Jefferies Financial Group Lowers International Paper (NYSE:IP) Price Target to $59.00

Key Points

• Jefferies Financial Group has lowered **International Paper's** price target from **$61.00 to $59.00** while maintaining a **buy rating**, indicating a potential upside of **30.19%** from its current price.
• Six analysts have rated International Paper with a **buy rating**, one a **hold**, and three a **sell**, resulting in an average rating of **"hold"** and a consensus price target of **$56.02**.
• International Paper reported a **Q2 earnings miss** with an EPS of **$0.20**, falling short of the consensus estimate of **$0.38**, despite a revenue increase of **42.9%** year-over-year.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $61.00 to $59.00 in a research note issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a "buy" rating on the basic materials company's stock. Jefferies Financial Group's price target would suggest a potential upside of 30.19% from the company's current price.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of International Paper from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut International Paper from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $54.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Bank of America raised International Paper from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $55.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. 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 objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and issued a $43.00 price target (up previously from $40.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, International Paper has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $56.02.

International Paper Stock Performance

International Paper stock opened at $45.32 on Friday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $48.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.54. The company has a market cap of $23.93 billion, a P/E ratio of -453.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.96. International Paper has a fifty-two week low of $43.27 and a fifty-two week high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.18). International Paper had a positive return on equity of 2.63% and a negative net margin of 0.12%.The business had revenue of $6.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 42.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other International Paper news, SVP Joseph R. Saab sold 9,000 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.53, for a total transaction of $409,770.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 27,673 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,259,951.69. This trade represents a 24.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital A Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 4,273.1% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,137 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 1,111 shares during the period. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new position in International Paper in the second quarter valued at about $260,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of International Paper during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of International Paper by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 15,349 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $719,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in International Paper by 54.2% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 243,599 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $11,948,000 after purchasing an additional 85,672 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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