Altria Group Inc vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Altria Group Inc trades at $73.23 (market cap $124.67B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $228.04 (market cap $20.77B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc is far larger — about 6× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Altria Group Inc pays the higher dividend (5.68%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MO | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $124.67B | $20.77B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $74.66 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $54.72 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $145.75B | $24.59B |
Dividend Yield | 5.68% | 2.57% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Altria Group (MO) trades at $72.99, down 1.64% on the day, with a P/E of 15.59 and strong net income margin of 39.52%. Recent earnings show mixed results, beating estimates in Q1 2026 but missing in Q4 2025. Technical indicators suggest a bullish trend with support at $73 and resistance at $75. The company maintains robust cash flow from operations at $9.29B and declared a $1.06 dividend payable in July 2026.
MO offers a high dividend yield and stable cash flows, appealing for income investors, but faces risks from declining smoking trends and regulatory pressures. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $71 price target, though revenue stagnation and debt levels warrant caution. The stock's defensive qualities provide stability amid market volatility.
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) trades at $228.43, down 1.99% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company maintains solid fundamentals with $8.99B revenue and 8.04% net margin, though recent earnings show mixed performance with Q1 2026 beating estimates but Q3/Q4 2025 missing. A 20% dividend increase to $6.00 annually reflects management confidence. Analyst consensus is mixed with 34.62% buy ratings and a $256.14 price target suggesting 12% upside potential.
PKG presents a balanced investment case with attractive dividend yield and analyst upside, but faces earnings volatility and margin pressure. The upcoming Q2 2026 earnings report on July 22 will be crucial for confirming growth trajectory. Key risks include integration challenges from the Greif acquisition and ongoing cost pressures affecting profitability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
Read more on MO →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 →