Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd Makes New $60,000 Investment in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 1,115 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $60,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 67.0% in the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 313.3% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 591 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 448 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in International Paper by 90.2% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 622 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. One 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 company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $55.32.

International Paper Stock Up 10.1 %

Shares of International Paper stock opened at $49.18 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. International Paper has a 12 month low of $33.16 and a 12 month high of $60.36. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $53.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.71. The stock has a market cap of $25.96 billion, a PE ratio of 31.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) 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%. Research analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.76%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 117.83%.

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.