PKG vs. SW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PKG and SW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Packaging Corporation of America | Smurfit Westrock Plc |
| Country | United States | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 17.83 billion USD | 21.90 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 28, 2000 | June 17, 2008 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PKG 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 | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.81% | -4.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.89% | -9.57% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.61% | -23.24% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 0.56% | -3.54% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.26% | -5.48% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -12.00% | -22.11% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.54M | 4.11M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.74M | 3.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.98% | 31.62% |
| Beta | 0.94 | 1.10 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PKG
20.33%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% is on par with the norm for the Containers & Packaging 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)
PKG
10.47%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
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.
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)
PKG
14.39%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- 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.
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 | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 20.33% | 2.94% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.16% | 1.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.47% | 1.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.39% | 4.20% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.13% | 19.46% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PKG
3.54
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
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.
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)
PKG
0.54
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, PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 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)
PKG
26.71
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.94
- 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.
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 | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.54 | 1.45 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.21 | 0.95 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 26.71 | 2.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PKG
2.53%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PKG
49.67%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- 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.
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 | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.53% | 3.50% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 49.67% | 85.87% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PKG
19.67
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
PKG’s P/E Ratio of 19.67 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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)
PKG
2.06
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
PKG’s P/S Ratio of 2.06 is in the upper echelon for the Containers & Packaging 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)
PKG
3.66
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- 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.
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 | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.67 | 41.59 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.06 | 0.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.66 | 1.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.54 | 42.07 |