Packaging of AmericaMEX:PKG 88 Operating Margin % is 11.51% as of Mar. 2026, which is 21% below its 10-year median of 14.54. GuruFocus rates MEX:PKG with a GF Score™ of 88/100 and a GF Value™ of MXN3,726.44. The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 393 Packaging & Containers companies, Packaging of America ranks better than 88.8% on this metric.
The historical rank and industry rank for Packaging of America's Operating Margin % or its related term are showing as below:
MEX:PKG'
s Operating Margin % Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 12.46 Med: 14.54 Max: 17.48
Current: 13.4
MEX:PKG's Operating Margin % is ranked better than 88.8% of 393
companies
in the Packaging & Containers industry
Industry Median: 5.24
vs MEX:PKG: 13.40
Packaging of America's 5-Year Average Operating Margin % Growth Rate was -0.50% per year.
Packaging of America (MEX:PKG) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
Packaging of America Operating Margin % Related Terms
Packaging of America Operating Margin % Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Packaging of America's Operating Margin % can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
MEX:PKG vs AMCR, IP, SW: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Packaging & Containers subindustry, Packaging of America's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating Margin % data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Packaging of America Operating Margin % vs Packaging & Containers Industry
For the Packaging & Containers industry and Consumer Cyclical sector, Packaging of America's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Packaging of America's Operating Margin % falls into.
Packaging of America Operating Margin % Calculation
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
Packaging of America's Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Packaging of America (MEX:PKG) has a Operating Margin % of 11.51% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Packaging of America and its competitors. This is 21% below median its historical median of 14.54. Over the past decade, Packaging of America's Operating Margin % has ranged from 12.46 to 17.48. According to the industry distribution chart, Packaging of America ranks #44 out of 393 companies in the Packaging & Containers industry, placing it in the top 11.2%.
Is Packaging of America's Operating Margin % too high?
Packaging of America's current Operating Margin % of 11.51% is 21% below median its 10-year median of 14.54. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 12.46 to a high of 17.48. The Packaging & Containers industry median Operating Margin % is 5.24. Packaging of America's value of 11.51% is 119.7% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Packaging of America ranks #44 out of 393 companies in the Packaging & Containers industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Packaging of America has a GF Score™ of 88/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Packaging of America's Operating Margin % compare to AMCR and IP?
According to the Packaging & Containers industry distribution chart, Packaging of America ranks #44 out of 393 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Packaging of America in the top 11% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 5.24. Packaging of America's value of 11.51% is 119.7% above this benchmark. Historically, Packaging of America's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 12.46 to 17.48 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 14.54 vs. the industry median of 5.24, Packaging of America has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Operating Margin % for a Packaging & Containers company?
The median Operating Margin % among Packaging & Containers companies is 5.24, based on 393 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Packaging of America's current Operating Margin % of 11.51% is 119.7% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Packaging of America and its competitors. For the Packaging & Containers industry, the median Operating Margin % is 5.24 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Packaging of America's current Operating Margin % is 11.51%, which is 21% below median its own 10-year median of 14.54. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Packaging of America stock overvalued right now?
Packaging of America (MEX:PKG) has a current Operating Margin % of 11.51%. The stock's GF Value™ is MXN3,726.44, compared to a current price of MXN4,059.68 — trading 8.9% above its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 11.51%, which is 21% below median its 10-year median of 14.54 and 119.7% above the Packaging & Containers industry median of 5.24. Packaging of America's overall GF Score™ is 88/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Packaging of America (MEX:PKG), the current Operating Margin % is 11.51% as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Packaging of America (MEX:PKG) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Packaging of America stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of MXN4,059.68 is trading 8.9% above its estimated GF Value™ of MXN3,726.44.
Key valuation signals for MEX:PKG:
Operating Margin %: 11.51% (21% below median its 10-year median of 14.54)
GF Value™: MXN3,726.44 vs. price of MXN4,059.68 (8.9% above fair value)
Industry Position: 119.7% above the Packaging & Containers median (#44 of 393)
No single metric tells the full story. See the MEX:PKG stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Packaging Corp. of America is the third-largest containerboard and corrugated packaging manufacturer in the United States. It produces over 5 million tons of containerboard annually. The company's share of the domestic containerboard market is roughly 10%. PCA differentiates itself from larger competitors by focusing on smaller customers and operating with a high degree of flexibility.
88GF Score
Get the complete analysis for MEX:PKG
Operating Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
MEX:PKG has been successfully added to your 
