RL vs. SW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at RL and SW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ralph Lauren Corporation | Smurfit Westrock Plc |
| Country | United States | Ireland |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 19.90 billion USD | 17.75 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 12, 1997 | June 17, 2008 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of RL 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 | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.96% | -3.41% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.06% | -19.68% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 22.87% | -25.42% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 57.27% | -32.75% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.70% | -7.12% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 43.51% | -36.33% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.78M | 5.67M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.62M | 4.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.26% | 38.68% |
| Beta | 1.52 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
RL
33.42%
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 46.95%
- Q3
- 26.41%
- Median
- 17.82%
- Q1
- 9.41%
- Min
- -8.23%
In the upper quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, RL’s Return on Equity of 33.42% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
SW
5.12%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 33.32%
- Q3
- 19.47%
- Median
- 12.36%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -12.20%
SW’s Return on Equity of 5.12% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
RL
11.28%
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 21.16%
- Q3
- 13.26%
- Median
- 7.68%
- Q1
- 4.48%
- Min
- -3.05%
RL’s Net Profit Margin of 11.28% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
SW
2.06%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 8.67%
- Median
- 5.36%
- Q1
- 3.40%
- Min
- -2.25%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s Net Profit Margin of 2.06% 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)
RL
14.05%
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 28.42%
- Q3
- 20.87%
- Median
- 12.08%
- Q1
- 6.65%
- Min
- -0.12%
RL’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.05% is around the midpoint for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SW
5.23%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 12.87%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 6.39%
- Min
- -0.41%
SW’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.23% 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 | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.42% | 5.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.69% | 2.05% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.28% | 2.06% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.05% | 5.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 69.22% | 19.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
RL
2.04
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 3.07
- Q3
- 2.20
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.70
RL’s Current Ratio of 2.04 aligns with the median group of the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
SW
1.48
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.87
SW’s Current Ratio of 1.48 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)
RL
0.57
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 2.53
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
RL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 is typical for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
SW
0.77
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 3.86
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.23
SW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 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)
RL
85.38
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 85.38
- Q3
- 37.37
- Median
- 8.62
- Q1
- 4.18
- Min
- -32.49
RL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 85.38 is in the upper quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
SW
2.41
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- 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 | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.04 | 1.48 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 0.97 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.57 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 85.38 | 2.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
RL
1.05%
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 4.60%
- Q3
- 3.43%
- Median
- 2.28%
- Q1
- 1.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
RL’s Dividend Yield of 1.05% is in the lower quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
SW
4.71%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.42%
- Q3
- 5.04%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Yield of 4.71% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
RL
24.37%
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 156.63%
- Q3
- 96.75%
- Median
- 57.64%
- Q1
- 34.78%
- Min
- 0.00%
RL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.37% is in the lower quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
SW
63.96%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 63.96%
- Q1
- 27.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
SW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.96% 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 | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.05% | 4.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 24.37% | 63.96% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
RL
23.28
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 76.57
- Q3
- 39.44
- Median
- 22.87
- Q1
- 14.62
- Min
- 7.99
RL’s P/E Ratio of 23.28 is within the middle range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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
19.17
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 19.86
- Q3
- 18.86
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.58
- Min
- 6.36
A P/E Ratio of 19.17 places SW 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
RL
2.63
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 1.80
- Q1
- 0.93
- Min
- 0.28
RL’s P/S Ratio of 2.63 aligns with the market consensus for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SW
0.39
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s P/S Ratio of 0.39 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)
RL
7.24
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry
- Max
- 11.14
- Q3
- 5.70
- Median
- 3.35
- Q1
- 2.02
- Min
- 0.56
RL’s P/B Ratio of 7.24 is in the upper tier for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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
1.21
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.37
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.76
SW’s P/B Ratio of 1.21 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 | RL | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.28 | 19.17 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.63 | 0.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.24 | 1.21 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.52 | 16.95 |