International Paper Company (IP) vs Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW)
SW leads on 8 of 11 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of International Paper Company 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).
IP
International Paper Company
$36.15Consumer Cyclical
SW
Smurfit Westrock Plc
$43.32Consumer Cyclical
Total return — IP vs SW
growth of $100 · last 18yIP +56.4%SW +431.5%SW compounded faster
IP SW
IP vs SW: by the numbers
- •SW is the larger company ($22.72B vs $19.14B market cap).
- •SW is profitable (1.23% net margin) while IP runs a net loss (-13.42%).
- •SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.07% vs 4.72% CAGR).
- •IP pays the higher dividend yield (5.12% vs 4.08%).
Which is better, IP or SW?
Metric tally: IP 3 · SW 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthSW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIP(higher dividend yield)
QualitySW(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 60.47 |
| Forward P/E | 25.66 | — |
| P/S ratio | 0.77 | 0.77 |
| P/B ratio | 1.30 | 1.29 |
| PEG ratio | — | 0.43 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 5.82 |
| FCF yield | 2.88% | 4.38%● |
Profitability
| Metric | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.83%● | 18.42% |
| Operating margin | -10.46% | 6.24%● |
| Net margin | -13.42% | 1.23%● |
| ROE | -22.63% | 2.06%● |
| ROIC | -7.64% | 3.59%● |
Dividends
| Metric | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.12%● | 4.08% |
| Payout ratio | — | 131.81% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.72% | 24.07%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -12.39%● | -16.43% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -25.27% | -3.68%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -5.64% | -1.87%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, IP or SW?
- It depends on your goal. growth: SW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IP (higher dividend yield); quality: SW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SW leads 8 to 3.
- Which has grown faster, IP or SW?
- Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — IP at a 4.72% CAGR versus SW at 24.07%.
- Does IP or SW pay a bigger dividend?
- IP yields 5.12% and SW yields 4.08% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IP or SW more profitable?
- SW runs the higher net margin — IP at -13.42% versus SW at 1.23%.
- Which has been the better investment, IP or SW?
- Over the past 10-year, SW delivered the higher annualized total return — IP at 3.10% versus SW at 4.59%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Paper P/E ratioSmurfit Westrock P/E ratioInternational Paper dividend yieldSmurfit Westrock dividend yieldInternational Paper ROESmurfit Westrock ROEInternational Paper operating marginSmurfit Westrock operating marginInternational Paper revenue growthSmurfit Westrock revenue growthInternational Paper free cash flowSmurfit Westrock free cash flow
International Paper & Smurfit Westrock 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 15, 2026.