Axa S.A. Boosts Stock Holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

AXA S.A. boosted its stake in shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 205.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 50,342 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 33,886 shares during the quarter. AXA S.A.'s holdings in International Paper were worth $2,709,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in International Paper by 68.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 29,904,546 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,609,462,000 after acquiring an additional 12,191,361 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of International Paper by 48.9% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 26,559,812 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,429,449,000 after purchasing an additional 8,720,575 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $109,201,000. Slate Path Capital LP acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $102,796,000. Finally, Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new position in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $88,443,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 7,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.85, for a total transaction of $336,375.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 31,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,413,896.25. This trade represents a 19.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

IP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Citigroup began coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price for the company. Bank of America started coverage on International Paper in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an "underweight" rating and set a $40.00 price target (down previously from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of International Paper from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $54.21.

International Paper Stock Performance

IP traded down $0.61 on Friday, reaching $44.31. The company had a trading volume of 4,475,657 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,162,187. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $48.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.39 billion, a PE ratio of 28.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.03. International Paper has a 1 year low of $38.10 and a 1 year high of $60.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.12). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. The firm had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.17 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper 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.