International Paper (NYSE:IP) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

International Paper (NYSE:IP) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.88.

IP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and issued a $64.00 price target (down from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, BNP Paribas lowered shares of International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, November 13th.

International Paper Price Performance

International Paper stock opened at $54.66 on Thursday. International Paper has a 52-week low of $33.16 and a 52-week high of $60.36. The company has a market cap of $18.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.82 and a beta of 1.02. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $55.55 and its 200 day moving average is $52.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. Sell-side analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.38%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 117.84%.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In other International Paper news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.19, for a total transaction of $33,714.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 37,745 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,120,891.55. The trade was a 1.56 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in International Paper during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management raised its stake in shares of International Paper by 67.0% in the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About International Paper

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.