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

Key Points

• Moderate Buy consensus from 14 analysts (1 sell, 5 hold, 8 buy) with an average 12‑month price target of $46.56, amid mixed recent target changes from firms such as Jefferies, JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank.
• Insider buying highlighted by CEO Andrew K. Silvernail purchasing 50,000 shares at $39.98 and director Anders Gustafsson buying 13,217 shares at $37.83, with insiders acquiring 76,092 shares (~$3.0M) in the past three months.
• Q4 results showed an EPS miss (‑$0.08 vs. $0.28 est.) but revenue beat at $6.01B, up 53.1% year‑over‑year; the stock trades around $36.63 with a 1‑year range of $33.57–$56.13 and a negative P/E.

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the fourteen analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.5583.

A number of research firms have recently commented on IP. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of International Paper from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of International Paper from $48.00 to $46.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. BNP Paribas Exane reduced their price objective on shares of International Paper from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $38.00 price objective for the company.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, Director Anders Gustafsson acquired 13,217 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $37.83 per share, with a total value of $499,999.11. Following the acquisition, the director owned 26,092 shares in the company, valued at $987,060.36. This represents a 102.66% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail acquired 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders bought 76,092 shares of company stock valued at $2,999,064. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 452.6% in the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in International Paper by 94.0% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DV Equities LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company's stock.

International Paper Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of IP stock opened at $36.63 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. International Paper has a 1 year low of $33.57 and a 1 year high of $56.13. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $40.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.39 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.46 and a beta of 1.14.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.36). International Paper had a negative return on equity of 0.35% and a negative net margin of 14.12%.The business had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($0.02) earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 53.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About International Paper

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based products, focused primarily on pulp, paper, and packaging. The company manufactures containerboard and corrugated packaging used for shipping and retail display, as well as a range of specialty papers and pulp products that serve industrial, consumer goods, and e-commerce customers. Its product portfolio is oriented toward large-scale packaging solutions, tissue and paper grades, and raw pulp for a variety of manufacturing uses.

Founded in 1898, International Paper is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and is one of the largest and longest-established companies in the forest products sector.

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