Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Sells 291,998 Shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lessened its holdings in shares of International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,513,003 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 291,998 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 1.30% of International Paper worth $242,886,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in International Paper by 125.8% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 439,576 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $23,658,000 after buying an additional 244,875 shares in the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP lifted its position in International Paper by 109.2% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 11,429 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $615,000 after acquiring an additional 5,965 shares in the last quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at $723,000. Commerce Bank boosted its stake in International Paper by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 18,396 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $990,000 after purchasing an additional 464 shares during the period. Finally, Arvest Bank Trust Division acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,261,000. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

International Paper Stock Performance

Shares of IP traded up $0.92 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $47.67. The stock had a trading volume of 2,200,143 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,617,651. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $51.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.53. The firm has a market cap of $25.16 billion, a PE ratio of 30.36, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. International Paper has a one year low of $33.16 and a one year high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. International Paper's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.83%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut International Paper from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $54.77.

International Paper Profile

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.