International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $54.54.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial set a $59.00 price target on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen cut International Paper from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. UBS Group assumed coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $40.00 price target (down previously from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, May 9th.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 value 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 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. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IP. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 18.0% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 17,586 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $946,000 after purchasing an additional 2,685 shares in the last quarter. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at about $502,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at about $788,000. Korea Investment CORP boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 220.6% during the fourth quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 310,674 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $16,720,000 after purchasing an additional 213,783 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at about $21,307,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

International Paper Trading Down 1.6%

NYSE IP opened at $45.82 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $24.19 billion, a PE ratio of 39.16, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.04. 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 has a 12 month low of $41.50 and a 12 month high of $60.36. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $47.14 and a 200-day moving average of $51.88.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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). International Paper had a net margin of 1.99% and a return on equity of 4.05%. The company had revenue of $5.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.17 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

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

International Paper Company 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.

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