Compare Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) vs Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock (WTRG) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Packaging Corporation of America vs Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock — how do they compare? Packaging Corporation of America trades at $229.41 (market cap $20.64B), while Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock trades at $39.82 (market cap $11.15B). The key difference: Packaging Corporation of America is the larger of the two by market cap, and Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock pays the higher dividend (3.67%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Packaging Corporation of America for 47 Days and Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock for 0 Days on average.
| PKG | WTRG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $20.64B | $11.15B |
Volume | 529,375 | 1,760,234 |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Utilities |
52-Week High | $257.43 | $42.00 |
52-Week Low | $191.68 | $36.25 |
Typical Hold Time | 47 Days | 0 Days |
Enterprise Value | $24.45B | $19.66B |
Dividend Yield | 2.59% | 3.67% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $231.65, up 1.68% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, beating in Q1 and Q2 2026 but missing in Q4 2025, while revenue is projected to grow to $9.5B in 2026. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $272.43 price target, and the stock offers a $1.50 quarterly dividend. Recent news highlights institutional investments and upcoming Q3 earnings discussion.
PKG presents a cautious outlook with steady revenue growth offset by margin pressures, as net income is expected to decline to $692M in 2026. The primary opportunity lies in the consensus price target suggesting ~18% upside, but risks include rising costs, competitive pressures, and bearish technical trends. Investors should weigh the dividend yield against earnings volatility and valuation multiples above sector averages.
WTRG trades at $39.29, up 0.36% with neutral technical signals. The stock shows mixed earnings performance with two beats and one miss in recent quarters, while maintaining strong profitability margins (21.6% net income margin). Analyst consensus is bullish with a $44.50 price target, supported by ongoing acquisitions and pending merger developments with American Water.
The stock presents a stable utility investment with moderate growth potential through strategic acquisitions, though near-term earnings volatility and integration risks from the pending merger warrant caution. Current valuation at 20.15 P/E appears reasonable given the company's consistent cash flow generation and defensive sector positioning.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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About Packaging Corporation of America
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 →About Essential Utilities Inc. Common Stock
Essential Utilities Inc. is a holding company for regulated water, wastewater, and natural gas utilities, operating under the Aqua and Peoples brands. It serves customers across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Read more on WTRG →
