PAG vs. PKG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 13, 2025

Here’s a clear look at PAG and PKG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	PAG	PKG
Company Name	Penske Automotive Group, Inc.	Packaging Corporation of America
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Materials
GICS Industry	Specialty Retail	Containers & Packaging
Market Capitalization	11.12 billion USD	19.19 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 23, 1996	January 28, 2000
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PAG 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.

PAG vs. PKG: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	PKG
5-Day Price Return	-3.68%	-1.09%
13-Week Price Return	-7.26%	4.51%
26-Week Price Return	19.32%	12.75%
52-Week Price Return	8.29%	-0.03%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.17%	-2.13%
Year-to-Date Return	10.46%	-5.26%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.24M	0.54M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.24M	0.71M
3-Month Volatility	26.96%	22.53%
Beta	0.95	0.94

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

PAG

17.87%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 64.63%
Q3: 37.13%
Median: 19.07%
Q1: 10.79%
Min: -16.66%

PAG’s Return on Equity of 17.87% is on par with the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

PKG

20.33%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 36.99%
Q3: 19.86%
Median: 10.47%
Q1: 6.76%
Min: -0.20%

In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

PAG

3.13%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 21.04%
Q3: 10.99%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.46%
Min: -4.37%

PAG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.13% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

PKG

10.47%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 10.84%
Q3: 8.25%
Median: 4.91%
Q1: 3.65%
Min: -0.12%

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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

PAG

4.47%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 33.35%
Q3: 16.40%
Median: 9.28%
Q1: 4.05%
Min: -10.63%

PAG’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.47% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

PKG

14.39%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 22.03%
Q3: 13.09%
Median: 8.06%
Q1: 6.46%
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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	PKG
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.87%	20.33%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.62%	10.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.13%	10.47%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.47%	14.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	16.58%	22.13%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

PAG

0.90

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.72
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.52

PAG’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

PKG

3.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 1.96
Q3: 1.45
Median: 1.33
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.87

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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

PAG

1.07

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.60
Q1: 0.22
Min: 0.00

PAG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07 is typical for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

PKG

0.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.15
Q3: 2.03
Median: 1.20
Q1: 0.53
Min: 0.23

PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

PAG

17.12

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.12
Q3: 39.12
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.63
Min: -36.00

PAG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PKG

26.71

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 13.16
Q3: 8.10
Median: 3.38
Q1: 2.83
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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	PKG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.90	3.54
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.21	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.12	26.71

Growth

Revenue Growth

PAG vs. PKG: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

PAG vs. PKG: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

PAG

2.82%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.48%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.04%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PAG’s Dividend Yield of 2.82% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PKG

2.37%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 7.14%
Q3: 4.65%
Median: 3.69%
Q1: 2.00%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.37% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

PAG

33.11%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 192.64%
Q3: 79.43%
Median: 26.55%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PAG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.11% is within the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

PKG

49.67%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 222.75%
Q3: 132.16%
Median: 65.79%
Q1: 28.53%
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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	PKG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.82%	2.37%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	33.11%	49.67%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

PAG

11.76

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 47.04
Q3: 27.74
Median: 23.51
Q1: 13.77
Min: 7.47

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, PAG’s P/E Ratio of 11.76 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

PKG

20.95

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 24.22
Q3: 20.28
Median: 17.07
Q1: 15.06
Min: 7.79

A P/E Ratio of 20.95 places PKG 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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

PAG

0.37

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.77
Q3: 2.79
Median: 1.21
Q1: 0.53
Min: 0.09

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, PAG’s P/S Ratio of 0.37 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.

PKG

2.19

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 1.99
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.31

With a P/S Ratio of 2.19, PKG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Containers & Packaging industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

PAG

2.03

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 16.93
Q3: 7.92
Median: 3.98
Q1: 1.86
Min: 0.55

PAG’s P/B Ratio of 2.03 is within the conventional range for the Specialty Retail industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PKG

3.66

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.79
Q3: 3.32
Median: 2.14
Q1: 1.60
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.

PAG vs. PKG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialty Retail and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	PKG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.76	20.95
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.37	2.19
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.03	3.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.39	30.40