Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) vs Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL)

RL leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Packaging Corporation of America and Ralph Lauren Corporation 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).

Compare

Total return — PKG vs RL

growth of $100 · last 26y
PKG +1840.3%RL +2525.9%RL compounded faster
01k2kStart $10020052010201520202025$1,940$2,626
PKG RL

PKG vs RL: by the numbers

  • RL is the larger company ($24.83B vs $20.74B market cap).
  • RL trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.94 vs 28.32 P/E).
  • RL converts more revenue to profit (11.60% vs 8.03% net margin).
  • RL grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.01% vs 6.41% CAGR).
  • PKG pays the higher dividend yield (2.25% vs 0.90%).

Which is better, PKG or RL?

Metric tally: PKG 5 · RL 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRL(lower P/E)
GrowthRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePKG(higher dividend yield)
QualityRL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricPKGRL
P/E ratio28.3226.94
Forward P/E22.5022.20
P/S ratio2.253.12
P/B ratio4.528.93
PEG ratio2.340.71
EV / EBITDA13.3118.68
FCF yield3.39%2.94%

Profitability

MetricPKGRL
Gross margin20.48%69.87%
Operating margin13.16%14.53%
Net margin8.03%11.60%
ROE16.14%33.13%
ROIC9.44%19.62%

Dividends

MetricPKGRL
Dividend yield2.25%0.90%
Payout ratio60.98%23.67%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPKGRL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.41%13.01%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.12%20.37%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.94%22.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.92%30.43%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PKG or RL?
It depends on your goal. value: RL (lower P/E); growth: RL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PKG (higher dividend yield); quality: RL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RL leads 11 to 5.
Is PKG or RL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RL is cheaper: PKG trades at a 28.32 P/E and RL at 26.94.
Which has grown faster, PKG or RL?
Over the past five years, RL grew revenue faster — PKG at a 6.41% CAGR versus RL at 13.01%.
Does PKG or RL pay a bigger dividend?
PKG yields 2.25% and RL yields 0.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PKG or RL more profitable?
RL runs the higher net margin — PKG at 8.03% versus RL at 11.60%.
Which has been the better investment, PKG or RL?
Over the past 10-year, RL delivered the higher annualized total return — PKG at 16.26% versus RL at 17.69%. 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 24, 2026.