International Paper (NYSE:IP) Price Target Cut to $38.00 by Analysts at Wells Fargo & Company

International Paper (NYSE:IP) had its price objective reduced by Wells Fargo & Company from $40.00 to $38.00 in a report issued on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the basic materials company’s stock.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of International Paper from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 13th. UBS Group downgraded shares of International Paper from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $51.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Argus dropped their price objective on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on International Paper from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, International Paper has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $48.06.

International Paper Stock Performance

Shares of IP opened at $33.68 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The firm has a market cap of $17.83 billion, a PE ratio of -5.02 and a beta of 1.09. International Paper has a 12 month low of $33.57 and a 12 month high of $56.64. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $42.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.43.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.28 by ($0.36). International Paper had a negative return on equity of 0.35% and a negative net margin of 14.12%.The business had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.02) EPS. International Paper’s revenue was up 53.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at International Paper

In other International Paper news, Director Anders Gustafsson acquired 13,217 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost 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 in the company, valued at approximately $987,060.36. This trade represents a 102.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail bought 50,000 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,999,000. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders acquired 76,092 shares of company stock valued at $2,999,064. Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of International Paper by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 64,357,913 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,535,058,000 after purchasing an additional 310,834 shares during the period. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in International Paper by 29.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 63,413,335 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,498,013,000 after buying an additional 14,422,616 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in International Paper by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 54,535,444 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,148,154,000 after buying an additional 204,654 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in International Paper by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 30,009,733 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,182,083,000 after buying an additional 397,673 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of International Paper by 81.6% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 14,832,952 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $584,270,000 after acquiring an additional 6,663,986 shares during the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Paper News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting International Paper this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Announced a new 468,000 sq. ft. sustainable packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi — this adds packaging capacity, supports demand for sustainable packaging and reinforces long‑term growth/ESG positioning. International Paper Plans to Build New Sustainable Packaging Facility in Rankin County, Mississippi
• Positive Sentiment: Some analyst optimism remains: a recent consensus summary shows analysts giving the stock a “Moderate Buy,” indicating pockets of support among the street. International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised a couple of fourth-quarter estimates (Q4 2026 and Q4 2027) — small upward tweaks to later-quarter forecasts that suggest some improvement in expected end‑of‑year results. MarketBeat – International Paper analyst notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its price target from $40 to $38 but kept an “equal weight” rating — reduces upside expectations modestly while leaving the rating unchanged. Benzinga coverage of Wells Fargo price target change
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage notes that IP has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year; analysts are cautiously optimistic but the relative performance narrative can keep investors hesitant. Is International Paper Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut several near‑term quarterly EPS estimates (multiple trims to Q1–Q3 2026 and Q1–Q3 2027), signaling weaker near‑term profitability expectations that can pressure the stock. MarketBeat – International Paper analyst updates
• Negative Sentiment: Fundamental headwinds remain visible from past results — recent quarterly results showed an EPS miss and negative net margin, underscoring short‑term profit pressure and contributing to bearish sentiment.

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.