Packaging Corporation of America vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Packaging Corporation of America trades at $228 (market cap $20.67B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $186.66 (market cap $287.92B). The key difference: Philip Morris International Inc. is far larger — about 13.9× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Philip Morris International Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.18%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PKG | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $20.67B | $287.92B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $257.43 | $200.17 |
52-Week Low | $191.68 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $24.48B | $331.04B |
Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 3.18% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $231.99, down 2.22% with bearish technical signals despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a P/E of 30.13 above industry averages, while profitability metrics indicate solid ROE of 14.79% amid margin pressures. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and CEO participation in industry conferences, though cash flow trends show negative net flows driven by significant capital investments.
PKG presents a cautious outlook with analyst consensus leaning hold (57.69%) despite a $272.83 price target suggesting 17.6% upside. Investment appeal hinges on execution amid cost headwinds, while risks include margin compression and competitive pressures. The technical setup near support at $230 requires monitoring for potential breakdown or reversal signals.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $185.71, up 1.74% with a bearish technical signal. Recent earnings show beats in Q1 and Q2 2026, but the company cut its 2026 profit forecast due to a $500 million impairment and cost pressures. Fundamentals remain strong with a 25.56% net margin and $11.35B net income in 2025, though high debt and illicit market growth in Europe pose risks. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $211.17 price target.
The stock offers a solid dividend and brand strength via IQOS, but faces headwinds from currency swings, energy costs, and regulatory challenges. Upside depends on execution amid margin pressure, with the current price near the low end of analyst targets suggesting cautious optimism for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
Read more on PM →