International Paper Company $IP Shares Sold by Stephens Inc. AR

Stephens Inc. AR reduced its stake in shares of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) by 16.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 36,703 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 7,366 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR’s holdings in International Paper were worth $1,719,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rise Advisors LLC grew its position in International Paper by 281.3% during the 1st quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 469 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in International Paper by 50.6% during the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 896 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on International Paper from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on International Paper from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 18th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $57.80 target price on shares of International Paper and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $53.85.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Joseph R. Saab sold 9,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.53, for a total value of $409,770.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 27,673 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,259,951.69. This trade represents a 24.54% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Trading Up 2.6%

IP stock opened at $49.20 on Friday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $47.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $47.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. International Paper Company has a 52-week low of $43.27 and a 52-week high of $60.36. The firm has a market cap of $25.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -492.00, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.10.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.18). The company had revenue of $6.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.64 billion. International Paper had a negative net margin of 0.12% and a positive return on equity of 2.63%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 42.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that International Paper Company will post 2.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1,850.00%.

International Paper 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.