V Square Quantitative Management LLC Purchases 2,559 Shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP)

V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP) by 14.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,753 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,559 shares during the quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC’s holdings in International Paper were worth $1,117,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC boosted its position in International Paper by 88.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 17,839,237 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $871,447,000 after acquiring an additional 8,370,273 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in International Paper by 511.1% in the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,970,432 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $145,106,000 after acquiring an additional 2,484,386 shares during the period. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in International Paper by 125.1% in the 3rd quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,235,846 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $206,921,000 after acquiring an additional 2,354,341 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC bought a new stake in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at $84,526,000. Finally, Artemis Investment Management LLP increased its position in International Paper by 147.2% during the 4th quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 2,019,806 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $108,706,000 after buying an additional 1,202,632 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE IP opened at $56.25 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.83 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $55.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $52.19. International Paper has a twelve month low of $33.16 and a twelve month high of $60.36.

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%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.84%.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.39, for a total transaction of $35,034.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 37,145 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,168,896.55. This trade represents a 1.59 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on IP shares. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. BNP Paribas lowered International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Bank of America initiated coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated 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 given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.88.

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.