INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY vs Smurfit Westrock plc, two Paper & Packaging stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Neither of these containerboard giants is showing its true earnings power right now. Smurfit Westrock is digesting a large merger, which leaves it at 65.26 times earnings and a 2.1% return on equity. International Paper is working through restructuring charges and running an outright loss, so no earnings multiple applies. The market treats both cautiously and prices them near book, 1.37 times for Smurfit Westrock and 1.39 times for International Paper. Both carry very light debt, 0.05 and 0.06. Dividends are close, 3.66% at Smurfit Westrock and 4.77% at International Paper, and free cash flow yields run 4.13% and 2.68%. These are two big boxmakers mid-transition, priced for patience at $24.7B and $20.6B.
Comparison updated 2026-07-11.
| Metric | IP | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $37.92 | $44.22 |
| Market cap | $20.2B | $23.3B |
| Sector | Paper & Packaging | Paper & Packaging |
| Stage | Growth | Growth |
| Implied growth (priced in) | +16.7% | +13.9% |
| P/E | — | 61.4 |
| P/B | 1.36 | 1.29 |
| P/S | 0.83 | 0.74 |
| EV/EBITDA | 7.3 | 5.8 |
| Revenue growth | +43.9% | +43.3% |
| Gross margin | — | 16.4% |
| Operating margin | — | 3.3% |
| Net margin | -13.8% | 1.2% |
| Return on equity | -22.6% | 2.1% |
| Return on assets | -9.2% | 0.8% |
| Return on invested capital | — | 5.6% |
| FCF yield | 2.7% | 4.4% |
| Dividend yield | 4.9% | 3.9% |
| Debt / equity | 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Current ratio | 1.21 | 1.44 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 6.90 | 1.39 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 7 / 9 | 6 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.