Seaport Res Ptn Issues Pessimistic Outlook for IP Earnings

International Paper (NYSE:IP) – Seaport Res Ptn cut their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for International Paper in a research note issued to investors on Monday, March 31st. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Weintraub now forecasts that the basic materials company will post earnings of $0.35 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.38. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $2.77 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q3 2025 earnings at $0.87 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.73 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.84 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.13 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.00 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $3.70 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also commented on IP. Citigroup started coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com lowered International Paper from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $64.00 price target (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $55.32.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE IP opened at $53.40 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $54.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $53.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. International Paper has a 1-year low of $33.16 and a 1-year high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IP. SPC Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of International Paper by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $759,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of International Paper by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $205,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of International Paper by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $665,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in International Paper by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $820,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.83%.

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.