International Paper (NYSE:IP) Lowered to Strong Sell Rating by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research has lowered the stock rating of International Paper from "hold" to a "strong sell".
• The stock is currently trading at approximately $47.08 and has a market cap of $24.86 billion, as well as a reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.20, which missed analyst estimates.
• Institutional investors now hold 81.95% of International Paper's stock, suggesting strong interest from larger financial entities.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) was downgraded by Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper's Q4 2025 earnings at $0.60 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.54 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.78 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.87 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.97 EPS and Q2 2027 earnings at $1.07 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered International Paper from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $55.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Wall Street Zen raised International Paper from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Truist Financial set a $59.00 price target on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. UBS Group began coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and set a $43.00 price target (up previously from $40.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, International Paper currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $55.46.

International Paper Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of NYSE IP traded up $0.91 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $48.94. The company had a trading volume of 3,683,195 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,131,872. International Paper has a one year low of $43.27 and a one year high of $60.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $49.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.77. The stock has a market cap of $25.84 billion, a PE ratio of -489.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.04.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.18). International Paper had a negative net margin of 0.12% and a positive return on equity of 2.63%. The company had revenue of $6.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.64 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.55 EPS. The company's revenue was up 42.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IP. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 32,542 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,751,000 after buying an additional 1,434 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 18,396 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $990,000 after buying an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in International Paper by 125.8% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 439,576 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $23,658,000 after purchasing an additional 244,875 shares in the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S lifted its position in International Paper by 18.7% during the fourth quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 15,897 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $856,000 after purchasing an additional 2,506 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 91,930 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $4,948,000 after purchasing an additional 1,626 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.