Q2 EPS Estimate for International Paper Reduced by Analyst

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of International Paper in a research note issued to investors on Friday, March 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the basic materials company will post earnings of $0.38 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.45. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. 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 Q4 2026 earnings at $0.61 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.84 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.73 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.86 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.80 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $3.47 EPS.

IP has been the subject of several other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of International Paper from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. UBS Group lowered shares of International Paper from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $51.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of International Paper from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of International Paper from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $48.06.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $33.68 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. International Paper has a twelve month low of $33.57 and a twelve month high of $56.64. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $42.61 and its 200-day moving average is $42.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.02 and a beta of 1.09.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.02) EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 53.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In related news, Director Anders Gustafsson acquired 13,217 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $37.83 per share, for a total transaction of $499,999.11. Following the purchase, the director owned 26,092 shares in the company, valued at approximately $987,060.36. The trade was a 102.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail acquired 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.98 per share, for a total transaction of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 76,092 shares of company stock worth $2,999,064. Company insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IP. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its stake in International Paper by 452.6% in the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. DV Equities LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 94.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of International Paper by 115.4% in the fourth quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 784 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 5,875 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key International Paper News

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.

International Paper Company Profile

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.