WallStSmart

Sonoco Products Company (SON)vsSmurfit WestRock plc (SW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Smurfit WestRock plc generates 317% more annual revenue ($31.23B vs $7.49B). SON leads profitability with a 13.6% profit margin vs 1.2%. SON appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.20. SON earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

SON

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 8.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.70

SW

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.0Value: 5.7Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.28
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

SONUndervalued (+5.0%)

Margin of Safety

+5.0%

Fair Value

$54.15

Current Price

$47.49

$6.66 discount

UndervaluedFair: $54.15Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for SW.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

SON5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.2010/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
8.3x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Return on EquityProfitability
28.9%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.6% YoY

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

SON4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.704/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
1.383/10

Elevated debt levels

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-1.9%2/10

Revenue declined 1.9%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-428.29M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

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 : SON

The strongest argument for SON centers on PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. PEG of 0.20 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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 : SON

The primary concerns for SON are Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth.

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

SON profiles as a declining stock while SW is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

SW is growing revenue faster at 0.7% — sustainability is the question.

SW generates stronger free cash flow (-420M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SON scores higher overall (70/100 vs 54/100). Both earn "Strong 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.

Sonoco Products Company

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · PACKAGING & CONTAINERS · USA

Sonoco Products Company manufactures and sells industrial and consumer packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company is headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina.

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.

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