International Paper (NYSE:IP) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

Shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP) saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 12,121,580 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 18% from the previous session’s volume of 10,278,588 shares.The stock last traded at $54.90 and had previously closed at $53.88.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on IP. BNP Paribas cut International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.88.

International Paper Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $19.51 billion, a PE ratio of 35.76 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $55.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.08.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. On average, equities analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.89 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.29%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently 117.84%.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In other news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.39, for a total transaction of $35,034.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 37,145 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,168,896.55. This trade represents a 1.59 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in International Paper during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in International Paper in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of International Paper in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

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.