Wells Fargo & Company Cuts International Paper (NYSE:IP) Price Target to $38.00

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

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of International Paper in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Argus lowered their target price on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of International Paper from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of International Paper from a “strong sell” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $44.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, November 24th. Eight 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 MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $48.06.

International Paper Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE IP opened at $33.68 on Friday. International Paper has a 12 month low of $33.57 and a 12 month high of $56.64. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $42.61 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.34. 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 company has a market capitalization of $17.83 billion, a PE ratio of -5.02 and a beta of 1.09.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a new position in shares of International Paper during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of International Paper by 94.0% during the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Finally, DV Equities LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting International Paper

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.