ATR vs PKG

For growth investors, Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) is the stronger pick with 7.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 4% for AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR). AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR) offers the better valuation at 21. 3x trailing P/E (22. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR) a "Buy" — based on 18 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, AptarGroup, Inc.

(ATR) is the cheapest at 21. 3x versus Packaging Corporation of America at 26. 0x. On forward P/E, Packaging Corporation of America is actually cheaper at 21. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: AptarGroup, Inc. wins at 1. 75x versus Packaging Corporation of America's 1. 79x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) delivered a total return of +61.

6%, compared to -15. 3% for AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PKG returned +299. 8% versus ATR's +83. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AptarGroup, Inc.

(ATR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 66β versus Packaging Corporation of America's 0. 76β — meaning PKG is approximately 14% more volatile than ATR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 56% versus 95% for Packaging Corporation of America — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) is pulling ahead at 7.

2% versus 5. 4% for AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AptarGroup, Inc. grew EPS 6. 3% year-over-year, compared to -3. 9% for Packaging Corporation of America. Over a 3-year CAGR, ATR leads at 4. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

AptarGroup, Inc.

(ATR) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 4% net margin versus 8. 6% for Packaging Corporation of America — meaning it keeps 10. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PKG leads at 14. 0% versus 13. 6% for ATR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ATR leads at 29. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 75x versus Packaging Corporation of America's 1. 79x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at 21. 7x forward P/E versus 22. 5x for AptarGroup, Inc. — 0. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ATR: 35. 6% to $169. 67.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) offers the highest yield at 2. 2%, versus 1. 4% for AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

76), 2. 2% yield, +299. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PKG: +299. 8%, ATR: +83. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (ATR (Healthcare) and PKG (Consumer Cyclical)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.