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

Updated on August 29, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	PAG	SW
Company Name	Penske Automotive Group, Inc.	Smurfit Westrock Plc
Country	United States	Ireland
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Materials
GICS Industry	Specialty Retail	Containers & Packaging
Market Capitalization	12.44 billion USD	23.84 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 23, 1996	June 17, 2008
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PAG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	SW
5-Day Price Return	4.05%	4.51%
13-Week Price Return	14.70%	2.86%
26-Week Price Return	15.12%	-14.11%
52-Week Price Return	11.58%	-1.13%
Month-to-Date Return	12.49%	2.88%
Year-to-Date Return	23.54%	-15.22%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.20M	4.68M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.24M	3.67M
3-Month Volatility	29.16%	33.32%
Beta	0.91	1.10

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

PAG

17.87%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 61.19%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 18.81%
Q1: 8.92%
Min: -13.03%

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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 21.28%
Q3: 10.68%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.43%
Min: -4.54%

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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 15.84%
Median: 9.34%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: -8.97%

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.

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	SW
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.87%	2.94%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.62%	1.17%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.13%	1.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.47%	4.20%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	16.58%	19.46%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

PAG

0.90

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.83
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.39
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.64

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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 3.02
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.64
Q1: 0.20
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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 35.95
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.61
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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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	SW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.90	1.45
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.21	0.95
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.79
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.12	2.41

Growth

Revenue Growth

PAG vs. SW: 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. SW: 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

2.62%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.53%
Q3: 2.69%
Median: 1.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PAG’s Dividend Yield of 2.62% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 165.81%
Q3: 80.94%
Median: 31.61%
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.

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PAG	SW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.62%	3.50%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	33.11%	85.87%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

PAG

12.63

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.56
Q3: 29.15
Median: 22.00
Q1: 15.46
Min: 7.95

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, PAG’s P/E Ratio of 12.63 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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

0.40

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.08
Q3: 2.69
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.09

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, PAG’s P/S Ratio of 0.40 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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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: 7.98
Median: 3.69
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.21

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.

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.

PAG vs. SW: 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	SW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	12.63	41.59
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.40	0.49
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.03	1.23
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.68	42.07