International Paper (NYSE:IP) Receives $55.32 Average Price Target from Analysts

International Paper (NYSE:IP) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $55.32.

IP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Bank of America assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 target price (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock.

International Paper Stock Down 4.5 %

Shares of NYSE IP opened at $44.64 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.43, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $53.38 and its 200 day moving average is $53.73. International Paper has a 52 week low of $33.16 and a 52 week high of $60.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS 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%. Sell-side analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.14%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.83%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in International Paper during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management boosted its position in shares of International Paper by 67.0% during the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in International Paper by 313.3% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 591 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

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.