HBK Investments L P Grows Holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

HBK Investments L P raised its position in International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 467.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 85,242 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 70,217 shares during the period. HBK Investments L P's holdings in International Paper were worth $4,588,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management raised its stake in shares of International Paper by 67.0% in the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 313.3% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 591 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in International Paper by 90.2% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 622 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup initiated coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of International Paper from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 28th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, International Paper has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $54.77.

International Paper Stock Performance

IP opened at $47.67 on Friday. 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 business's 50 day moving average is $51.17 and its 200-day moving average is $53.53. The stock has a market cap of $25.16 billion, a PE ratio of 30.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. International Paper has a twelve month low of $33.16 and a twelve month high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. On average, analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.88%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. International Paper's payout ratio is currently 117.83%.

International Paper Company 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.

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