Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for IP Earnings

International Paper (NYSE:IP) – Zacks Research decreased their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for International Paper in a report released on Wednesday, February 12th. Zacks Research analyst M. Das now forecasts that the basic materials company will earn $2.70 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $2.74. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $2.89 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q4 2025 earnings at $0.81 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $0.97 EPS.

IP has been the topic of a number of other research reports. BNP Paribas lowered International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Bank of America started coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, International Paper presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $51.88.

International Paper Price Performance

International Paper stock opened at $56.25 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $55.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.30. International Paper has a 12 month low of $33.16 and a 12 month high of $60.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.54 billion, a PE ratio of 35.83 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.08.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in International Paper by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 47,596,595 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,561,651,000 after buying an additional 368,648 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in International Paper by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,195,085 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,217,119,000 after buying an additional 340,383 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in International Paper by 68.8% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 29,904,546 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,609,462,000 after buying an additional 12,191,361 shares during the period. FMR LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 48.9% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 26,559,812 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,429,449,000 after buying an additional 8,720,575 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,393,217 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $450,586,000 after buying an additional 24,816 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.39, for a total transaction of $35,034.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 37,145 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,168,896.55. This trade represents a 1.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s payout ratio is currently 117.83%.

International Paper Company Profile

International Paper Company produces and sells renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. It operates through two segments, Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers. The company offers linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft; and pulp for a range of applications, such as diapers, towel and tissue products, feminine care, incontinence, and other personal care products, as well as specialty pulps for use in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings, and others.