Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) vs Smurfit Westrock plc (SW)
A side-by-side comparison of Packaging Corporation of America and Smurfit Westrock plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
PKG
Packaging Corporation of America
$252.79Consumer CyclicalAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
SW
Smurfit Westrock plc
$49.39Consumer CyclicalAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — PKG vs SW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yPKG +335.4% (+15.8%/yr)SW +58.5% (+4.7%/yr)PKG compounded faster over this window
PKG SW
PKG vs SW: by the numbers
- •SW is the larger company ($25.91B vs $22.52B market cap).
- •PKG trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.83 vs 52.54 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PKG converts more revenue to profit (7.25% vs 1.61% net margin).
- •SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 6.09% CAGR).
- •SW pays the higher dividend yield (3.62% vs 2.08%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.83 | 52.54 |
| Forward P/E | 24.08 | 21.65 |
| P/S ratio | 2.36 | 0.85 |
| P/B ratio | 4.83 | 1.43 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.31 | 9.17 |
| FCF yield | 3.30% | 3.93% |
Profitability
| Metric | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 20.11% | 17.98% |
| Operating margin | 12.72% | 5.42% |
| Net margin | 7.25% | 1.61% |
| ROE | 14.82% | 2.70% |
| ROIC | 9.27% | 2.90% |
Dividends
| Metric | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 3.62% |
| Payout ratio | 61.19% | 133.41% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PKG | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.09% | 23.17% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.04% | -16.43% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.12% | 1.73% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.57% | 3.96% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, PKG or SW?
- PKG has the lower trailing P/E: PKG trades at 32.83 and SW at 52.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, PKG or SW?
- Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — PKG at a 6.09% CAGR versus SW at 23.17%.
- Does PKG or SW pay a bigger dividend?
- PKG yields 2.08% and SW yields 3.62% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PKG or SW more profitable?
- PKG runs the higher net margin — PKG at 7.25% versus SW at 1.61%.
- How have PKG and SW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, PKG delivered 15.82% and SW delivered 4.46% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Packaging Corporation of America P/E ratioSmurfit Westrock P/E ratioPackaging Corporation of America dividend yieldSmurfit Westrock dividend yieldPackaging Corporation of America ROESmurfit Westrock ROEPackaging Corporation of America operating marginSmurfit Westrock operating marginPackaging Corporation of America revenue growthSmurfit Westrock revenue growthPackaging Corporation of America free cash flowSmurfit Westrock free cash flow
Packaging Corporation of America & 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 August 23, 2026.