What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for IP FY2026 Earnings?

International Paper (NYSE:IP) – Analysts at Zacks Research reduced their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for International Paper in a report released on Friday, May 30th. Zacks Research analyst M. Das now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings of $3.48 per share for the year, down from their prior estimate of $3.50. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $2.77 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s FY2027 earnings at $5.54 EPS.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.12). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. The company had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.38 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.17 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Truist Financial set a $59.00 price target on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Citigroup began coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $40.00 price target (down previously from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $53.86.

International Paper Stock Performance

Shares of International Paper stock opened at $47.20 on Monday. International Paper has a 52 week low of $41.50 and a 52 week high of $60.36. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $47.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $52.73. The firm has a market cap of $24.92 billion, a PE ratio of 30.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 52.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 62,623,540 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $3,340,966,000 after acquiring an additional 21,428,455 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 68.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 29,904,546 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,609,462,000 after acquiring an additional 12,191,361 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 48.9% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 26,559,812 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,429,449,000 after acquiring an additional 8,720,575 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 8.8% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 51,798,017 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,763,426,000 after acquiring an additional 4,201,422 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 17,145,485 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $914,712,000 after acquiring an additional 2,782,042 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other International Paper news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.85, for a total transaction of $336,375.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 31,525 shares in the company, valued at $1,413,896.25. This represents a 19.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.92%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 158.12%.

About International Paper

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.