Donaldson Capital Management LLC Grows Stock Holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

Donaldson Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 27.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 24,818 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 5,390 shares during the quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC's holdings in International Paper were worth $1,324,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Paper in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Paper in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management raised its position in International Paper by 67.0% during the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in International Paper by 90.2% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 622 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new position in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of IP traded down $1.31 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $45.84. 1,212,674 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,326,279. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49. International Paper has a 12-month low of $41.50 and a 12-month high of $60.36. The company has a market cap of $24.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.04. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $47.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.19.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its 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 business had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.17 EPS. International Paper's quarterly revenue was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.04%. International Paper's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 158.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. UBS Group began coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, International Paper has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $54.54.

Insider Activity

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

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.