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SW vs AMZN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Retail
SW vs AMZN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging & Containers | Specialty Retail |
| Market Cap | $21.82B | $2.92T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $31.23B | $742.78B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $380M | $90.80B |
| Gross Margin | 18.4% | 50.6% |
| Operating Margin | 6.0% | 11.5% |
| Forward P/E | 17.2x | 34.8x |
| Total Debt | $13.77B | $152.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $892M | $86.81B |
SW vs AMZN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) | 100 | 148.4 | +48.4% |
| Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) | 100 | 222.1 | +122.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SW vs AMZN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.35, yield 3.5%
- Rev growth 53.0%, EPS growth 68.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 35.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.35, Low D/E 75.0%, current ratio 1.48x
AMZN is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 7.0% 10Y total return vs SW's 64.1%
- 12.2% margin vs SW's 1.2%
- +43.7% vs SW's +8.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 53.0% revenue growth vs AMZN's 12.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (17.2x vs 34.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 12.2% margin vs SW's 1.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.35 vs AMZN's 1.51 | |
| Dividends | 3.5% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +43.7% vs SW's +8.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.5% ROA vs SW's 0.8%, ROIC 14.7% vs 5.4% |
SW vs AMZN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SW vs AMZN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMZN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMZN is the larger business by revenue, generating $742.8B annually — 23.8x SW's $31.2B. AMZN is the more profitable business, keeping 12.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SW's 1.2%. On growth, AMZN holds the edge at +16.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $31.2B | $742.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.8B | $155.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $380M | $90.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.0B | -$2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.4% | +50.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.0% | +11.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +12.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.3% | -0.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.7% | +16.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -83.6% | +74.8% |
Valuation Metrics
SW leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 31.3x trailing earnings, SW trades at a 17% valuation discount to AMZN's 37.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SW's 7.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AMZN's 20.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21.8B | $2.92T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $34.7B | $2.98T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 31.30x | 37.82x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.23x | 34.77x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.35x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.27x | 20.47x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.70x | 4.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.19x | 7.14x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.37x | 378.98x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AMZN leads this category, winning 6 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 $2 for SW. AMZN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.37x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SW's 0.75x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SW scores 7/9 vs AMZN's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.1% | +23.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.8% | +11.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.4% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.0% | +15.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.75x | 0.37x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $12.9B | $66.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $892M | $86.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $13.8B | $153.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.38x | 39.96x |
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 $16,476 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,188 for SW. Over the past 12 months, AMZN leads with a +43.7% total return vs SW's +8.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AMZN at 36.8% vs SW's 17.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.3% | +19.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.4% | +43.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +63.4% | +156.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -18.1% | +64.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +64.1% | +697.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +17.8% | +36.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SW and AMZN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SW is the less volatile stock with a 1.35 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AMZN's 1.51 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AMZN currently trades 97.3% from its 52-week high vs SW's 79.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.35x | 1.51x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $52.65 | $278.56 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $32.73 | $185.01 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +79.1% | +97.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.2 | 81.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.5M | 45.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SW as "Buy" and AMZN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 30.1% upside for SW (target: $54) vs 13.1% for AMZN (target: $307). SW is the only dividend payer here at 3.50% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $54.14 | $306.77 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 94 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.5% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.46 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
AMZN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SW leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
SW vs AMZN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SW or AMZN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is the stronger pick with 53.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 4% for Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN). Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) offers the better valuation at 31. 3x trailing P/E (17. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — SW or AMZN?
On trailing P/E, Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is the cheapest at 31.
3x versus Amazon. com, Inc. at 37. 8x. On forward P/E, Smurfit Westrock Plc is actually cheaper at 17. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SW or AMZN?
Over the past 5 years, Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) delivered a total return of +64. 8%, compared to -18. 1% for Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMZN returned +697. 8% versus SW's +64. 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 — SW or AMZN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
35β versus Amazon. com, Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning AMZN is approximately 12% more volatile than SW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 75% for Smurfit Westrock Plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SW or AMZN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is pulling ahead at 53.
0% versus 12. 4% for Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Smurfit Westrock Plc grew EPS 68. 4% year-over-year, compared to 29. 7% for Amazon. com, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SW leads at 35. 2% 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 — SW or AMZN?
Amazon.
com, Inc. (AMZN) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 8% net margin versus 2. 2% for Smurfit Westrock Plc — 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 7. 1% for SW. 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 SW or AMZN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) trades at 17.
2x forward P/E versus 34. 8x for Amazon. com, Inc. — 17. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SW: 30. 1% to $54. 14.
08Which pays a better dividend — SW or AMZN?
In this comparison, SW (3.
5% yield) pays a dividend. AMZN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is SW or AMZN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (3.
5% yield). Amazon. com, Inc. (AMZN) carries a higher beta of 1. 51 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SW: +64. 1%, AMZN: +697. 8%), 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 SW 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: SW is a mid-cap high-growth stock; AMZN is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. SW 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.
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