Ball Corporation (BALL) vs Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW)

SW leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though BALL is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Ball Corporation and Smurfit Westrock Plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — BALL vs SW

growth of $100 · last 18y
BALL +338.6%SW +431.5%SW compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$439$532
BALL SW

BALL vs SW: by the numbers

  • SW is the larger company ($22.72B vs $15.17B market cap).
  • BALL trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.52 vs 60.47 P/E).
  • BALL converts more revenue to profit (6.87% vs 1.23% net margin).
  • SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.07% vs 2.41% CAGR).
  • SW pays the higher dividend yield (4.08% vs 1.40%).

Which is better, BALL or SW?

Metric tally: BALL 7 · SW 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueBALL(lower P/E)
GrowthSW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSW(higher dividend yield)
QualityBALL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBALLSW
P/E ratio16.5260.47
Forward P/E14.23
P/S ratio1.120.77
P/B ratio2.721.29
PEG ratio1.250.43
EV / EBITDA10.495.82
FCF yield3.91%4.38%

Profitability

MetricBALLSW
Gross margin15.69%18.42%
Operating margin9.17%6.24%
Net margin6.87%1.23%
ROE16.73%2.06%
ROIC7.83%3.59%

Dividends

MetricBALLSW
Dividend yield1.40%4.08%
Payout ratio24.02%131.81%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBALLSW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.41%24.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.22%-16.43%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.30%-3.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-5.68%-1.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BALL or SW?
It depends on your goal. value: BALL (lower P/E); growth: SW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SW (higher dividend yield); quality: BALL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SW leads 9 to 7.
Is BALL or SW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BALL is cheaper: BALL trades at a 16.52 P/E and SW at 60.47.
Which has grown faster, BALL or SW?
Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — BALL at a 2.41% CAGR versus SW at 24.07%.
Does BALL or SW pay a bigger dividend?
BALL yields 1.40% and SW yields 4.08% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BALL or SW more profitable?
BALL runs the higher net margin — BALL at 6.87% versus SW at 1.23%.
Which has been the better investment, BALL or SW?
Over the past 10-year, BALL delivered the higher annualized total return — BALL at 5.59% versus SW at 4.59%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.