Q4 EPS Forecast for International Paper Lowered by Analyst

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for International Paper in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, August 31st. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the basic materials company will earn $0.78 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.79. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $1.34 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q2 2028 earnings at $0.79 EPS.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.04) by $0.08. International Paper had a negative return on equity of 1.09% and a negative net margin of 14.20%.The business had revenue of $6 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.20 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 11.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $49.00 price target (up from $46.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, July 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of International Paper from $48.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of International Paper from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Seaport Research Partners reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $46.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, International Paper presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $48.75.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $36.36 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $19.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.58 and a beta of 0.93. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $39.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. International Paper has a twelve month low of $29.26 and a twelve month high of $50.25.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its stake in International Paper by 452.6% during the fourth quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing 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 approximately $25,000. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Ascentis Independent Advisors acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other International Paper news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.96, for a total value of $146,860.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 34,248 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,437,046.08. The trade was a 9.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP William Thomas Hamic sold 24,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.20, for a total transaction of $1,009,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 106,952 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,406,422.40. This represents a 18.64% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.21% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently -28.37%.

International Paper News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised several longer-term forecasts. Zacks Research increased its FY2027 EPS estimate to $2.81 from $2.75 and its FY2028 estimate to $3.52 from $3.47. Estimates for Q1 2027, Q3 2027, Q4 2027 and Q1 2028 were also lifted. These revisions could support the stock by signaling improved profitability expectations beyond the current year, although Zacks maintained a “Hold” rating.
• Positive Sentiment: Insider buying provides a modest confidence signal. Recent activity included purchases by executives Anders Gustafsson and Scott Tozier totaling more than $1.3 million, compared with one executive sale. Insider activity is not a fundamental catalyst by itself, but the net buying may be viewed favorably by some investors. International Paper Falls 3.3% as Risk-Off Trading Adds to Post-Earnings Caution
• Neutral Sentiment: Forest-restoration grants are unlikely to materially affect IP’s earnings. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and partners announced nearly $5 million in grants for habitat restoration in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. The announcement may align with International Paper’s sustainability interests, but no direct financial benefit or new company commitment was disclosed. NFWF and Partners Announce $5 Million in Grants
• Neutral Sentiment: A peer comparison offers limited immediate impact. A report comparing Mayr-Melnhof Karton and International Paper provides industry context, but the available headline does not identify a new development affecting IP’s valuation. Head to Head Comparison: Mayr-Melnhof Karton and International Paper
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term earnings estimates were trimmed. Zacks reduced its Q3 2026 EPS forecast to $0.32 from $0.34 and FY2026 EPS to $1.29 from $1.32. It also lowered its Q4 2026 forecast to $0.78 from $0.79, reinforcing concerns about limited earnings momentum in the near term.
• Negative Sentiment: Operating weakness and risk-off trading are weighing on sentiment. International Paper’s second-quarter sales declined year over year, primarily because of lower volumes, while adjusted operating earnings were only $0.04 per share and continuing operations posted a $0.02 diluted loss. Broader market risk aversion, geopolitical concerns and higher oil prices added pressure to cyclical materials stocks. International Paper Falls as Risk-Off Trading Adds to Post-Earnings Caution

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.