FirstEnergy Corp. vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? FirstEnergy Corp. trades at $48.98 (market cap $28.13B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $232.19 (market cap $20.30B). The key difference: FirstEnergy Corp. is the larger of the two by market cap, and FirstEnergy Corp. pays the higher dividend (3.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FE | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $28.13B | $20.30B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $51.91 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $40.30 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $56.14B | $24.13B |
Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 2.63% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
FirstEnergy (FE) trades at $49.22, up 1.63% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows consistent revenue growth, reaching $15.09B in 2025, and maintains a net income margin of 6.86%. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $52.00 price target, supported by strong cash flow from operations of $3.70B. Recent news highlights growth from data center demand and a $36B investment plan.
Outlook remains positive due to strategic investments and rising energy demand, but risks include high debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers steady growth potential with a dividend yield, though investors should monitor execution of capital expenditures and interest rate impacts on financing costs.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $231.88, up 2.71% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 8.04% and ROE of 16.21%, though recent earnings have been mixed with a Q1 2026 beat but misses in prior quarters. The company announced a 20% dividend increase to $6.00 annually, reflecting confidence in cash flow. Revenue grew to $9.2 billion in 2026, but net income dipped to $741 million, indicating margin pressure from input costs.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $256.14 offering ~10% upside, supported by analyst buy ratings (34.62%) but tempered by hold majority (57.69%). Key risks include elevated P/E of 27.69, earnings volatility, and cost inflation. Investors should weigh solid fundamentals against near-term execution challenges and macroeconomic headwinds affecting industrial demand.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
FirstEnergy is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States with 10 regulated distribution companies across six mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states. FirstEnergy also owns and operates one of the nation's largest electric transmission systems with 24,000 miles of lines.
Read more on FE →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 →