International Paper (NYSE:IP) Sees Large Volume Increase – What’s Next?

International Paper (NYSE:IP) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 12,121,580 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 18% from the previous session’s volume of 10,278,588 shares.The stock last traded at $54.90 and had previously closed at $53.88.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $64.00 target price (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, International Paper presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $51.88.

International Paper Stock Up 2.5 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $19.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.19 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $55.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.85.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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, research analysts predict that International Paper will post 3.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.35%. International Paper’s payout ratio is 117.84%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director now directly 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of IP. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in International Paper in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in International Paper during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other 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.