International Paper Company (IP) vs Packaging Corporation of America (PKG)
PKG leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of International Paper Company and Packaging Corporation of America across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
IP
International Paper Company
$36.56Consumer Cyclical
PKG
Packaging Corporation of America
$232.83Consumer Cyclical
Total return — IP vs PKG
growth of $100 · last 26yIP -18.2%PKG +1840.3%PKG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
IP PKG
IP vs PKG: by the numbers
- •PKG is the larger company ($20.74B vs $19.36B market cap).
- •PKG is profitable (8.03% net margin) while IP runs a net loss (-13.42%).
- •PKG grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.41% vs 4.72% CAGR).
- •IP pays the higher dividend yield (5.06% vs 2.25%).
Which is better, IP or PKG?
Metric tally: IP 4 · PKG 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthPKG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIP(higher dividend yield)
QualityPKG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 28.32 |
| Forward P/E | 26.45 | 22.50● |
| P/S ratio | 0.78● | 2.25 |
| P/B ratio | 1.31● | 4.52 |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 13.31 |
| FCF yield | 2.84% | 3.39%● |
Profitability
| Metric | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.83%● | 20.48% |
| Operating margin | -10.46% | 13.16%● |
| Net margin | -13.42% | 8.03%● |
| ROE | -22.63% | 16.14%● |
| ROIC | -7.64% | 9.44%● |
Dividends
| Metric | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.06%● | 2.25% |
| Payout ratio | — | 60.98% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IP | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.72% | 6.41%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -12.39% | 12.12%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -25.27% | 4.94%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -4.55% | 14.92%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, IP or PKG?
- It depends on your goal. growth: PKG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IP (higher dividend yield); quality: PKG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PKG leads 10 to 4.
- Which has grown faster, IP or PKG?
- Over the past five years, PKG grew revenue faster — IP at a 4.72% CAGR versus PKG at 6.41%.
- Does IP or PKG pay a bigger dividend?
- IP yields 5.06% and PKG yields 2.25% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IP or PKG more profitable?
- PKG runs the higher net margin — IP at -13.42% versus PKG at 8.03%.
- Which has been the better investment, IP or PKG?
- Over the past 10-year, PKG delivered the higher annualized total return — IP at 3.19% versus PKG at 16.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Paper P/E ratioPackaging Corporation of America P/E ratioInternational Paper dividend yieldPackaging Corporation of America dividend yieldInternational Paper ROEPackaging Corporation of America ROEInternational Paper operating marginPackaging Corporation of America operating marginInternational Paper revenue growthPackaging Corporation of America revenue growthInternational Paper free cash flowPackaging Corporation of America free cash flow
International Paper & Packaging Corporation of America appear in these rankings
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 24, 2026.