International Paper (IP) 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 International Paper (IP) over the past year, gaining 12.4% versus a loss of 30.7%. Over five years, SON leads with a -22.1% price change compared with -40.3% for IP. International Paper is the larger company by market cap ($16.85 billion vs $4.72 billion), about 3.6 times the size.
On valuation, Sonoco Products trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 10.5x for International Paper). International Paper offers the higher dividend yield (5.81% vs 4.46%). Sonoco Products converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.3% versus -14.9%.
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 | IP | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $31.82 | $47.74 |
| Market cap | $16.85B | $4.72B |
| 1-day change | -1.00% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | -19.22% | +9.40% |
| 1-year return | -30.74% | +12.41% |
| 5-year return | -40.28% | -22.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 7.39 |
| Forward P/E | 10.53 | 7.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-5.17 | $6.46 |
| Dividend yield | 5.81% | 4.46% |
| Annual dividend | $1.85 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $23.63B | $7.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +49.25% | +41.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-3.52B | $1.00B |
| Gross margin | 29.61% | 20.94% |
| Operating margin | — | 13.54% |
| Net margin | -14.88% | 13.34% |
| 52-week high | $50.25 | $60.67 |
| 52-week low | $29.26 | $38.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.68% | -21.31% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +46.86% | +28.01% |
| Average volume | 5.06M | 1.11M |
| Shares outstanding | 529.57M | 98.88M |
| Employees | 62,602 | 22,000 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Paper | 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
- International Paper is about 3.6 times larger than Sonoco Products by market value ($16.85B vs $4.72B).
- SON has outperformed IP by 43.1 percentage points over the past year.
- International Paper offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.81% vs 4.46%).
- Sonoco Products is more profitable, keeping 13.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -14.9 cents for International Paper.
- International Paper grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+49.25% vs +41.72%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: International Paper in Basic Materials and Sonoco Products in Consumer Discretionary.
About International Paper
IP stock →International Paper Company produces and sells renewable fiber-based packaging in North America, Latin America, Europe, South America, and North Africa. It operates through two segments, Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA.
Basic Materials · Paper · 62,602 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
IP vs SON FAQ
Which is bigger, International Paper or Sonoco Products?
International Paper (IP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.85B compared with $4.72B for Sonoco Products (SON).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IP or SON?
SON returned +12.41% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.74% for IP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, International Paper or Sonoco Products?
International Paper has the higher yield at 5.81%, compared with 4.46% for Sonoco Products.
Are International Paper and Sonoco Products in the same industry?
No. International Paper is in the Basic Materials sector, while Sonoco Products is in Consumer Discretionary.