Zacks Research Issues Negative Outlook for IP Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research cut near‑term EPS estimates for International Paper, lowering Q2 2026 to $0.38 from $0.45 and issuing a "Hold" rating, signaling weaker near‑term profitability expectations.
• International Paper recently missed quarterly EPS (reported ($0.08) vs. $0.28 expected) and has a negative net margin (−14.12%), highlighting short‑term earnings pressure despite revenue growth.
• Notable insider buying has occurred — the CEO purchased 50,000 shares (~$2.0M) and a director bought 13,217 shares (~$0.5M) — with insiders acquiring 76,092 shares (~$3.0M) in the past 90 days.

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for International Paper in a research note issued to investors on Friday, March 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the basic materials company will earn $0.38 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.45. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Paper's current full-year earnings is $2.77 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper's Q4 2026 earnings at $0.61 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.84 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.73 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.86 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.80 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $3.47 EPS.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on IP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on International Paper from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Truist Financial set a $48.00 target price on International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of International Paper in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on International Paper from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, International Paper presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $48.06.

International Paper Price Performance

IP stock opened at $33.68 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.02 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $42.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.28. International Paper has a 52-week low of $33.57 and a 52-week high of $56.64.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 business earned ($0.02) earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 53.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its position in shares of International Paper by 452.6% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 525 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 344 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC boosted its stake in International Paper by 115.4% during the fourth quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 784 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 5,875 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other news, Director Anders Gustafsson bought 13,217 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $37.83 per share, for a total transaction of $499,999.11. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 26,092 shares in the company, valued at approximately $987,060.36. This represents a 102.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail purchased 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, January 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.98 per share, for a total transaction of $1,999,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 50,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders purchased 76,092 shares of company stock worth $2,999,064. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

More International Paper News

Here are the key news stories impacting International Paper this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Announced a new 468,000 sq. ft. sustainable packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi — this adds packaging capacity, supports demand for sustainable packaging and reinforces long‑term growth/ESG positioning. International Paper Plans to Build New Sustainable Packaging Facility in Rankin County, Mississippi
• Positive Sentiment: Some analyst optimism remains: a recent consensus summary shows analysts giving the stock a “Moderate Buy,” indicating pockets of support among the street. International Paper Company NYSE: IP Receives Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised a couple of fourth-quarter estimates (Q4 2026 and Q4 2027) — small upward tweaks to later-quarter forecasts that suggest some improvement in expected end‑of‑year results. MarketBeat - International Paper analyst notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its price target from $40 to $38 but kept an “equal weight” rating — reduces upside expectations modestly while leaving the rating unchanged. Benzinga coverage of Wells Fargo price target change
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage notes that IP has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year; analysts are cautiously optimistic but the relative performance narrative can keep investors hesitant. Is International Paper Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut several near‑term quarterly EPS estimates (multiple trims to Q1–Q3 2026 and Q1–Q3 2027), signaling weaker near‑term profitability expectations that can pressure the stock. MarketBeat - International Paper analyst updates
• Negative Sentiment: Fundamental headwinds remain visible from past results — recent quarterly results showed an EPS miss and negative net margin, underscoring short‑term profit pressure and contributing to bearish sentiment.

International Paper Company Profile

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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