Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Boosts Stake in International Paper Company (NYSE:IP)

Key Points

• Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its holdings in International Paper Company by 25.2%, acquiring an additional 46,633 shares during the first quarter, bringing its total to 231,509 shares worth approximately $12.35 million.
• The company reported a net margin of 1.99% and earnings per share of $0.23 for the April quarter, which was lower than the anticipated $0.35, along with a 27.8% year-over-year revenue increase.
• International Paper announced a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 with a yield of 3.32%, despite a high dividend payout ratio of 158.12%.

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its position in shares of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 25.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 231,509 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 46,633 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH's holdings in International Paper were worth $12,351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in IP. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new position in International Paper in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Grove Bank & Trust increased its position in International Paper by 472.0% in the 1st quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 755 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 623 shares during the period. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp acquired a new position in International Paper in the 1st quarter valued at about $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related 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 value of $336,375.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 31,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,413,896.25. This represents a 19.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IP traded down $0.50 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $55.00. 1,735,863 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,594,579. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $49.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $50.89. The company has a market cap of $29.03 billion, a PE ratio of 47.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. International Paper Company has a 12-month low of $43.27 and a 12-month high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.23 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.38 billion. International Paper had a return on equity of 4.05% and a net margin of 1.99%. International Paper's revenue was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.17 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that International Paper Company will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. International Paper's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 158.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on IP shares. UBS Group started coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $43.00 price target (up previously from $40.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Truist Financial set a $59.00 target price on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded International Paper from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $55.65.

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.