Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for IP Earnings

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of International Paper in a report released on Wednesday, April 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the basic materials company will earn $0.24 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.23. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $1.67 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.30 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.62 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.73 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.72 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.85 EPS and Q1 2028 earnings at $0.79 EPS.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.36). International Paper had a negative net margin of 14.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.35%. The company had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.02) EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on IP. Truist Financial dropped their target price on International Paper from $48.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on International Paper from $51.80 to $50.70 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup dropped their target price on International Paper from $47.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $38.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, March 27th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, International Paper currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $45.48.

International Paper Stock Down 6.2%

IP stock opened at $33.25 on Thursday. International Paper has a twelve month low of $32.92 and a twelve month high of $56.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $39.15 and its 200-day moving average is $40.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.61 billion, a PE ratio of -4.96 and a beta of 1.14.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IP. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the first quarter valued at approximately $249,000. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of International Paper by 100.5% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 32,025 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,709,000 after acquiring an additional 16,055 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC increased its position in International Paper by 20.8% in the second quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 17,345 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $812,000 after buying an additional 2,981 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC increased its position in International Paper by 280.9% in the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 38,092 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,784,000 after buying an additional 28,092 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in International Paper by 8.0% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 33,749 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,580,000 after buying an additional 2,493 shares during the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other International Paper news, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail purchased 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Anders Gustafsson purchased 13,217 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $37.83 per share, with a total value of $499,999.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 26,092 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $987,060.36. The trade was a 102.66% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have purchased 76,092 shares of company stock valued at $2,999,064 over the last ninety days. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About International Paper

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based products, focused primarily on pulp, paper, and packaging. The company manufactures containerboard and corrugated packaging used for shipping and retail display, as well as a range of specialty papers and pulp products that serve industrial, consumer goods, and e-commerce customers. Its product portfolio is oriented toward large-scale packaging solutions, tissue and paper grades, and raw pulp for a variety of manufacturing uses.

Founded in 1898, International Paper is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and is one of the largest and longest-established companies in the forest products sector.