IP
International Paper Company
Packaging & Containers
Market Cap$17.49B
5Y Perf.+2.5%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
IP vs AMZN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
Specialty Retail
Market Cap$2.93T
5Y Perf.+123.3%
IP vs AMZN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | IP | AMZN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging & Containers | Specialty Retail |
| Market Cap | $17.49B | $2.93T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $24.97B | $742.78B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-3.35B | $90.80B |
| Gross Margin | 27.8% | 50.6% |
| Operating Margin | -10.5% | 11.5% |
| Forward P/E | 23.4x | 31.4x |
| Total Debt | $10.80B | $152.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.15B | $86.81B |
IP vs AMZN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
IP
AMZN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Paper… (IP) | 100 | 102.5 | +2.5% |
| Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) | 100 | 223.3 | +123.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IP vs AMZN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: IP leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Amazon.com, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
IP
International Paper Company
The Income Pick
IP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.21, yield 5.6%
- Rev growth 33.7%, EPS growth -5.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.21, Low D/E 72.9%, current ratio 1.28x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
AMZN is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 7.0% 10Y total return vs IP's 29.1%
- 12.2% margin vs IP's -13.4%
- +42.0% vs IP's -21.3%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | IP | 33.7% revenue growth vs AMZN's 12.4% |
| Value | IP | Lower P/E (23.4x vs 31.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | AMZN | 12.2% margin vs IP's -13.4% |
| Stability / Safety | IP | Beta 1.21 vs AMZN's 1.50 |
| Dividends | IP | 5.6% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | AMZN | +42.0% vs IP's -21.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AMZN | 11.5% ROA vs IP's -8.5%, ROIC 14.7% vs -11.3% |
IP vs AMZN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
IP vs AMZN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAMZNLAGGINGIP
IPInternational Paper C…
1leads
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IPMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
AMZN4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IP4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AMZN7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
AMZN6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMZN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMZN is the larger business by revenue, generating $742.8B annually — 29.8x IP's $25.0B. AMZN is the more profitable business, keeping 12.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IP's -13.4%. On growth, AMZN holds the edge at +16.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $25.0B | $742.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $154M | $155.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$3.4B | $90.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $553M | -$2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.8% | +50.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -10.5% | +11.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -13.4% | +12.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.2% | -0.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.2% | +16.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +145.8% | +74.8% |
AMZN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IP leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, AMZN's 20.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than IP's 1292.7x.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $17.5B | $2.93T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $27.1B | $3.00T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.92x | 38.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 23.45x | 31.41x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.36x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 1292.71x | 20.58x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.70x | 4.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.18x | 7.18x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 381.09x |
IP leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AMZN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AMZN delivers a 23.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $23 in annual profit, vs $-20 for IP. AMZN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.37x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IP's 0.73x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AMZN scores 6/9 vs IP's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -20.4% | +23.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -8.5% | +11.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -11.3% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -11.6% | +15.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.73x | 0.37x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $9.7B | $66.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.1B | $86.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $10.8B | $153.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -8.89x | 39.96x |
AMZN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AMZN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AMZN five years ago would be worth $17,094 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,280 for IP. Over the past 12 months, AMZN leads with a +42.0% total return vs IP's -21.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AMZN at 37.1% vs IP's 6.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -15.6% | +20.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -21.3% | +42.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.6% | +157.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -27.2% | +70.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +29.1% | +702.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.4% | +37.1% |
AMZN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IP and AMZN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IP is the less volatile stock with a 1.21 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AMZN's 1.50 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AMZN currently trades 97.9% from its 52-week high vs IP's 58.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.21x | 1.50x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $56.13 | $278.56 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $29.45 | $188.82 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +58.8% | +97.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.5 | 74.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6.7M | 45.2M |
Evenly matched — IP and AMZN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IP as "Buy" and AMZN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 39.9% upside for IP (target: $46) vs 12.5% for AMZN (target: $307). IP is the only dividend payer here at 5.60% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | IPInternational Pap… | AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $46.20 | $306.77 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 94 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +5.6% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.85 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.4% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
AMZN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IP leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallAmazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
IP vs AMZN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IP or AMZN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, International Paper Company (IP) is the stronger pick with 33.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 4% for Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN). Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) offers the better valuation at 38. 0x trailing P/E (31. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate International Paper Company (IP) a "Buy" — based on 29 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.
02Which has the better valuation — IP or AMZN?
On forward P/E, International Paper Company is actually cheaper at 23.
4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IP or AMZN?
Over the past 5 years, Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) delivered a total return of +70. 9%, compared to -27. 2% for International Paper Company (IP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMZN returned +702. 2% versus IP's +29. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — IP or AMZN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), International Paper Company (IP) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
21β versus Amazon. com, Inc. 's 1. 50β — meaning AMZN is approximately 24% more volatile than IP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 73% for International Paper Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IP or AMZN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), International Paper Company (IP) is pulling ahead at 33.
7% versus 12. 4% for Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Amazon. com, Inc. grew EPS 29. 7% year-over-year, compared to -527. 4% for International Paper Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMZN leads at 11. 7% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — IP or AMZN?
Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 8% net margin versus -14. 1% for International Paper Company — meaning it keeps 10. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMZN leads at 11. 2% versus -11. 3% for IP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMZN leads at 50. 3%, 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.
07Is IP or AMZN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Paper Company (IP) trades at 23.
4x forward P/E versus 31. 4x for Amazon. com, Inc. — 8. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IP: 39. 9% to $46. 20.
08Which pays a better dividend — IP or AMZN?
In this comparison, IP (5.
6% yield) pays a dividend. AMZN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is IP or AMZN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, International Paper Company (IP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
21), 5. 6% yield). Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) carries a higher beta of 1. 50 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IP: +29. 1%, AMZN: +702. 2%), 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.
10What are the main differences between IP and AMZN?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: IP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; AMZN is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. IP pays a dividend while AMZN 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
Revenue Growth>
%
(IP: 1.2% · AMZN: 16.6%)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.