Stifel Nicolaus Has Lowered Expectations for International Paper (NYSE:IP) Stock Price

International Paper (NYSE:IP) had its price target dropped by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $51.80 to $50.70 in a research note issued to investors on Monday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the basic materials company’s stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective indicates a potential upside of 1.04% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of International Paper from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $36.00 to $40.00 in a report on Friday, January 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 18th. Citigroup increased their target price on International Paper from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of International Paper from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $48.25.

International Paper Price Performance

NYSE:IP traded up $0.99 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $50.18. The company had a trading volume of 415,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,745,805. The company has a market capitalization of $26.50 billion, a PE ratio of -7.48 and a beta of 1.11. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $41.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. International Paper has a 52-week low of $35.56 and a 52-week high of $57.55.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.36). International Paper had a negative net margin of 14.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.35%. The company had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.02) earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail acquired 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Clay R. Ellis sold 18,819 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.85, for a total transaction of $693,480.15. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of IP. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of International Paper by 7.0% in the second quarter. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC now owns 3,468 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $162,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in International Paper by 36.7% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 853 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its stake in International Paper by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 5,993 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 242 shares during the period. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in International Paper by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,175 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance lifted its stake in International Paper by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 7,750 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

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.