
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 27.69
- Q3
- 19.99
- Median
- 9.85
- Q1
- 6.60
- Min
- 4.25
A P/E Ratio of 21.28 places LI in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
SW
41.59
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
At 41.59, 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)
LI
1.19
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 1.52
- Q3
- 0.84
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.08
LI’s P/S Ratio of 1.19 is in the upper echelon for the Automobiles 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.
SW
0.49
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 0.49 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)
LI
2.71
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 4.25
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 0.87
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
LI’s P/B Ratio of 2.71 is in the upper tier for the Automobiles 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.
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 | LI | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.28 | 41.59 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.19 | 0.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.71 | 1.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 8.74 | 42.07 |