International Paper (NYSE:IP) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the eleven analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $55.32.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com lowered International Paper from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 28th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $64.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock.

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International Paper Trading Down 2.6 %

NYSE IP traded down $1.29 during trading on Friday, reaching $47.89. 8,125,261 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,480,998. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $54.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market cap of $25.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. International Paper has a fifty-two week low of $33.16 and a fifty-two week high of $60.36.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. Analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. International Paper's payout ratio is presently 117.83%.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SPC Financial Inc. grew its holdings in International Paper by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $759,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of International Paper by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $665,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its holdings in International Paper by 14.7% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its position in International Paper by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $820,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company's stock.

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.