UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Grows Stock Position in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 6.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,138,114 shares of the basic materials company's stock after acquiring an additional 138,395 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned about 0.62% of International Paper worth $115,073,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in IP. SPC Financial Inc. grew its position in International Paper by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $205,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $665,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in International Paper by 14.7% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $86,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $820,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company's stock.

International Paper Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:IP traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $47.78. The company had a trading volume of 781,195 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,688,944. The company has a market capitalization of $25.22 billion, a PE ratio of 30.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.03. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $48.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.99. 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 current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.08.

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

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.87%. International Paper's dividend payout ratio is currently 158.12%.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In other news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.85, for a total transaction of $336,375.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 31,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,413,896.25. This represents a 19.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

IP has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of International Paper from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of International Paper from $64.00 to $59.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "underweight" rating and issued a $40.00 target price (down previously from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $53.86.

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.