Packaging of America (PKG) vs Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Packaging of America (PKG) has outperformed Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) over the past year, gaining 7.9% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, PKG leads with a +70.0% price change compared with +11.6% for WMS. Packaging of America is the larger company by market cap ($20.25 billion vs $9.51 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Advanced Drainage Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (17.1x vs 17.1x for Packaging of America). Packaging of America offers the higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 0.59%). Advanced Drainage Systems converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.0% 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 | WMS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $227.25 | $126.08 |
| Market cap | $20.25B | $9.51B |
| 1-day change | -1.08% | -3.07% |
| YTD return | +10.19% | -12.95% |
| 1-year return | +7.93% | -8.88% |
| 5-year return | +69.96% | +11.63% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.55 | 21.48 |
| Forward P/E | 17.15 | 17.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.69 | $5.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.31% | 0.59% |
| Annual dividend | $5.25 | $0.74 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.99B | $3.05B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.23% | +5.03% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $774.10M | $426.46M |
| Gross margin | 21.02% | 38.27% |
| Operating margin | 12.31% | 20.30% |
| Net margin | 8.61% | 13.98% |
| 52-week high | $259.98 | $179.32 |
| 52-week low | $191.50 | $124.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.59% | -29.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.93% | +45.07% |
| Average volume | 613.68K | 701.53K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.10M | 75.41M |
| Employees | 16,800 | 6,425 |
| 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 2.1 times larger than Advanced Drainage Systems by market value ($20.25B vs $9.51B).
- PKG has outperformed WMS by 16.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Packaging of America trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.6x vs 21.5x trailing P/E).
- Packaging of America offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 0.59%).
- Advanced Drainage Systems is more profitable, keeping 14.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.6 cents for Packaging of America.
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 Advanced Drainage Systems
WMS stock →Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Containers/Packaging · 6,425 employees
PKG vs WMS FAQ
Which is bigger, Packaging of America or Advanced Drainage Systems?
Packaging of America (PKG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.25B compared with $9.51B for Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PKG or WMS?
PKG returned +7.93% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.88% for WMS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PKG or WMS?
WMS has the lower trailing P/E at 21.5, 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 Advanced Drainage Systems?
Packaging of America has the higher yield at 2.31%, compared with 0.59% for Advanced Drainage Systems.
Are Packaging of America and Advanced Drainage Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Containers/Packaging industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.