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

International Paper (NYSE:IP) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report issued on Friday.

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

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $54.82 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $54.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.92, a PEG ratio of 0.39 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. International Paper has a 52 week low of $33.16 and a 52 week high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced 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%. Analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in IP. SPC Financial Inc. boosted its stake in International Paper by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. AlphaMark Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of International Paper by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $205,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in International Paper by 14.7% during 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 buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its position in International Paper by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $820,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.