CLW vs SLVM

For growth investors, Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) is the stronger pick with 12.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 4% for Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM). Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM) offers the better valuation at 6. 2x trailing P/E (16. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) a "Buy" — based on 10 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.

Over the past 5 years, Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM) delivered a total return of +102.

4%, compared to -54. 2% for Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SLVM returned +102. 4% versus CLW's -76. 6%. 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), Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

79β versus Clearwater Paper Corporation's 1. 31β — meaning CLW is approximately 67% more volatile than SLVM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 95% for Sylvamo Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) is pulling ahead at 12.

4% versus 1. 4% for Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Sylvamo Corporation grew EPS 21. 1% year-over-year, compared to -110. 6% for Clearwater Paper Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, SLVM leads at 10. 1% 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.

Sylvamo Corporation (SLVM) is the more profitable company, earning 8.

0% net margin versus -1. 3% for Clearwater Paper Corporation — meaning it keeps 8. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SLVM leads at 11. 8% versus 1. 2% for CLW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SLVM leads at 24. 9%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SLVM: 11.

5% to $50. 00.

In this comparison, SLVM (3.

3% yield) pays a dividend. CLW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

79), 3. 3% yield, +102. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SLVM: +102. 4%, CLW: -76. 6%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: CLW is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SLVM is a small-cap deep-value stock. SLVM pays a dividend while CLW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.