Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) vs International Paper Company (IP)

DRI leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and International Paper Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DRI vs IP

growth of $100 · last 30y
DRI +3148.9%IP -1.1%DRI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,249$99
DRI IP

DRI vs IP: by the numbers

  • DRI is the larger company ($24.45B vs $19.50B market cap).
  • DRI is profitable (8.66% net margin) while IP runs a net loss (-13.42%).
  • DRI grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.79% vs 4.72% CAGR).
  • IP pays the higher dividend yield (5.02% vs 2.81%).

Which is better, DRI or IP?

Metric tally: DRI 11 · IP 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthDRI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIP(higher dividend yield)
QualityDRI(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDRIIP
P/E ratio22.59
Forward P/E18.7426.88
P/S ratio1.950.78
P/B ratio11.841.32
PEG ratio5.44
EV / EBITDA15.82
FCF yield6.29%2.82%

Profitability

MetricDRIIP
Gross margin44.03%27.83%
Operating margin11.62%-10.46%
Net margin8.66%-13.42%
ROE52.55%-22.63%
ROIC11.40%-7.64%

Dividends

MetricDRIIP
Dividend yield2.81%5.02%
Payout ratio67.19%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDRIIP
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.79%4.72%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.54%-12.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)31.89%-25.27%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.11%-3.92%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DRI or IP?
It depends on your goal. growth: DRI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IP (higher dividend yield); quality: DRI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DRI leads 11 to 3.
Which has grown faster, DRI or IP?
Over the past five years, DRI grew revenue faster — DRI at a 12.79% CAGR versus IP at 4.72%.
Does DRI or IP pay a bigger dividend?
DRI yields 2.81% and IP yields 5.02% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DRI or IP more profitable?
DRI runs the higher net margin — DRI at 8.66% versus IP at -13.42%.
Which has been the better investment, DRI or IP?
Over the past 10-year, DRI delivered the higher annualized total return — DRI at 15.48% versus IP at 3.58%. 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 19, 2026.