PKG vs. VALE: Packaging Corp of America vs. Vale Stock Comparison
How do Packaging Corp of America (PKG) and Vale (VALE) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) and Vale (VALE) both fall under the Materials industry group, but PKG is classified in Containers & Packaging while VALE is classified in Metals & Mining.
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) trades as ordinary local shares, while Vale (VALE) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Packaging Corporation of America | Vale S.A. American Depositary Shares |
| Country/Region | United States | Brazil |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry Group | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Metals & Mining |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials | Steel |
| Market Capitalization | 22.25 billion USD | 49.32 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 28, 2000 | March 21, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 31.07% | 6.20% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 21.13% | 3.12% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 17.23% | 8.31% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Vale (VALE) is heavily traded at around 32.62M shares per day, whereas Packaging Corp of America (PKG) sees a more moderate 624.28K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 28.35% | 33.88% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.76 | 0.48 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -31.78% | -49.81% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 624.28K | 32.62M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.95 | 0.06 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.49 | 0.08 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Vale (VALE) earns 0.26% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Packaging Corp of America (PKG) has no ROE this period.
PKG
Materials industry group
--
- Max
- 52.88%
- Q3
- 19.49%
- Median
- 8.76%
- Q1
- -3.41%
- Min
- -32.81%
- PKG
- --
VALE
Materials industry group
0.26%
- Max
- 52.88%
- Q3
- 19.49%
- Median
- 8.76%
- VALE
- 0.26%
- Q1
- -3.41%
- Min
- -32.81%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 7.40% and Vale (VALE) at 1.01% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
PKG
Materials industry group
7.40%
- Max
- 38.66%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- PKG
- 7.40%
- Median
- 5.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -20.40%
VALE
Materials industry group
1.01%
- Max
- 38.66%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- Median
- 5.28%
- VALE
- 1.01%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -20.40%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 14.97% and Vale (VALE) at 19.31% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
PKG
Materials industry group
14.97%
- Max
- 66.70%
- Q3
- 28.92%
- PKG
- 14.97%
- Median
- 12.56%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -14.07%
VALE
Materials industry group
19.31%
- Max
- 66.70%
- Q3
- 28.92%
- VALE
- 19.31%
- Median
- 12.56%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -14.07%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | -- | 0.26% |
| ROA (TTM) | -- | 6.97% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 7.40% | 1.01% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 14.97% | 19.31% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 21.24% | 32.06% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 7.23% and Vale (VALE) at 0.91% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at -3.92% and Vale (VALE) at -61.81% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 7.23% | 0.91% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 1.97% | -4.32% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -3.92% | -61.81% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -8.03% | -48.60% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: Vale (VALE) shows current ratio of 1.10 against its industry benchmark, while Packaging Corp of America (PKG) has no reading this period.
PKG
Materials industry group
--
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.16
- PKG
- --
VALE
Materials industry group
1.10
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.45
- VALE
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.16
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Vale (VALE) at 0.55 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 0.94 uses more debt funding than most peers.
PKG
Materials industry group
0.94
- Max
- 1.98
- PKG
- 0.94
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
VALE
Materials industry group
0.55
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 0.89
- VALE
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 1.10 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.94 | 0.55 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.92 | 1.20 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 2.21% earns its spot in the top quartile of its industry’s yields; Vale (VALE) at 49.02% is past the top of its own peer range — territory where a dividend-safety check matters more than the headline number.
PKG
Materials industry group
2.21%
- Max
- 4.52%
- PKG
- 2.21%
- Q3
- 1.85%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VALE
Materials industry group
49.02%
- VALE
- 49.02%
- Max
- 4.52%
- Q3
- 1.85%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Vale (VALE) reports payout ratio above 100% at 526.96%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Packaging Corp of America (PKG) reports 67.82%, ranking against industry peers normally.
PKG
Materials industry group
67.82%
- Max
- 83.62%
- PKG
- 67.82%
- Q3
- 41.37%
- Median
- 9.54%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VALE
Materials industry group
526.96%
- VALE
- 526.96%
- Max
- 83.62%
- Q3
- 41.37%
- Median
- 9.54%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.21% | 49.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 67.82% | 526.96% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 30.79 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Vale (VALE) at 72.44 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for VALE’s trailing earnings.
PKG
Materials industry group
30.79
- Max
- 59.00
- Q3
- 32.93
- PKG
- 30.79
- Median
- 18.82
- Q1
- 11.96
- Min
- 3.93
VALE
Materials industry group
72.44
- VALE
- 72.44
- Max
- 59.00
- Q3
- 32.93
- Median
- 18.82
- Q1
- 11.96
- Min
- 3.93
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Vale (VALE) at 0.23 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 2.26 prices around its industry’s middle — VALE costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
PKG
Materials industry group
2.26
- Max
- 9.62
- Q3
- 4.34
- PKG
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.00
VALE
Materials industry group
0.23
- Max
- 9.62
- Q3
- 4.34
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.73
- VALE
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Vale (VALE) at 1.27 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Packaging Corp of America (PKG) at 4.74 carries an above-peer premium to book — PKG is pricier on assets.
PKG
Materials industry group
4.74
- Max
- 6.59
- PKG
- 4.74
- Q3
- 3.55
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -0.17
VALE
Materials industry group
1.27
- Max
- 6.59
- Q3
- 3.55
- Median
- 2.08
- VALE
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -0.17
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PKG | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 30.79 | 72.44 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.26 | 0.23 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.74 | 1.27 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | 17.51% |