Greif (GEF) vs Silgan (SLGN)
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 Silgan (SLGN) over the past year, gaining 37.5% versus a loss of 18.6%. Over five years, GEF leads with a +27.6% price change compared with -13.7% for SLGN. Greif is the larger company by market cap ($4.67 billion vs $3.70 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Silgan is growing revenue faster (+10.7% vs +4.3%).
On valuation, Silgan trades at a lower forward P/E (8.6x vs 17.2x for Greif). Greif offers the higher dividend yield (5.04% vs 2.34%). Greif converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.2% versus 4.4%.
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 | SLGN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.17 | $35.05 |
| Market cap | $4.67B | $3.70B |
| 1-day change | -0.45% | -0.45% |
| YTD return | +21.37% | -13.18% |
| 1-year return | +37.55% | -18.56% |
| 5-year return | +27.59% | -13.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.35 | 13.75 |
| Forward P/E | 17.23 | 8.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.20 | $2.55 |
| Dividend yield | 5.04% | 2.34% |
| Annual dividend | $4.14 | $0.82 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.35B | $6.48B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.30% | +10.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $268.80M | $288.40M |
| Gross margin | 20.65% | 17.73% |
| Operating margin | 7.76% | — |
| Net margin | 6.17% | 4.45% |
| 52-week high | $90.57 | $49.55 |
| 52-week low | $55.75 | $33.70 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.27% | -29.26% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.34% | +53.64% |
| Average volume | 314.67K | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 24.81M | 105.68M |
| Employees | 12,000 | 17,320 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
| 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
- GEF has outperformed SLGN by 56.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Greif trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.4x vs 13.7x trailing P/E).
- Greif offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.04% vs 2.34%).
- Silgan grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.73% vs +4.30%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Greif in Consumer Cyclical and Silgan in Industrials.
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 Silgan
SLGN stock →Silgan Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells rigid packaging solutions for consumer goods products in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Dispensing and Specialty Closures, Metal Containers, and Custom Containers.
Industrials · Containers/Packaging · 17,320 employees
GEF vs SLGN FAQ
Which is bigger, Greif or Silgan?
Greif (GEF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.67B compared with $3.70B for Silgan (SLGN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GEF or SLGN?
GEF returned +37.55% over the past 12 months, compared with -18.56% for SLGN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GEF or SLGN?
SLGN has the lower trailing P/E at 13.7, versus 37.4 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 Silgan?
Greif has the higher yield at 5.04%, compared with 2.34% for Silgan.
Are Greif and Silgan in the same industry?
No. Greif is in the Consumer Cyclical sector, while Silgan is in Industrials.