AstraZeneca plc vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $159.07 (market cap $250.84B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $257.2 (market cap $22.70B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 11.1× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.36%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $250.84B | $22.70B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $256.04 |
52-Week Low | $147.06 | $191.68 |
Enterprise Value | $278.12B | $26.51B |
Dividend Yield | 1.97% | 2.36% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at $161.42, up 0.22% today, amid bearish technical signals and merger speculation. The stock shows strong fundamentals with revenue growth to $58.74B in 2025 and net income of $10.23B, supported by a P/E of 24.16 and robust profitability margins. Recent news highlights potential talks with Bristol Myers Squibb, though a senior source denied ongoing discussions (Reuters, 2026-08-05).
The outlook is mixed: solid earnings beats and a 47.5% analyst buy rating support upside, but technical weakness and merger uncertainty pose near-term risks. Long-term growth hinges on execution amid competitive and regulatory pressures, with the stock offering value if merger rumors subside and fundamentals prevail.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $256.04, up 1.3% on the day, with a bullish technical trend supported by moving averages and strong support at $252. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.35, beating estimates, driven by record corrugated shipments and contributions from the Greif acquisition, though net income margins face pressure from rising costs. A $1.50 dividend for H1-2026 reflects management's confidence, with a consensus price target of $269.33 suggesting modest upside.
Outlook: PKG benefits from robust demand and strategic acquisitions, but cost headwinds and a high P/E of 33.08 pose valuation risks. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 34.6% buy ratings, indicating cautious optimism amid margin compression and economic uncertainties. Key risks include freight and input cost inflation, competitive pricing pressure, and execution of integration synergies.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
A merger between Astra of Sweden and Zeneca Group of the United Kingdom formed AstraZeneca in 1999. The firm sells branded drugs across several major therapeutic classes, including gastrointestinal, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, and immunology. The majority of sales come from international markets with the United States representing close to one third of its sales.
Read more on AZN →Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →