Health score, competitive moat, risk signals, and key metrics at a glance.
Packaging Corporation of America manufactures and sells containerboard and uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper products in North America. The company operates through Packaging and Paper segments. The Packaging segment offers various linerboard and corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers used to protect and transport manufactured goods; multi-color boxes and displays that help to merchandise the packaged product in retail locations; and honeycomb protective packaging products, as well as packaging for meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products. This segment sells its corrugated products through a direct sales and marketing organization. The Paper segment manufactures and sells commodity and specialty papers, as well as communication papers, including cut-size office papers, and printing and converting papers; and white papers. This segment sells papers through its sales and marketing organization. Packaging Corporation of America was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Competitive analysis based on 63 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are positive at ~12.8% on average, but show some variability — pricing power may be sensitive to market conditions.
Consistently high ROE averaging 18.0% suggests a durable competitive advantage and efficient capital allocation.
Free cash flow is consistently positive and growing — a hallmark of a capital-light business that can self-fund growth.
TTM revenue has grown consistently (7 of 7 quarters up), with ~16.2% growth over the period. Strong demand durability.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 63 quarters
Operating margins declined 15.0% — watch for continued compression, which may signal competitive or cost pressure.
FCF/Net Income has dropped below 0.7x in 3 quarters — monitor for earnings quality deterioration.
Debt-to-equity has risen 57.3% recently — increasing financial risk even if the current ratio is manageable.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Share count is stable — no significant dilution or buyback activity.
as of March 2026
Revenue, EBITDA, operating income, net income, EPS, and shares
Gross, EBITDA, operating, and net margin trends
P/E, P/S, P/B, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, and earnings yield
Total assets, cash, debt, book value, and leverage
Operating cash flow, free cash flow, FCF margin, and earnings quality
