International Paper (NYSE:IP) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP) have received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nine research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.96.

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and issued a $61.00 target price (up from $57.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of International Paper from $56.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of International Paper from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $52.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th.

International Paper Stock Performance

Shares of IP opened at $57.66 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.53. International Paper has a 1 year low of $31.76 and a 1 year high of $59.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $49.41 and a 200-day moving average of $45.86. The company has a market cap of $20.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.28 and a beta of 1.02.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $4.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.70 billion. International Paper had a net margin of 2.25% and a return on equity of 6.49%. International Paper’s quarterly revenue was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 1.24 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 15th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.21%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is currently 158.12%.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.50, for a total value of $32,100.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 38,345 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,051,457.50. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Holly G. Goughnour sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.22, for a total transaction of $236,100.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 16,788 shares in the company, valued at $792,729.36. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.50, for a total value of $32,100.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 38,345 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,051,457.50. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 19,440 shares of company stock valued at $938,486 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its stake in shares of International Paper by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 38,833 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,897,000 after acquiring an additional 1,591 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its position in International Paper by 5.7% during the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 3,282 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $160,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of International Paper by 157.5% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 223,245 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $10,906,000 after purchasing an additional 136,548 shares during the period. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new stake in International Paper in the third quarter valued at about $1,006,000. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new position in shares of International Paper during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,762,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About International Paper

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.