StockNews.com Downgrades International Paper (NYSE:IP) to Hold

International Paper (NYSE:IP) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America started coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup initiated coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $55.32.

International Paper Trading Down 2.5 %

NYSE IP opened at $53.23 on Friday. International Paper has a one year low of $33.16 and a one year high of $60.36. The firm has a market cap of $28.01 billion, a PE ratio of 33.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $54.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.71. 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 issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share 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%. Analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. SPC Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $759,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC boosted its position in International Paper by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLC grew its holdings in International Paper by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $665,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in shares of International Paper by 14.7% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Paper by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $820,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

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.