Two Sigma Investments LP Buys 152,374 Shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP)

Two Sigma Investments LP raised its holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 29.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 665,038 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 152,374 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP owned 0.19% of International Paper worth $35,792,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of IP. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 68.8% during 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 boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 48.9% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 26,559,812 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,429,449,000 after acquiring an additional 8,720,575 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 134.8% during the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 3,948,752 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $212,522,000 after acquiring an additional 2,266,762 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $109,201,000. Finally, Slate Path Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $102,796,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company's stock.

International Paper Trading Down 2.0%

Shares of IP stock traded down $0.95 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $47.68. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,695,755 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,851,314. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $48.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.20. International Paper has a 52 week low of $41.50 and a 52 week high of $60.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49. The company has a market cap of $25.17 billion, a PE ratio of 30.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.03.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.38 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.17 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. International Paper's payout ratio is 158.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded International Paper from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and set a $40.00 target price (down from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on International Paper from $64.00 to $59.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $53.86.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 31,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,413,896.25. The trade was a 19.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.