International Paper (NYSE:IP) Short Interest Update

International Paper (NYSE:IP) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 37,640,000 shares, a decline of 21.0% from the January 31st total of 47,670,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 7,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.8 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IP has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. BNP Paribas cut shares of International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Truist Financial restated 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. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.88.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at $403,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at $9,950,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Yoffe Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at $378,000. Finally, LifeWealth Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at $432,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Paper Trading Down 7.3 %

IP stock traded down $4.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $51.26. 7,847,347 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,984,959. 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 has a one year low of $33.16 and a one year high of $60.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.97 billion, a PE ratio of 32.65, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $55.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $53.21.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. Equities research analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is currently 117.83%.

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.