International Paper (NYSE:IP) Hits New 52-Week Low – Should You Sell?

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) shares reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $36.30 and last traded at $36.52, with a volume of 7129865 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $36.93.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on IP shares. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of International Paper from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on International Paper from $61.00 to $57.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup lowered their target price on International Paper from $55.00 to $46.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their price objective on International Paper from $42.10 to $40.40 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on International Paper from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $50.67.

International Paper Price Performance

The business’s fifty day moving average price is $45.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.46. The company has a market capitalization of $19.30 billion, a P/E ratio of -365.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.43) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.96). International Paper had a positive return on equity of 2.63% and a negative net margin of 0.12%.The business had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.76 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.33 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 56.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that International Paper Company will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.1%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently -70.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In related news, SVP Joseph R. Saab sold 9,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.53, for a total transaction of $409,770.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 27,673 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,259,951.69. This trade represents a 24.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aberdeen Group plc lifted its stake in International Paper by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 172,267 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $7,938,000 after acquiring an additional 6,972 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 21.4% during the third quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 86,935 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $4,034,000 after purchasing an additional 15,321 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. boosted its holdings in International Paper by 44.3% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 6,133 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $285,000 after purchasing an additional 1,884 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its position in International Paper by 13.1% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 49,234 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,284,000 after purchasing an additional 5,692 shares during the period. Finally, Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 7.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 5,290 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 386 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.