International Paper Company $IP Stock Holdings Boosted by Erste Asset Management GmbH

Erste Asset Management GmbH grew its stake in shares of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) by 22.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 149,400 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 27,700 shares during the period. Erste Asset Management GmbH’s holdings in International Paper were worth $5,955,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of IP. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 452.6% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 94.0% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 36.7% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 853 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Price Performance

IP opened at $34.10 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. International Paper Company has a 12-month low of $29.26 and a 12-month high of $56.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $33.66 and a 200-day moving average of $38.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.06 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.36 and a beta of 0.96.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.03). International Paper had a negative return on equity of 0.49% and a negative net margin of 13.42%.The firm had revenue of $5.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.02 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.17 earnings per share. International Paper’s revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that International Paper Company will post 1.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 12th. Investors of record on Friday, May 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 22nd. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -29.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other news, Director Scott Tozier acquired 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $31.30 per share, for a total transaction of $313,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 10,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $313,782.50. The trade was a 40,000.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Anders Gustafsson acquired 13,217 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $37.83 per share, with a total value of $499,999.11. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 26,092 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $987,060.36. This represents a 102.66% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on IP shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded International Paper from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Zacks Research lowered International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on International Paper from $48.00 to $45.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded International Paper from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $38.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane reduced their target price on International Paper from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $43.73.

About International Paper

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based products, focused primarily on pulp, paper, and packaging. The company manufactures containerboard and corrugated packaging used for shipping and retail display, as well as a range of specialty papers and pulp products that serve industrial, consumer goods, and e-commerce customers. Its product portfolio is oriented toward large-scale packaging solutions, tissue and paper grades, and raw pulp for a variety of manufacturing uses.

Founded in 1898, International Paper is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and is one of the largest and longest-established companies in the forest products sector.