Greif (GEF) vs Packaging of America (PKG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Greif (GEF) has outperformed Packaging of America (PKG) over the past year, gaining 37.5% versus a gain of 7.9%. Over five years, PKG leads with a +70.0% price change compared with +27.6% for GEF. Packaging of America is the larger company by market cap ($20.49 billion vs $4.65 billion), about 4.4 times the size.
On valuation, Greif trades at a lower forward P/E (17.2x vs 17.4x for Packaging of America). Greif offers the higher dividend yield (5.06% vs 2.28%). Packaging of America converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.6% versus 6.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | GEF | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $81.88 | $229.94 |
| Market cap | $4.65B | $20.49B |
| 1-day change | -0.35% | +1.18% |
| YTD return | +21.37% | +10.19% |
| 1-year return | +37.55% | +7.93% |
| 5-year return | +27.59% | +69.96% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.05 | 29.90 |
| Forward P/E | 17.17 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.21 | $7.69 |
| Dividend yield | 5.06% | 2.28% |
| Annual dividend | $4.14 | $5.25 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.35B | $8.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.30% | +7.23% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $268.80M | $774.10M |
| Gross margin | 20.65% | 21.02% |
| Operating margin | 7.76% | 12.31% |
| Net margin | 6.17% | 8.61% |
| 52-week high | $90.57 | $259.98 |
| 52-week low | $55.75 | $191.50 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.59% | -11.55% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.72% | +12.59% |
| Average volume | 317.48K | 611.21K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.81M | 89.10M |
| Employees | 12,000 | 16,800 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Packaging & Containers | Containers/Packaging |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Packaging of America is about 4.4 times larger than Greif by market value ($20.49B vs $4.65B).
- GEF has outperformed PKG by 29.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Greif offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.06% vs 2.28%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Greif in Consumer Cyclical and Packaging of America in Consumer Discretionary.
About Greif
GEF stock →Greif, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells industrial packaging products and services worldwide. It operates in four segments: Customized Polymer Solutions; Durable Metal Solutions; Sustainable Fiber Solutions; and Integrated Solutions.
Consumer Cyclical · Packaging & Containers · 12,000 employees
About Packaging of America
PKG stock →Packaging Corporation of America manufactures and sells containerboard and uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper products in North America. The company operates through Packaging and Paper segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Containers/Packaging · 16,800 employees
GEF vs PKG FAQ
Which is bigger, Greif or Packaging of America?
Packaging of America (PKG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.49B compared with $4.65B for Greif (GEF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GEF or PKG?
GEF returned +37.55% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.93% for PKG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GEF or PKG?
PKG has the lower trailing P/E at 29.9, versus 37.0 for GEF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Greif or Packaging of America?
Greif has the higher yield at 5.06%, compared with 2.28% for Packaging of America.
Are Greif and Packaging of America in the same industry?
No. Greif is in the Consumer Cyclical sector, while Packaging of America is in Consumer Discretionary.