Packaging of America (PKG) vs Sonoco Products (SON)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Sonoco Products (SON) has outperformed Packaging of America (PKG) over the past year, gaining 12.4% versus a gain of 7.9%. Over five years, PKG leads with a +70.0% price change compared with -22.1% for SON. Packaging of America is the larger company by market cap ($20.25 billion vs $4.72 billion), about 4.3 times the size, while Sonoco Products is growing revenue faster (+41.7% vs +7.2%).
On valuation, Sonoco Products trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 17.1x for Packaging of America). Sonoco Products offers the higher dividend yield (4.46% vs 2.31%). Sonoco Products converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.3% versus 8.6%.
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 | PKG | SON |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $227.25 | $47.74 |
| Market cap | $20.25B | $4.72B |
| 1-day change | -1.08% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | +10.19% | +9.40% |
| 1-year return | +7.93% | +12.41% |
| 5-year return | +69.96% | -22.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.55 | 7.39 |
| Forward P/E | 17.15 | 7.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.69 | $6.46 |
| Dividend yield | 2.31% | 4.46% |
| Annual dividend | $5.25 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.99B | $7.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.23% | +41.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $774.10M | $1.00B |
| Gross margin | 21.02% | 20.94% |
| Operating margin | 12.31% | 13.54% |
| Net margin | 8.61% | 13.34% |
| 52-week high | $259.98 | $60.67 |
| 52-week low | $191.50 | $38.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.59% | -21.31% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.93% | +28.01% |
| Average volume | 613.68K | 1.11M |
| Shares outstanding | 89.10M | 98.88M |
| Employees | 16,800 | 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
- Packaging of America is about 4.3 times larger than Sonoco Products by market value ($20.25B vs $4.72B).
- Packaging of America trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.6x vs 7.4x trailing P/E).
- Sonoco Products offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.46% vs 2.31%).
- Sonoco Products grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+41.72% vs +7.23%).
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
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
PKG vs SON FAQ
Which is bigger, Packaging of America or Sonoco Products?
Packaging of America (PKG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.25B compared with $4.72B for Sonoco Products (SON).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PKG or SON?
SON returned +12.41% 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, PKG or SON?
SON has the lower trailing P/E at 7.4, versus 29.6 for PKG. 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, Packaging of America or Sonoco Products?
Sonoco Products has the higher yield at 4.46%, compared with 2.31% for Packaging of America.
Are Packaging of America and Sonoco Products in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Containers/Packaging industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.