Graphic Packaging (GPK) vs Sonoco Products (SON)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sonoco Products (SON) has outperformed Graphic Packaging (GPK) over the past year, gaining 12.4% versus a loss of 55.1%. Over five years, SON leads with a -22.1% price change compared with -56.9% for GPK. Sonoco Products is the larger company by market cap ($4.72 billion vs $2.52 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Sonoco Products trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 7.9x for Graphic Packaging). Graphic Packaging offers the higher dividend yield (5.16% vs 4.46%). Sonoco Products converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.3% versus 5.2%.
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 | GPK | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.52 | $47.74 |
| Market cap | $2.52B | $4.72B |
| 1-day change | -1.05% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | -43.43% | +9.40% |
| 1-year return | -55.11% | +12.41% |
| 5-year return | -56.90% | -22.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.91 | 7.39 |
| Forward P/E | 7.94 | 7.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.66 | $6.46 |
| Dividend yield | 5.16% | 4.46% |
| Annual dividend | $0.44 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.62B | $7.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.16% | +41.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $444.00M | $1.00B |
| Gross margin | 18.59% | 20.94% |
| Operating margin | 9.33% | 13.54% |
| Net margin | 5.15% | 13.34% |
| 52-week high | $18.63 | $60.67 |
| 52-week low | $8.40 | $38.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -54.27% | -21.31% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +37.56% | +28.01% |
| Average volume | 5.56M | 1.11M |
| Shares outstanding | 296.07M | 98.88M |
| Employees | 23,000 | 22,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Containers/Packaging | 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
- SON has outperformed GPK by 67.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Graphic Packaging trades at a higher earnings multiple (12.9x vs 7.4x trailing P/E).
- Sonoco Products is more profitable, keeping 13.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.2 cents for Graphic Packaging.
- Sonoco Products grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+41.72% vs -2.16%).
About Graphic Packaging
GPK stock →Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, production, and sale of consumer packaging products to brands in food, beverage, foodservice, household, and other consumer products in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Americas Paperboard Packaging and International Paperboard Packaging.
Consumer Discretionary · Containers/Packaging · 23,000 employees
About Sonoco Products
SON stock →Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in the United States, Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.
Consumer Discretionary · Containers/Packaging · 22,000 employees
GPK vs SON FAQ
Which is bigger, Graphic Packaging or Sonoco Products?
Sonoco Products (SON) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.72B compared with $2.52B for Graphic Packaging (GPK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GPK or SON?
SON returned +12.41% over the past 12 months, compared with -55.11% for GPK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GPK or SON?
SON has the lower trailing P/E at 7.4, versus 12.9 for GPK. 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, Graphic Packaging or Sonoco Products?
Graphic Packaging has the higher yield at 5.16%, compared with 4.46% for Sonoco Products.
Are Graphic Packaging and Sonoco Products in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Containers/Packaging industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.