International Paper (NYSE:IP) Downgraded to "Underperform" Rating by BNP Paribas

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at BNP Paribas from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. They presently have a $48.20 price objective on the basic materials company's stock. BNP Paribas' price objective would indicate a potential downside of 14.51% from the stock's previous close.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of International Paper from $56.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of International Paper from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $61.00 target price (up previously from $57.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Argus upgraded International Paper from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $52.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $51.54.

International Paper Price Performance

NYSE:IP traded down $0.93 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $56.38. The stock had a trading volume of 5,539,787 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,339,423. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $49.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $46.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.53. International Paper has a one year low of $31.76 and a one year high of $59.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.48 and a beta of 1.02.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.20. International Paper had a return on equity of 6.49% and a net margin of 2.25%. The company had revenue of $4.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.64 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that International Paper will post 1.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In other news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.10, for a total value of $27,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 41,002 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,890,192.20. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Clay R. Ellis sold 9,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.83, for a total value of $439,470.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,832 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,433,296.56. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.10, for a total transaction of $27,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 41,002 shares in the company, valued at $1,890,192.20. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 19,440 shares of company stock valued at $938,486. Insiders own 0.55% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Paper

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in International Paper during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of International Paper in the third quarter valued at $9,571,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of International Paper by 88.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 17,839,237 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $871,447,000 after purchasing an additional 8,370,273 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in International Paper by 15.9% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 5,627 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $275,000 after purchasing an additional 771 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 40,947 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $2,000,000 after acquiring an additional 442 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company's stock.

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.