WallStSmart

Packaging Corp of America (PKG)vsSmurfit WestRock plc (SW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Smurfit WestRock plc generates 239% more annual revenue ($31.23B vs $9.22B). PKG leads profitability with a 8.0% profit margin vs 1.2%. SW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.28. SW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 54/100 (C-).

PKG

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 4.0Profit: 7.0Value: 5.0Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 2.34

SW

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.0Value: 5.7Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.31

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PKG0 strengths · Avg: 0/10

No standout strengths identified

SW2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.2810/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

PKG4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.714/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.7x4/10

Moderate valuation

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

EPS GrowthGrowth
-15.5%2/10

Earnings declined 15.5%

SW4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.7%4/10

0.7% revenue growth

Return on EquityProfitability
2.1%3/10

ROE of 2.1% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
1.2%3/10

1.2% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
57.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PKG

Revenue growth of 10.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SW

The strongest argument for SW centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book. PEG of 0.28 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : PKG

The primary concerns for PKG are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : SW

The primary concerns for SW are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 57.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 1.2% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

SW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.96 — expect wider price swings.

PKG is growing revenue faster at 10.6% — sustainability is the question.

PKG generates stronger free cash flow (165M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor PACKAGING & CONTAINERS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

PKG scores higher overall (54/100 vs 54/100) and 10.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Packaging Corp of America

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · PACKAGING & CONTAINERS · USA

Packaging Corporation of America is an American manufacturing company based in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Visit Website →

Smurfit WestRock plc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · PACKAGING & CONTAINERS · USA

Smurfit Westrock Plc, manufactures, distributes, and sells containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products in Ireland and internationally. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?